LOVER'S LAPTOP LEADS TO $2.7 MILLION INSIDER TRADING SPOILS!

SEC v. Justin Jennings, Vortex Strategies LLC — U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Litigation Release No. 26570, dated June 23, 2026.

The SEC charged Justin Jennings and his company, Vortex Strategies LLC, with insider trading. Jennings allegedly used material nonpublic information he obtained from his romantic partner, an account executive at a communications firm, to trade in the securities of eight public companies. He is accused of making approximately $2.7 million in illicit profits.

In Plain English

Imagine someone learns a secret about a company before anyone else does, like a big announcement is coming. This person then uses that secret information to buy or sell the company's stock, hoping to make money when the news becomes public. In this case, Justin Jennings is accused of doing just that. He allegedly got secret information about several companies from his girlfriend, who worked at a firm that handled news for these companies. He then used this secret info to trade stocks, making about $2.7 million.

Disclaimer: all facts are drawn from the SEC's own filings; the claims described are allegations unless and until a court rules or the parties settle, and some cases end in dismissal.

How the Alleged Scheme Worked

1. Accessing Confidential Information Between February 2022 and October 2024, Justin Jennings allegedly used his then-romantic partner's work-issued laptop. This laptop belonged to an account executive at a strategic communications and investor relations firm.
2. Obtaining Material Nonpublic Information Jennings allegedly accessed the firm's systems via the laptop without authorization. He obtained material nonpublic information related to mergers and acquisitions, earnings announcements, and other significant corporate events for the firm's public company clients.
3. Identifying Trading Opportunities The information Jennings accessed included details about upcoming corporate disclosures. He identified specific opportunities to trade securities of public companies before these significant announcements were made public.
4. Executing Trades Through Personal Account Based on this confidential information, Jennings used his personal brokerage account to purchase securities of eight public companies. These purchases were made in advance of significant corporate disclosures.
5. Executing Trades Through Company Account Jennings also used a brokerage account in the name of Vortex Strategies LLC, a company he owned and controlled. He made similar trades in this account, leveraging the same material nonpublic information.
6. Generating Illicit Profits Through these insider trades, both in his personal account and through Vortex, Jennings allegedly made illicit profits totaling approximately $2.7 million. These profits were realized from trading in advance of the corporate announcements.

The Enforcement Action

On June 23, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Justin Jennings and Vortex Strategies LLC with insider trading. The SEC's complaint alleges that Jennings misappropriated material nonpublic information from his romantic partner and used it to trade in the securities of eight public companies ahead of significant corporate announcements, generating approximately $2.7 million in illicit profits. The SEC seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced criminal charges against Jennings.

Named in this action: Justin Jennings, Vortex Strategies LLC.

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