Roomy Khan tipped several people in Galleon case

By Grant McCool and Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Roomy Khan, one of several former traders cooperating with the prosecution of the biggest U.S. hedge fund insider trading case, told a judge she tipped several people at hedge funds with inside information on companies to make money from trades, according to a court document.

In an October 19 transcript of her guilty plea, made public on Thursday, Khan also said she destroyed an incriminating email from an accomplice in early 2008 despite knowing of an ongoing U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation.

"Between 2004 and November 2007, I along with several co-conspirators engaged in a conspiracy to commit securities fraud," Khan said. "I used inside information provided to me by co-conspirators who worked for publicly traded companies and investor relations companies who had access to confidential information on particular companies and used it to make profitable trades.

"I provided the information to several co-conspirators who worked for various hedge funds, who also traded on the inside information for profit."

Khan, 51, is one of at least five people who have pleaded guilty to criminal charges since prosecutors on October 16 announced criminal charges against the Galleon Group hedge fund's billionaire founder Raj Rajaratnam and others.

Some 20 defendants face criminal charges, civil charges or both. Prosecutors have identified $40 million of illegal profits, while the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has found $53 million in its civil investigation.

According to the transcript, Khan did not reveal names of co-conspirators or companies whose inside information was used. Prosecutors believe Khan made $1.6 million in illegal profits.

HILTON HOTELS TIP