I'll leave the courts to determine whether it amounted to criminality, but I would be personally surprised if it did not!
The DOJ definitely seems to think so!
BERMAN used an alias to post positive messages about DECN's business and operations on investor message boards, in order to artificially increase and maintain the share of DECN securities; (SECURITIES FRAUD?)
Obviously, the DOJ believes Berman's egregious use of a message board alias to pump DECN was illegal and this violation was specifically cited in the DOJ's 2nd charge against our man Keith. No examples from this Board needed! The DOJ is on it!