Anthony Marsico, former Vice President of Verano Holdings (CBOE: VRNO), has been formally indicted by the U.S. government on charges of insider trading and conspiracy. The indictment, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that Marsico and three associates engaged in illicit activities surrounding the failed 2022 acquisition of Goodness Growth Holdings, a Minnesota-based cannabis company that is now known as Vireo Growth (CSE: VREO).
The special grand jury’s indictment outlines multiple violations encompassing manipulative and deceptive practices in the purchase and sale of securities, constituting a comprehensive case against Marsico and his co-defendants.
Marsico, a resident of Bartlett, Illinois, held the position of Executive Vice President at Verano Holdings, overseeing real estate acquisitions, zoning matters, and regulatory issues. According to the indictment, Marsico exploited his access to nonpublic information regarding Verano’s strategic acquisition plans. Between April 2021 and October 2022, Marsico is accused of purchasing shares in Goodness Growth Holdings based on confidential discussions about Verano’s intended acquisition, thereby making illicit profits totaling approximately $607,338.
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Verano’s strategic move to acquire Goodness Growth Holdings in 2022 was intended to expand its footprint in the New York cannabis market, leveraging one of the state’s limited cultivation and sales licenses.
The acquisition was announced on February 1, 2022, with the all-stock transaction valued at approximately $413 million. However, internal disputes and alleged misconduct, as outlined in the indictment, led to the deal’s eventual cancellation, prompting significant financial and reputational repercussions for Verano Holdings.
The indictment further implicates Marsico in a conspiracy with Arthur Pizzello, Robert Quattrocchi, and Timothy Carey, all members of the same private country club. This group allegedly shared and utilized nonpublic information to manipulate stock prices, benefiting from the insider knowledge of Verano’s acquisition activities.
Following the indictment, Verano Holdings issued a statement confirming Marsico’s termination in January 2024. “We strongly condemn the alleged actions taken by a former employee, and upon learning of the alleged conduct, fully cooperated with authorities investigating this matter,” the company stated.
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