Federal Trade Commission Brings First-Ever Cases Under the BOTS Act

Federal Trade Commission Brings First-Ever Cases Under the BOTS Act | site |



FTC says ticket brokers will face partially suspended judgment of more than $31 million in civil penalties


(Information extracted from Federal Trade Commission [FTC] press release dated: January 22, 2021) The Federal Trade Commission is taking legal action against three ticket brokers based in New York who allegedly used automated software to illegally buy up tens of thousands of tickets for popular concerts and sporting events, then subsequently made millions of dollars reselling the tickets to fans at higher prices. The three ticket brokers will be subject to a judgment of more than $31 million in civil penalties for violating the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, under a proposed settlement reached with the FTC. Due to their inability to pay, the judgment will be partially suspended, requiring them to pay $3.7 million. This is the first case br...

Allison Herren Lee Named Acting Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: January 21, 2021)

Washington D.C., Jan. 21, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has designated Allison Herren Lee as Acting Chair of the agency. “It’s an honor to continue my service on the Commission in this new role,” Acting Chair Lee said. “I have tremendous respect for my colleagues on the Commission and the exceptional staff across the agency, and look forward to working closely with them. Together we will continue the agency’s work of protecting investors and ensuring market integrity.” “During my time as Commissioner, I have focused on climate and sustainability, and those issues will continue to be a priority for me,” Lee added. Acting Chair Lee was sworn in as Commissio...

Jessica Rosenworcel Designated the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden | site |



(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: January 21, 2021)

Washington, January 21, 2021 - - Today, President Joseph R. Biden designated FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel as Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission.


Statement of Jessica Rosenworcel on being Designated the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden:

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“I am honored to be designated as the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden. I thank the President for the opportunity to lead an agency with such a vital mission and talented staff. It is a privilege to serve the American people and work on their behalf to expand the reach of communications opportunity in the digital age.”

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Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter Designated Acting Chair of the Agency | site |



(Information contained in Federal Trade Commission [FTC] press release dated: January 21, 2021) President Joseph R. Biden designated Rebecca Kelly Slaughter as Acting Chair of the Federal Trade Commission. Slaughter has served as a Commissioner since May 2018. “I am deeply honored and grateful to lead an agency that is critical to helping the U.S. economy get back on its feet and function more fairly for all Americans,” Slaughter said. “I want to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent leadership of Chairman Simons during a time of unprecedented challenges.” As a Commissioner, Slaughter has been an advocate for greater resources for the FTC and promoted equity and inclusion efforts. She has championed aggressive use of the FTC’s authorities. She has also been particularly outspoken about combatting systemic racism, g...

Federal Trade Commission Publishes Annual Performance Report | site |


(Information contained in Federal Trade Commission [FTC] press release dated: January 19, 2021)

The Federal Trade Commission published its Fiscal Year 2020 Performance Report as required under the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010. The report documents the progress made by the Commission in achieving the mission and performance goals established in the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Performance Plan. Also, as required by the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act during a transition in administration, the Commission will submit its Fiscal 2021-2022 Performance Plan along with its Fiscal Year 2022 budget request in support of the President’s FY 2022 budget for the federal government later this year.

The Commission vote to submit the Performance Report to Congress was 5-0....

Chairman Pai Statement upon departing the Federal Communications Commission | site |



(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] statement release dated: January 20, 2021) Washington, January 20, 2021 - - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today concluded his four years as Chairman, eight years as a Commissioner, and twelve years as an employee of the agency. Chairman Pai issued the following statement as he prepared to formally submit his resignation: “Serving the American people as Chairman of the FCC has been the greatest honor of my professional life. Over the past four years, we have delivered results for the American people, from narrowing the digital divide to advancing American leadership in 5G, from protecting consumers and national security to keeping Americans connected during the pandemic, from modernizing our media rules to making the agency more transparent and nimble. It has been a privilege to...

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Simons Announces his Resignation | site |



(Information contained in Federal Trade Commission [FTC] press release dated: January 19, 2021) Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph J. Simons announced his resignation from the Commission today, effective January 29, 2021. “It’s been a great honor to lead this incredible organization filled with so many talented people working on behalf of American consumers,” Simons said. “As technology and our economy continue to evolve through the digital age, the FTC’s staff work tirelessly so that consumers continue to benefit from a fair and competitive marketplace. It’s been a privilege to be part of that effort.” Simons was sworn in as Chairman of the FTC on May 1, 2018, having previously served as Director of the agency’s Bureau of Competition between 2001 and 2003 and in other senior positions in the Bureau during the 1980s. As Chairman, he has focused on vigo...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announces Fee Rate Advisory #2 for Fiscal Year 2021 | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: January 15, 2021) Washington D.C., Jan. 15, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that starting on February 25, 2021, the fee rates applicable to most securities transactions will be set at $5.10 per million dollars. Consequently, each SRO will continue to pay the Commission a rate of $22.10 per million for covered sales occurring on charge dates through February 24, 2021, and a rate of $5.10 per million for covered sales occurring on charge dates on or after February 25, 2021. The reduction in the fee rate for fiscal year 2021 is due primarily to the substantially higher dollar amount of covered sales in recent months, a trend that began in March of 2020 due to record market volume during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has re...

