BOHO, I have something to add to your DD on the SEC thing. I know you have been studying up! Good for you! Just wanted you to know I was NOT trying to mislead or didn't understand what I had read and was sent by the SEC. ;)
>INFORMATION ABOUT SEC INVESTIGATIONS
>
>Each year, thousands of investors ask the Securities and Exchange
>Commission to investigate the activities of other investors, financial
>professionals, corporations, brokerage firms, investment companies,
>stock exchanges, and others. These complaints generally suggest some
>impropriety or misconduct and sometimes make a plea to the SEC for
>direct assistance in resolving a grievance.
>
>The SEC has the authority to investigate whether violations of the
>federal securities laws have occurred, and we make every effort to
>evaluate promptly and thoroughly the information provided by investors.
>But we cannot investigate every investor complaint. While many
>investor complaints do lead to full investigations and, if appropriate,
>to enforcement actions, we cannot guarantee that our review will lead
>to further investigation or that the SEC will take any legal action.
>
>We also cannot provide you with updates on the status of your complaint
>or your request for an investigation. The SEC generally conducts
>investigations confidentially for two main reasons. First, we can
>conduct investigations more effectively if they are not announced
>publicly. For instance, important documents and evidence can be
>destroyed quickly if people hear of an investigation. Second, we keep
>our investigations confidential to protect the reputations of companies
>and individuals if we find no wrongdoing or decide we cannot bring a
>successful action against them. The SEC will not typically confirm or
>deny the existence of an investigation unless, and until, it becomes a
>matter of public record as the result of a court action or administrative
proceeding.
>
>When there is proof that someone has violated the securities laws, the
>sanctions may include financial penalties, orders to surrender profits,
>cease and desist orders, or an injunction by a court to prevent further
>violations. The SEC may also bar individuals from working for a
>securities firm, investment adviser, or investment company. We can
>also ask a federal court to bar individuals from being officers and
>directors of publicly held companies. In some situations, we may refer
>a case to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution.
>
>The SEC publishes news releases about its lawsuits and administrative
>actions, and the news media often report on them. You can read and
>download the SEC's ""Enforcement Actions"" on our website at
>www.sec.gov/divisions/enforce/enforceactions.shtml. Or you can obtain
>hard copies by contacting us at:
>
>Office of Public Reference
>100 F Street, N.E.
>Washington, DC 20549-0102
>Phone: (202) 551-8090
>Fax: (202) 777-1027
>E-mail: publicinfo@sec.gov
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