SEC charges New York firm, California adviser with fraud in raising billions for Madoff schemeWASHINGTON — Federal regulators filed securities fraud charges Monday against a prominent California investment adviser and a New York brokerage firm said to be secretly controlled by Bernard Madoff, accusing them of funneling billions of dollars from investors into Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. Business HighlightsRetailers see sales begin to recover in September NEW YORK (AP) — The nation’s stores saw their first sales gain in 14 months in September, a sign of life from shoppers that fuels some hope for the holiday shopping season. |