SECURITIES

Ex-Broker for Prudential Settles SEC Charges: Peggy Jean Homuth, 35, a former broker who worked in Prudential Securities’ Rochester, N.Y., office for 10 years, has agreed to settle Securities and Exchange Commission charges that she forged clients’ signatures and bilked them out of $3.2 million. She also could face a prison term of up to 41 months and fines of up to $75,000 after pleading guilty to related federal mail fraud charges. The settlement orders Homuth to pay $3.2 million, an amount the SEC said “she took from her customers,” plus prejudgment interest. The payment was waived, however, because she lacks the funds.