Full opinion text
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER SEYBERT, District Judge. Presently before the Court are numerous motions from the cases originally docketed as 97-CV-1928, 97-CV-1972, 97-CV-2124 and consolidated under lead case number 97-CV-1928. These cases arise from a securities arbitration proceeding entitled “In the Matter of the Arbitration Between F. Clark Gardner, Claimant [against] Stratton Oak-mont, Inc., Samuel R. Weber, Daniel M. Po-rush, Jordan Shamah, Andrew T. Greene, Paul F. Byrne, Mathias V. Tiffert, Leonard Dunn and Steven Sanders, Respondents” and the resultant Award dated April 15, 1997, Arbitration No. 96-02076. PROCEDURAL HISTORY In March 1996, Claimant F. Clark Gardner (“Gardner” or “Respondent”), commenced an arbitration proceeding pursuant to a customer agreement (the “Agreement”), against Stratton Oakmont, Inc. (“Stratton”), a registered brokfer/dealer of -securities, and its principal officers, directors and supervisors, Daniel M. Porush (“Porush”), Steven P. Sanders (“Sanders”), Jordon Shamah (“Sha-mah”), and Andrew T. Greene (“Greene”), (collectively the “Petitioners”), and others, before the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”). After nine conferences and hearings were held, a panel.of three arbitrators, Sandra L. Malek, Esq., Mary E. Cobb, and Louise D. Lillard, Esq., (collectively the “Arbitrators”), rendered a unanimous Award (the “Award”), in favor of F. Clark Gardner (Claimant below, Respondent herein), as against Daniel M. Porush, Jordan Shamah, Andrew T. Greene, and Steven P. Sanders (Respondents below, Petitioners herein). Immediately thereafter, Petitioners Po-rush, Shamah, Sanders and Greene initiated suit in this Court and moved individually and collectively to vacate the arbitration award. Respondent Gardner moved to confirm the arbitration award. Respondent then moved for an Order of Attachment, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 64, as against all property and assets owned or controlled by Porush and for an Order, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 37, compelling the deposition of Porush. Petitioner Greene’s motions to intervene and to amend the caption were stipulated to by the parties on April 29, 1997, and were subsequently granted by the Court. The other aforementioned motions are all decided herein. BACKGROUND I. ACCOUNT ESTABLISHMENT AND TRADING Respondent F. Clark Gardner, a physician residing in California, was contacted via telephone in or about November 1994, by Samuel R. Weber (‘Weber”), an employee of Strat-ton, to solicit new business. Gardner had previously invested in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds and listened to Weber’s sales pitch. Weber, highlighted Stratton’s success in new offerings and its daily oversight of customer accounts, stressing it protects against downward stock price movements of more than two points., (Arb. Amended Claim ¶ 6). Gardner indicated his investment objective was to purchase securities that offered growth potential, but would not present any significant risk of loss to the principal invested. (Arb. Amended Claim ¶ 6). Weber continued contacting Gardner during the month and inquired into his net worth and annual .income. Weber sent Gardner a completed Retail New Account Application which became the Agreement, and it erroneously over estimated Gardner’s net worth at $2,000,000 plus, and his investment objective as speculative activity in growth companies. (Arb. Amended Claim ¶ 10). Gardner purportedly questioned these entries and was informed by Weber that they were computer generated and unimportant. (Arb. Amended Claim ¶ 10). Accordingly, Gardner agreed to open an account with Stratton, account number 492990, and initially agreed to a purchase of 200 shares of Dr. Pepper. It is noteworthy, though legally incidental, that a copy of the Agreement signed by F. Clark Gardner was never produced. Directly above the customer signature line the Agreement states: Your Signature must appear below. By signing this Agreement, I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to the terms of the following Customer Agreement, which is incorporated as if fully set forth hereat. I am also fully aware of, and completely understand and agree to the pre-dispute arbitration clause at paragraph 9 of this agreement.... I have read the text, including the terms and conditions set forth on the reverse side of this Retail New Account Application, and agree to be bound thereby, [italicized emphasis in original]. The