Federal Election Commission approves Advisory Opinion, Audit Documents | site |



(Information contained in Federal Election Commission [FEC] press release dated: January 14, 2021)

Washington - - The Federal Election Commission today unanimously approved an advisory opinion and an Audit Division recommendation memorandum. The Commission approved a Proposed Final Audit Report and another recommendation memorandum in a tally vote prior to its open meeting, and it held over discussion of a third recommendation memorandum.

Welcoming Remarks Chair Shana M. Broussard opened the meeting today with remarks based on a written statement.

Advisory Opinion 2020-02 (Bertrand) The Commission approved an advisory opinion in response to a request from Jean-Marc Bertrand, agreeing to a revised final text in a tally vote completed after the open meeting. Based on Mr. Bertrand’s representation that he is a U.S. citizen, the Commission...

Federal Election Commission publishes Statistical Summary of 21-Month Campaign Activity of the 2019-2020 Election Cycle | site |



(Information contained in Federal Election Commission [FEC] press release dated: January 13, 2021) Presidential candidates raised $3.6 billion and spent over $3.3 billion in the first 21 months of the 2019-2020 election cycle, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission that cover activity from January 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. Congressional candidates collected approximately $3 billion and disbursed approximately $2.3 billion, political parties received $2.2 billion and spent nearly $1.8 billion, and political action committees (PACs) raised approximately $9.1 billion and spent nearly $8.2 billion in the 21-month period. Disbursements for independent expenditures reported in this period totaled $1.4 billion. Electioneering communications and communication costs reported to the Commiss...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issues Over $1.1 Million to Multiple Whistleblowers | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: January 7, 2021)

Washington D.C., Jan. 7, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today announced awards totaling more than $1.1 million to five whistleblowers who provided high-quality information that led to successful enforcement actions. In the first order, the SEC awarded three whistleblowers almost $500,000 in connection with two related enforcement actions. The first whistleblower provided information that prompted the opening of an investigation. The second and third whistleblowers provided information that significantly contributed to the success of the actions, and contributed additional, helpful assistance to the investigative staff. In the second order, the SEC awarded nearly $600,000 to a whistleblower whose information cause...

Remarks of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to the Free State Foundation | site |




(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] speech release: January 8, 2021)

REMARKS OF FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI
TO THE FREE STATE FOUNDATION

JANUARY 8, 2021

Good morning, everybody. It’s great to be with you. Thanks to Randy May and everybody at the Free State Foundation for hosting me. More important, thanks to Randy and everybody at Free State for your work over the years. From your steadfast advocacy for a market-based regulatory framework to your thoughtful proposals for FCC process reform, you’ve helped build an intellectual foundation for important changes to what we do and how we do it. As for me? Well, I’m now in the home stretch, with just days remaining in my tenure. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll surely see stories assessing my time in the FCC’s top...

Federal Communications Commission announces tentative Agenda for January Open Meeting | site |



(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: December 23, 2020) Washington, December 23, 2020 - - —Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced the tentative agenda for the January Open Commission Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Bureau, Office, and Task Force leaders will summarize the work their teams have done over the last four years in a series of presentations: Panel One – The Commission will hear presentations from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, International Bureau, Office of Engineering and Technology, and Office of Economics and Analytics. Panel Two – The Commission will hear presentations from the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force. Panel Three – The Commission will hear presentations from the Media Bureau and the Inc...

Elad Roisman Named Acting Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release: December 28, 2020)

Washington D.C., Dec. 28, 2020 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that President Donald J. Trump has designated Elad L. Roisman as Acting Chairman of the agency.

Elad L. Roisman Photo courtesy SEC)

"I am humbled and honored to serve as the Acting Chairman," said Acting Chairman Roisman. "During the time I am in this role, I am fully committed to maintaining the steady course that Chairman Clayton charted during his admirable tenure. I look forward to continuing...

Federal Election Commission Chair and Vice Chair Elected | site |



Shana M. Broussard elected Chair, Allen Dickerson elected Vice Chair for 2021


(Information contained in Federal Election Commission [FEC] press release dated: December 22, 2020)

Washington - - The Federal Election Commission has elected Shana M. Broussard to serve as Chair and Allen Dickerson as Vice Chair for 2021.

Commissioners Broussard and Dickerson were sworn in as Commissioners last week, along with Commissioner Sean J. Cooksey. The three were nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate earlier this month. Commissioner Broussard of Louisiana joined the Commission in 2008 as an attorney in the Enforcement Division of the Office of General Counsel. Beginning in 2015, she served on detail as Counsel for Commissioner Steven T. Walther. Commissioner Broussard earned her B.A. from Dillard University and her J.D...