1.   The charges included racketeering, conspiracy, bank fraud, securities fraud, misapplication of funds and interstate transportation of stolen property.

2.   Already, dozens of class actions alleging securities fraud and related claims have been filed in federal court in Houston.

3.   Among the cases were a number of civil actions involving corporations controlled by the financier Ivan F. Boesky, who pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of securities fraud.

4.   An executive of the firm recently pleaded guilty in Manhattan to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and launder money, and law enforcement officials say the investigation is continuing.

5.   And last Tuesday, Kirk was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and to obstruct justice.

6.   And virtually the only people who benefit from that are those who wish to commit securities fraud.

7.   Anderson and Kerns have previously been enjoined not to commit securities fraud by state regulators, the SEC said.

8.   As Gardner sees it, Internet securities fraud is driven by ignorance.

9.   At the time, he was under investigation by the SEC for securities fraud in Ohio and would soon accept a settlement that barred him from the securities business.