
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued an Order filing and simultaneously settling charges against Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc., a provisionally registered swap dealer, for spoofing, manipulation, and attempted manipulation over a six-year period with respect to certain precious metals futures contracts traded on the Commodity Exchange, Inc. The CFTC imposed monetary sanctions totaling approximately $25 million, including a civil monetary penalty of $11.5 million, over $2.3 million in restitution, and disgorgement of $11.1 million. The restitution and disgorgement amounts were credited against a $25 million parallel criminal settlement with the Justice Department (see separate Violation Tracker entry). For more info visit https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/7946-19