Former Office Depot COO charged with Insider Trading on company acquisition

Mark D. Begelman of Delray Beach Florida, former Chief Operating Officer of Office Depot, was charged with profiting off confidential insider information about the upcoming acquisition of Bluegreen Corporation by BFC Financial. The government says that Begelman learned of the acquisition through his membership in a group of current or former executives of major companies. During an annual retreat in the Florida Keys in 2011 of the World Presidents’ Organization, Begelman learned that BFC was planning to merge with Bluegreen. He then emailed his stockbroker with instructions to purchase 25,000 shares of Bluegreen at $2.25 per share. Begelman has agreed to settle the case without admitting wrongdoing and by disgorging his gains and paying a civil penalty. Jeffrey Newman represents whistleblowers.