NJ Man Stole Confidential Docs From Girlfriend’s Job For $2.7M Insider Trading Scheme: Feds

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County man has been indicted after using his girlfriend’s job’s confidential documents to commit a multi-million dollar scheme, federal officials said.

Justin Jennings, 27, of Rockaway Township, was charged by indictment with one count of engaging in a securities fraud scheme, eight counts of securities fraud for insider trading, and two counts of transacting in criminal proceeds.

According to court documents, Jennings was dating an account executive at a public relations firm that was entrusted with material nonpublic information.

Between February 2022 and October 2024, Jennings used the account executive’s laptop, without her permission or knowledge, to learn about major corporate announcements, typically announcements of mergers and acquisitions, before they were public knowledge, officials said.

Using the insider information from press release drafts, Jennings made “well-timed trades” in the securities of eight publicly traded companies before the market knew, authorities said.

Jennings was able to profit $2.7 million from the scheme, according to investigators.

If convicted, Jennings could face up to 25 years in prison on the securities fraud charge alone.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also filed a civil complaint against Jennings based on the same conduct.