other pertinent sections of the Agreement include paragraph nine, the Arbitration Clause, paragraph ten, the Applicable Rules and Regulations, and paragraph eleven, the Governing Law. The following transactions as provided in Gardner’s Arbitration Amended Claim were the basis of the arbitration dispute in issue, and were executed by and based upon representations of Samuel Weber. a) Purchased 200 shares of Dr. Pepper at $25% on 11/17/94; total $5,210; b) Purchased 2,000 shares of Select Media at $8 on 11/23/94; total $16,010; e)Purchased 3,000 shares of Select Media at $6% on 12/21/94; total $19,135; Gardner was apparently not familiar with Select Media nor was he informed that Strat-ton made a market in the security. Gardner allegedly directed Weber to sell the Select Media stock in January and February 1995, however Weber did not carry out the instructions. d) Sold 5,000 shares of Select Media at 5$ per share on 11/16/95; sale proceeds $240, total loss of $34,950; e) Purchased 4,000 shares of United Leisure at $5 on 1/23/95; total $20,010; f) Purchased 3,000 shares of United Leisure at $5% on 2/6/95; total $16,125; g) Purchased 11,000 shares of United Leisure at $5 on 2/24/95; total $55,000; h) Purchased 1,000 units (combination of stocks and warrants) of Dual Star at $7 on 2/22/95; total $7,000; i) Purchased 7,000 shares of Dual Star at $614 on 2/22/95; total $43,750; Stratton not only made a market for the Dual Star stock but also underwrote the issue two days prior. Two days later, Weber purportedly recommended selling Dual Star because of a trend he didn’t like, yet one month later; he recommended purchasing it again. j) Sold 1,000 units and 7,000 shares of Dual Star on 2/24/95; sales proceeds of $54,730, total profit $4,845; k) Purchased 5,000 shares of Dual Star at $614 on 3/30/95; total $31,257; l)Purchased 5,000 shares of Dual Star at $1014 on 4/13/95; total $51,227; Gardner allegedly directed Weber to sell the Dual Star shares, and once again Weber failed to execute trades at the customer’s direction. m) Sold 10,000 shares of Dual Star at $l%e on 12/12/95; sales proceeds of $11,865, total loss $70,619; n) Purchased 500 units of Czech Industries at $7 on 6/16/95; total $3,500; 0) Sold 500 units of Czech Industries at $3,586 on 11/16/95; sales proceeds of ■ $1,793, total loss $1,707; p) Sold 18,000 shares of United Leisure at $2^6 on 7/28/95; sales proceeds of $46,-678; total loss of $44,477; Gardner maintains the United Leisure stock was sold without his authorization and that Weber used the proceeds on that day to purchase Solomon Page Group, Ltd. (“Solomon”)stock. q) Purchased 29,500 shares of Solomon at $l%e on 7/28/95; total $46,104; r) Sold 29,500 shares of Solomon at $22/33 on 12/12/95; sales proceeds of $21,203; total loss of $24,901; s) Purchased 500 units of MVSI at $7 on 8/22/95; total $3,500; t) Sold 500 units of MVSI at $20% on 10/12/95; sales proceeds of $10,303; total profit of $6,803; u) Purchased 1,000 units of Hemispherx at $3% on 11/7/95; total $3,500; v) Purchased 1,000 units of Hemispherx at $8/4 on 11/7/95; total $8,500; w) Sold 2,000 units of Hemispherx at $6% on 11/16/95; sales proceeds of $13,490; total profit $1,480. ' Thus, over the thirteen month period, the Respondent, F., Clark Gardner, invested a total of approximately $328,993 and suffered a lo,ss of $184,583. The Respondent further alleged that during the thirteen month period the account was turned over approximately four times by the Petitioner, Stratton, and that this “churning” was done for the sole purpose of generating commissions. (Arb. Amended Claim ¶ 28). II. GARDNER’S ARBITRATION CLAIMS On or about May 7, 1996 Respondent filed his Statement of Claim for arbitration, which was subsequently amended on October 1, 1996. On or about July 12, 1996, the parties filed a signed Submission Agreement (“SA”), agreeing to submit the matter in controversy to arbitration and to abide by and perform any award rendered pursuant to the SA. In arbitration, Gardner claimed that the Petitioners committed fraud by excessively trading his account and by trading in securities unsuitable for Gardner’s investment objectives. These actions, Respondent maintained, constituted violations of state and federal securities laws and breached Petitioners’ fiduciary duty as owed to the client/customer. In addition, Gardner asserts that Petitioners Stratton and its control persons failed to supervise the activities of their broker. Accordingly, Gardner sought compensatory damages in the amount of $238,332, representing his trading losses, interest on the loss, the Petitioners’ commissions and the NASD filing fee, and unspecified punitive damages. The Petitioners generally denied the allegations asserting that the transactions in Respondent’s account were carried out in accordance with Gardner’s instructions and in conformity with all applicable rules, regulations, industry standards and practices. III. THE ARBITRATION HEARINGS AND AWARD Five pre-hearing conferences were held between November 18, 1996, and March 27, 1997, and four hearing sessions were held on April 8 and 9, 1997. Prior to the hearing sessions, the Arbitrators were informed that Weber, Byrne, and Stratton Oakmont had filed for bankruptcy protection, thus, as to those parties, the proceeding was stayed. Also prior to the arbitration, the Arbitrators dismissed the action as against Mathias Tif-fert and Leonard Dunn. In addition, although Jordan Shamah did not attend the arbitration, the Arbitrators found that he had been properly served and was therefore subject to the terms of the Award. The Arbitrators rendered their award after considering the parties’ submissions, pleadings, testimony, and evidence presented at the hearing. In finding against Greene and Sanders (Petitioners herein, Respondents below), the Arbitrators acknowledged that Greene and Sanders had no direct contact with Gardner, nonetheless, their culpability was premised upon their participation in the overall business of Stratton. The Arbitrators unanimous Award decided .in full and final resolution the issues submitted for determination, and provided: 1. Respondents [Petitioners in the ease at bar] Daniel M. Porush, Jordan Sha-mah, Andrew T. Greene and Steven P. Sanders, jointly and severally, are liable to and shall pay Claimant [Gardner, Respondent in the case at bar] compensatory damages in the amount of $184,583. 2. Respondents Daniel M. Porush, Jordan Shamah, Andrew T. Greene and Steven P. Sanders, jointly and severally, are liable to and shall pay Claimant interest at 10% commencing from December 12, 1995 through April 10, 1997, in the amount of $23,375. 3. Respondent Daniel M. Porush is liable to and shall pay Claimant punitive damages in the amount of $4,000,000. 4. Respondent Jordan Shamah is liable to and shall pay Claimant punitive damages in the amount of $2,000,000. 5. Respondent Andrew T. Greene is liable to and shall pay Claimant punitive damages in the amount of $2,000,000. 6. Respondent Steven P. Sanders is liable to and shall pay Claimant punitive damages in the amount of $2,000,000. 7. All punitive damages were made pursuant to the authority presented in Claimant’s Arbitration Brief at pages 9-10. 8. Respondent Daniel M. Porush, Jordan Shamah, Andrew T. Greene and Steven P. Sanders, jointly and severally, are liable to and shall pay Claimant his initial filing fee of $200. 9. Claimant’s claim for attorney’s fees is denied in its entirety due to a failure of proof. IV. PETITIONERS’ MOTION TO VACATE THE AWARD The Petitioners move the Court to vacate and set aside the Award, pursuant to Section 10 of the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), 9 U.S.C. § 10, on the grounds that the Arbitrators exceeded their powers and acted in manifest disregard of the law and otherwise engaged in misconduct: (1) by arbitrarily and capriciously rendering an award as against Sanders and Porush based on an issue not joined or tried at the arbitration hearing; (2) by arbitrarily and capriciously ignoring an affidavit submitted by Shamah prior to the hearing; (3) by arbitrarily and capriciously granting Gardner punitive damages in the amount of $10 million which amounts to fifty times all compensatory damages awarded; (4) by exceeding their authority and imperfectly discharging- their obligations by rendering an award as against Sanders, Shamah and Porush, for the full amount of the compensatory damages claimed when there was no evidence to support such an award; (5) by permitting the introduction into evidence of highly prejudicial and inflammatory documents which had no relevance to the issues to be resolved, and which obviously poisoned the arbitrators against Sanders, Shamah and Porush. ■ Petitioner Andrew T. Greene separately moves to vacate the award asserting, inter alia, that he was not liable as a “controlling person” at Stratton as defined under Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and that the Respondent erroneously asserted a claim against him while intending to name Kenneth Greene. Respondent Gardner moves the Court to confirm the Award, in part, because established precedent requires a court to confirm an arbitration award as a matter of course, absent the most exceptional circumstances, which Respondent asserts were not present herein. DISCUSSION The parties to this case are citizens of different states and invoke this Court’s diversity jurisdiction. As the transactions at issue involve interstate commerce, the provisions of the FAA are applicable. Barbier v. Shearson Lehman Hutton Inc., 948 F.2d 117, 120 (2d Cir.1991). I. STANDARD OF REVIEW At.