SEC Settles Insider Trading Charges Involving Laserscope

The SEC settled insider trading claims against Edward O. Boshell, an outside disinterested director of a Dallas-based business development company (BDC), and Donald J. Pochopien, a shareholder of a Chicago-based law firm. The SEC alleged that Boshell and Pochopien engaged in unlawful insider trading in the securities of Laserscope in advance of a public announcement on June 5, 2006 that Laserscope would be acquired by American Medical Systems Holding, Inc. (American Medical).  The SEC alleges that Boshell was made aware of the acquisition during a routine board meeting of the Dallas-based BDC approximately a month before the public announcement. The Commission alleges that Pochopien was made aware of the acquisition approximately a month before the public announcement when his law firm was hired by American Medical to conduct a due diligence review of the Laserscope acquisition.