A former teleprompter operator for the White House, Gabriel Perez, has been ordered to pay over $172,000 as part of a settlement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) due to allegations of insider betting on the prediction market Kalshi. The settlement, announced on Friday, includes the repayment of more than $100,000 in profits and a civil penalty of $65,000.
Details of the Settlement
The CFTC’s findings revealed that Perez profited approximately $107,500 by betting on specific words and phrases that were expected to appear in speeches delivered by former President Donald Trump between December 2025 and February 2026. The commission stated that Perez misappropriated information he accessed in his role, breaching his duty of trust and confidence.
Consequences for Perez
In addition to the financial penalties, Perez has been subjected to a three-year ban from trading. He was placed on unpaid leave from his position at the White House after it was discovered that he had used his insider knowledge to make these bets. The White House has not provided further comments regarding Perez’s employment status, only confirming that he is no longer in his role.
Investigation and Response
Kalshi, the prediction market platform, initiated an investigation into Perez’s trading activities after its surveillance systems flagged irregular trading patterns. Following the investigation, Kalshi froze Perez’s account, which contained over $90,000 in profits. The company subsequently referred the case to the CFTC, indicating cooperation with federal authorities throughout the process.
Background on Gabriel Perez
Public records indicate that Perez served in the Trump administration during both of the president’s terms, holding positions as a technical adviser and teleprompter operator. He began his role as a technical adviser for the White House Office in January 2025.
White House Reaction
In light of the allegations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed that the situation was «unfortunate» and described it as «a disgrace.» In March, the White House Management Office issued a directive to staff, warning against placing bets on prediction markets using nonpublic information.
The CFTC’s actions against Perez underscore the importance of maintaining integrity and trust within government positions, particularly those that involve access to sensitive information.
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