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Briefs

Realty company sold to private-equity firm

By TIMES STAFF WRITERS
Published April 19, 2006

New Homes Realty Inc. of Clearwater has been acquired by a Boston private-equity firm for an undisclosed amount. Alta Communications Inc., which manages $1.5-billion in five funds, bought the real estate company, which provides brokerage services to residential real estate buyers. Through its Web site, New Homes, founded in 1992, generates leads that it distributes to a network of more than 400 sales associates nationwide. Hyde Park Capital Advisors LLC of Tampa was the investment bank on the transaction.

Tampa broker fined, suspended by NASD

The National Association of Securities Dealers fined former Tampa broker Shawn Aaron $50,000 and suspended him from the industry for two years for trying to coerce a company into giving him inside information. Aaron, who worked for GunnAllen Financial, threatened to drive down the price of stock in Optelcom-NKF Inc. if company officials did not give him the information he sought, the NASD said. Aaron, who did not appeal the decision, could not be reached for comment.

A Louisville, Ky., area company that recruits, trains and manages walking vendors at professional sporting events has opened an office in St. Petersburg. Rocket Man Inc. of LaGrange, Ky., currently contracts with concessionaires at Tropicana Field for Tampa Bay Devil Rays home games, as well as at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The 14-year-old company, which has annual revenues of $6-million to $8-million, also provided walking vendors during St. Petersburg's Grand Prix. President Mark Haertzen said Rocket Man's vendors work as independent contractors on commission and earn $60 to $300 a night, depending on the event. By fall, Rocket Man expects to have about 150 vendors and up to 50 support staff working from its St. Petersburg office.

Publix Super Markets stockholders have approved an increase in the company's shares to allow for a 5-for-1 split of common stock effective July 1. Publix's last stock split was in 1992, also a 5-for-1 split. Only Publix associates and board members can buy Publix stock.

Home loan giant Freddie Mac has agreed to pay a record $3.8-million fine to settle allegations it made illegal campaign contributions. The fine announced Tuesday is by far the biggest ever levied by the Federal Election Commission. Freddie Mac was accused of illegally using corporate resources between 2000 and 2003 for 85 fundraisers that collected about $1.7-million for federal candidates. Much of the fundraising benefited members of the House Financial Services Committee, whose decisions can affect Freddie Mac.

[Last modified April 19, 2006, 01:58:13]