Matthew Brown, operator of the penny stock website

Matthew Brown, operator of the penny stock website Investors Hub, was sentenced to four years in jail for securities fraud and money laundering. His arrest followed an investigation into the manipulation of four pink sheets listings. Mr. Brown had faced a maximum of 50 years in jail and fines of over $1-million. (All figures are in U.S. dollars.) He accepted a plea agreement in February, 2010, in which the government agreed to recommend a reduced sentence. Once he completes his four-year jail term, he will serve three years of probation, during which he must not participate in penny stock offerings. He must also forfeit $4.78-million, the estimated proceeds from his crime.