Ex-SEC attorney agrees to settle conflict claim DALLAS (AP) - A former Securities and Exchange Commission attorney has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle charges that he violated federal conflict of interest standards by providing representation for disgraced financier R. Allen Stanford. The agreement announced Friday between Dallas attorney Spencer Barasch and the Department of Justice settles allegations that Barasch improperly represented Stanford in front of the SEC after leaving his post as head of enforcement in the agency's Fort Worth office. The government claims Barasch, while with the SEC, directed that an inquiry of Stanford be closed. Barasch's attorney, Paul Coggins, said his client denies wrongdoing but settled to avoided "protracted litigation." Stanford was charged in 2009 with running a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of $7 billion. His trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 23.