HESG - I'd start with the transfer agent before I start worrying about how the various brokers allowed the stock to trade again after several months of restrictions.
I'd think that the TA had a much bigger responsibility in recognizing that the shell was hijacked and the shares being created were not legit.
After the TA, I think I'd blame the SEC more than the brokers for allowing it to trade. The SEC should have stepped in and halted the stock as soon as all the issues began in 2009.
When you read the response given by the TDA agent when the stock first had its trading restricted in December of 2009 it gives you a pretty good idea that there was some significant suspicious of major fraud:
I can surely provide information regarding Health Science Group (HESG). This stock is still restricted from trading for an indefinite amount of time. Closing Transactions only are allowed. Some of the reasons a stock may be restricted to Closing Transactions only include:
Corporate Actions in which a lack of information, confusing terms, or unclear objectives may be involved. All corporate actions should be transparent as to objectives.
Apparent or possible fraudulent activity by a company or it's officers, with potentially manipulative actions to affect a stock price.
Frequent unsubstantiated press releases in an attempt to affect the stock's price.
Deceptive or contradictory statements regarding past or projected performance.
Corporate Identity Theft
Valid companies associated with 3rd parties (i.e. transfer agents, consultants, etc) that have shown a predisposition to any of the above activities.
Companies known or suspected to be involved in Money Laundering activity
We value your business at TD AMERITRADE. Please advise by e-mail or call 1-888-871-9007 if we can be of further assistance.
Geoffrey Bewers Apex Client Services, TD AMERITRADE Division of TD AMERITRADE, Inc.
I really don't know why trade restrictions were lifted several months later (if they were actually lifted)
HESG was slapped with a Cavaet Emptor by the OTC around the same time (December of 2009).
HESG did no financial filings after the hijacking - only press releases and fraudulent 8Ks.
The warning signs couldn't have been any bigger that there were serious issues surrounding the way Tom Gaffney took over and was using the shell.
Starting a new business entity by the same exact name of the abandoned shell with lots of overdue taxes that really belonged to the HESG ticker then moving that fake entity to Florida so that the Authorized share count could be raised to 20,000,000,000.
I know you read my post about the details of the hijacking: