Martin Siegel
Encyclopedia
Martin A. Siegel is a former respected investment banker who became embroiled in the insider trading
scandal
s of the 1980s, alongside Ivan Boesky
and Michael Milken
.
Siegel is a graduate of Harvard Business School
. In 1971, he joined Kidder, Peabody & Co.
and during his 15 years at the firm became known as a takeover
specialist. In February 1986 he left Kidder and became a managing director at Drexel Burnham Lambert
.
On February 13, 1987, Siegel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the securities laws and one count of tax evasion. His guilty plea included an agreement to pay over US$9 million in civil penalties
. He eventually received a sentence of two months imprisonment and five years probation. The light sentence being due to his cooperation with other government investigations. His involvement in criminal activities is recounted in the book Den of Thieves
by Pulitzer Prize
winning author James B. Stewart
.
Insider trading
Insider trading is the trading of a corporation's stock or other securities by individuals with potential access to non-public information about the company...
scandal
Scandal
A scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of allegations that damages the reputation of an institution, individual or creed...
s of the 1980s, alongside Ivan Boesky
Ivan Boesky
Ivan Frederick Boesky is an American stock trader who is notable for his prominent role in a Wall Street insider trading scandal that occurred in the United States in the mid-1980s.-Life and career:...
and Michael Milken
Michael Milken
Michael Robert Milken is an American business magnate, financier, and philanthropist noted for his role in the development of the market for high-yield bonds during the 1970s and 1980s, for his 1990 guilty plea to felony charges for violating US securities laws, and for his funding of medical...
.
Siegel is a graduate of Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
. In 1971, he joined Kidder, Peabody & Co.
Kidder, Peabody & Co.
Kidder, Peabody & Co. was a U.S.-based securities firm, established in Massachusetts in 1865. Its operations included investment banking, brokerage, and trading....
and during his 15 years at the firm became known as a takeover
Takeover
In business, a takeover is the purchase of one company by another . In the UK, the term refers to the acquisition of a public company whose shares are listed on a stock exchange, in contrast to the acquisition of a private company.- Friendly takeovers :Before a bidder makes an offer for another...
specialist. In February 1986 he left Kidder and became a managing director at Drexel Burnham Lambert
Drexel Burnham Lambert
Drexel Burnham Lambert was a major Wall Street investment banking firm, which first rose to prominence and then was forced into bankruptcy in February 1990 by its involvement in illegal activities in the junk bond market, driven by Drexel employee Michael Milken. At its height, it was the...
.
On February 13, 1987, Siegel pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the securities laws and one count of tax evasion. His guilty plea included an agreement to pay over US$9 million in civil penalties
Civil penalty
A civil penalty or civil fine is a term used to describe when a state entity, government agency, or private party seeks monetary relief against an individual as restitution for wrongdoing by the individual. The wrongdoing is typically defined by a codification of legislation, regulations, and decrees...
. He eventually received a sentence of two months imprisonment and five years probation. The light sentence being due to his cooperation with other government investigations. His involvement in criminal activities is recounted in the book Den of Thieves
Den of Thieves (Book)
Den of Thieves is a 1992 non-fiction bestselling work by Pulitzer prize-winning writer James B. Stewart. The book recounts the insider trading scandals involving Ivan Boesky, Michael Milken and other Wall Street financiers in the United States during the 1980s such as Martin Siegel, Dennis Levine,...
by Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winning author James B. Stewart
James B. Stewart
James Bennett Stewart is an American lawyer, journalist, and author.-Life and career:Stewart was born in Quincy, Illinois. A graduate of DePauw University and Harvard Law School, James B. Stewart is a member of the Bar of New York and Bloomberg Professor of Business and Economic Journalism at the...
.