i mean it can be. if the broker (who should know acting on the information would be insider trading) is trying to get clients to then act on it, the broker is suborning criminal activity. she really needed a new broker. my supposition is that the prosecutor was brand fucking new, saw a big name and thought “oh gee i bet they would make a good example and get my name in the news”, thought “oh gee i bet they can’t afford a defense attorney” and they were a fresh hire from some shitty civil firm and went after the most money.