The SEC charged activist short seller Andrew Left and his firm, Citron Capital LLC, for engaging in a $20 million multi-year scheme to defraud followers by publishing false and misleading statements regarding his supposed stock trading recommendations. In a prior settled action, Anson Fund managers were charged for conduct involving Left and other short publishers. The litigated case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California with other related actions expected against other associates of Left and colluding hedge fund managers. The case should serve as another warning for hedge fund managers and investment advisers that utilize information posted by short activists and other prolific online parties or who themselves are active posters regarding their investment positions or theses in social media.