SEC renews motion for default judgment against AirBit Club promoter

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has renewed its motion for default judgment against Karina Chairez, a high-level promoter of the AirBit Club investment scheme. This becomes clear from documents submitted by the regulator on January 5, 2022.

According to the proposed judgment, the SEC requests that the New York Southern District Court enter a default judgment against Chairez, which

1. permanently enjoins her from future violations of Sections 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;

2. orders Chairez to disgorge $75,981 in ill-gotten gains plus prejudgment interest in the amount of $9,619.94, for a total amount of $85,600.94; and

3. orders Chairez to pay a civil monetary penalty of $75,981.

Let’s recall that the SEC has charged Karina Chairez for acting as an unregistered broker. The SEC previously brought similar charges against two other high-level promoters of AirBit Club, which promised investors returns through a purported digital asset trading program and from the recruitment of others.

The SEC’s complaint, filed on December 15, 2021 with the New York Southern District Court, alleges that Chairez solicited investors for AirBit Club, including through social media platforms and in-person meetings, without registering with the Commission. According to the complaint, Chairez raised large sums from investors, positioned herself at the top of an extensive pyramid of AirBit investors, and received substantial compensation from AirBit for the sale of the securities.

The SEC’s complaint charges Chairez with violating the broker-dealer registration provision of Section 15(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement and prejudgment interest, and civil penalties.