-the outset, it is necessary to recognize the important development of arbitration throughout the legal landscape and the judicial deference accorded arbitration awards. This is most evident by the wide sweep of applications governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. Arbitration is not limited to contractual claims, rather, statutory claims, including those arising under the Securities Acts, are clearly arbitrable. See, e.g., Rodriguez de Quijas v. Shearson/American Express, 490 U.S. 477, 486, 109 S.Ct. 1917, 1922, 104 L.Ed.2d 526 (1989)(because “resort to the arbitration process does not inherently undermine any of the substantive rights afforded to Petitioners under the Securities Act[s]” of 1933 and 1934, therefore, such claims are arbitrable). The original purpose of the Federal Arbitration Act was to “reverse the longstanding judicial hostility to arbitration agreements that had existed at English common law and had been adopted by American courts, and to place arbitration agreements on the same footing as other contracts.” Gilmer v. Interstate/Johnson Lane Corp., 500 U.S. 20, 24, 111 S.Ct. 1647, 1651, 114 L.Ed.2d 26 (1991) (citations omitted); see also Allied-Bruce Terminix Cos. v. Dobson, 513 U.S. 265, 270, 115 S.Ct. 834, 838, 130 L.Ed.2d 753 (1995)(FAA was passed to overcome courts’ refusals to enforce agreements to arbitrate).Over time, a liberal federal policy has developed favoring - arbitration agreements. See Moses H. Cone Memorial Hosp. v. Mercury Constr. Corp., 460 U.S. 1, 24, 103 S.Ct. 927, 941, 74 L.Ed.2d 765 (1983). Once it has been determined that the FAA applies to a particular arbitration agreement, incongruent state statutory schemes are pre-empted. See Al lied-Bruce, 513 U.S. at 272-73, 281, 115 S.Ct. at 839, 843. To satisfy arbitration’s twin goals of settling disputes efficiently and avoiding long and expensive litigation, arbitration awards are subject to very limited review. See Willemijn Houdstermaatschappij, BV v. Standard Microsystems Corp., 103 F.3d 9, 12 (2d Cir.1997). Once an award has been entered, Section 9 of the FAA provides that a court, upon timely application by any party, must issue an order confirming the award unless the award is vacated, modified, or corrected as prescribed, in Sections 10 and 11. The grounds on which an award may be vacated are textually limited and narrowly interpreted. Thus, pursuant to Section 10, a court may vacate the award: (1) Where the award was procured by corruption, fraud, or undue means. (2) Where there was evident partiality or corruption in the arbitrators, or either of them. (3) Where the arbitrators were guilty of misconduct in refusing to postpone the hearing, upon sufficient cause shown, or in refusing to hear evidence pertinent and material to the controversy; or of any other misbehavior by which the rights of any party have been prejudiced. (4) Where the arbitrators exceeded their powers, or so imperfectly executed them that a mutual, final, and definite award upon the subject matter submitted was not made. In addition, pursuant to subsection (5): Where an award is vacated and the time within which the agreement required the award to be made has not expired the court may, in its discretion, direct a rehearing by the arbitrators. An award may be modified or corrected by the court upon application of any party to the arbitration, pursuant to Section 11: (a) Where there was an evident material miscalculation of figures or an evident material mistake in the description of any person, thing, or property referred to in the award. (b) Where the arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted to them, unless it is a matter not affecting the merits of the decision upon the matter submitted. (c)Where the award is imperfect in matter of form not affecting the merits of the controversy. Finally, the order may modify and correct the award, so as to effect the intent thereof and promote justice between the parties. The foregoing statutory provisions circumscribe a court’s review, yet, judicial precedent and legislative intent informs added restraint. There is, however, a doctrine of judicial creation which permits a court to vacate an award if the arbitrators “manifestly disregarded the law” in reaching their decision. First Options of Chicago Inc. v. Kaplan, 514 U.S. 938, 941, 115 S.Ct. 1920, 1923, 131 L.Ed.2d 985 (1995); Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. v. Bobker, 808 F.2d 930, 935-36 (2d Cir.1986). Because “the reach of the manifest disregard doctrine is severely limited,” DiRussa v. Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., 121 F.3d 818, 821 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 118 S.Ct. 695, 139 L.Ed.2d 639 (1997), an arbitration award will not be vacated simply because of “error or misunderstanding with respect to the law.” International Telepassport Corp. v. USFI, Inc., 89 F.3d 82, 85 (2d Cir.1996). Only where the error is “obvious and capable of being readily and instantly perceived by the average person qualified to serve as an arbitrator ... [and] the arbitrator appreciate^] the existence of a clearly governing legal principle but decide[d] to ignore or pay no attention to it,” will manifest disregard exist. DiRussa, 121 F.3d at 821. Therefore, in order to modify or vacate an award on the ground of manifest disregard, the Court “must find both that (1) the arbitrators knew of a governing legal principle yet refused to apply it or ignored it altogether, and (2) the law ignored by the arbitrators ... [was] well defined, explicit, and clearly applicable to the case.” Id. (internal citations omitted). To facilitate this intended quick, efficient, and informal means of private dispute settlement, it has long been established that arbitrators are not required to disclose the basis or reasoning upon which their awards are made. See, e.g., Atkinson v. Sinclair Refining Co., 370 U.S. 238, 82 S.Ct. 1318, 8 L.Ed.2d 462 (1962); Kurt Orban Co. v. Angeles Metal Systems, 573 F.2d 739 (2d Cir.1978); Sobel v. Hertz, Warner & Co., 469 F.2d 1211 (2d Cir.1972); Maidman v. O’Brien, 473 F.Supp. 25 (S.D.N.Y.1979). A court, therefore, need only infer from the facts of the case the grounds for the arbitrator’s decision, even where tenuous at best. See United Paperworkers Int’l Union v. Misco, Inc., 484 U.S. 29, 108 S.Ct. 364, 98 L.Ed.2d 286 (1987). The award may be vacated “only for an overt disregard of the law and not merely for an erroneous interpretation.” Folkways Music Publishers Inc. v. Weiss, 989 F.2d 108, 111 (2d Cir.1993). Thus, the Second Circuit has repeatedly held that an award will not be vacated, “even if the arbitrator’s interpretation of the contract is clearly erroneous, so long as such Award is explained in terms that offer even a barely colorable justification for the outcome reached.” Hygrade Operators, Inc. v. Local 333 United Marine Div. ILA, AFL-CIO, 945 F.2d 18, 22 (2d Cir.1991) (citation omitted). Toward that end, the Supreme Court in Mis-co, albeit in the context of a collective bargaining agreement, proclaimed, “[a]s long'as the arbitrator is even arguably construing or applying the contract and acting within the scope of his authority, that a court is convinced he committed serious error does not suffice to overturn his decision.” Misco, 484 U.S. at 38, 108 S.Ct. at 371. The result is really not in issue, as made clear by the Second Circuit in a recent decision upholding the district court’s denial of a motion to vacate an arbitration award, in which Judge Walker stated, “in contracting for arbitration of disputes ... the parties bargained for a decision by the arbitrator, not necessarily a good one, and that is what they received.” St. Mary Home v. Service Employees Int’l Union, Dist. 1199, 116 F.3d 41, 45 (2d Cir.1997). Finally, because confirmation of an arbitration award is a “summary proceeding that merely makes what is already a final arbitration award a judgment of the court,” Barbier v. Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc., 752 F.Supp. 151, 158 (S.D.N.Y.1990), aff'd in part, rev’d in part, 948 F.2d 117 (2d Cir.1991)(internal citations omitted), the party moving to avoid summary confirmation and to vacate or modify an award, must make a highly convincing showing, Ottley v. Schwartzberg, 819 F.2d 373, 376 (2d Cir.1987), and “bears a heavy burden of proof.” Folkways Music Publishers, 989 F.2d at 111. It is against this backdrop that the Court assesses the Petitioners’ claims. II. APPLYING THE STANDARD TO THE AWARD As an initial matter, the Court notes that by agreeing to arbitrate, the parties effectively relinquished the right to a court’s decision on the merits of the dispute. See First Options, 514 U.S. at 941, 115 S.Ct. at 1923. In this posture, it is not the Court’s role to decide anew the issues of liability. The Petitioners raise issues which have individual and collective application and they will be addressed in that order. A discussion of punitive damages will follow thereafter. A. Individual Liability 1. Steven P. Sanders The Petitioners assert that the award against Sanders was rendered in manifest disregard of the law in light of the Arbitrators’ statement that “[t]he Panel recognizes that Respondent Greene and Respondent Sanders had no direct contact with the Claimant. The Award against Respondent Greene and Respondent Sanders is premised upon their participation in the overall business of Stratton-Oakmont, Inc.” (Arb. Award, Other Issues Considered and Decided). Petitioners attack this statement on three grounds: (1) it was not an issue submitted to arbitration; (2) as a matter of law a finding of personal liability requires a showing of individual culpability; and (3) it is unsupported by the evidence in the record. As previously noted, arbitrators need not set forth the reasons for their award and the Court may not require them to do so. Sobel, 469 F.2d at 1214-15. Where, as here, the arbitrators have provided a possible explanation for their reasoning, it does not change the underlying rule and the Court should not consider such statement as the complete and sole basis for the arbitrators’ conclusions, rather, the question for the Court is whether “no proper basis for the award can be inferred from the facts of the case.” Wall Street Assoc. v. Becker Paribas Inc., 27 F.3d 845, 849 (2d Cir.1994). Sanders was one of the Respondents named in Gardner’s first amended statement of claim, in which it was alleged that collectively and individually the Respondents brought about the excessive activity of Gardner’s account, breached their fiduciary duties as stock brokers, committed fraud, and violated, inter alia, Sections 10 and 20 and rule 10(b) — 5 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. (Arb. Amended Claim ¶¶ 5, 27, 30, 34, 40). Thus, Sanders was or should have been aware of his level of involvement and culpability the Claimant was alleging, and therefore Sanders’ involvement was a matter properly before the Arbitrators. The bases upon which the Arbitrators could have determined Sanders’ liability stem from relevant documents and testimonial evidence introduced during the hearing. Specifically, Sanders was listed as a Vice President, General Securities Principal, and included within the supervisory personnel in the compliance manual. (Claimant’s Ex. B00026, B00028). Sanders was the direct supervisor of Weber, who executed all of Gardner’s trades. (Claimant’s Ex. B00056 and A935). Sanders was also listed as the principal assigned to carry out Stratton’s supervisory and compliance obligations with respect to the business segments designated: (1) Security Rule 15G; (2) Principal Transactions; and (3) Market Making & Order Room. (Claimant’s Ex. B00114). Sanders testified that he was one of the original owners of Stratton Oakmont, in fact, he was “the Oakmont,” and he purchased the firm in March of 1988. He sold the firm to Jordan Belfort, Danny Porush, and Kenny Greene in October of 1989, at which time he assumed the role of manager of the trading department, or head trader. (Petitioners’ Arbitration Hearing Transcript (hereinafter “Tr.”) at 138, 139). Yet, Stratton filed a Schedule E of Form BD, listing Sanders’ home address as a new branch office of Stratton, as of August 18, 1992. (Claimant’s Ex. A965). Sanders denied ever holding the title of Vice President, although he had read the aforementioned compliance manual, and purportedly protested his designation as a securities principal with oversight of 50 brokers, although he remained in Stratton’s employ. (Tr. at 138,139,145). Sanders’ involvement in the trading activities of Weber and his role, if any, in the management of Stratton was in dispute and represented a factual determination resolved by the Arbitrators. Based upon the documentary evidence and the conflicting testimony, there was a proper factual basis upon which the Arbitrators could have found Sanders liable. The Arbitrators were not obliged to articulate the legal theory upon which their determination was made. Once again, whether the Arbitrators properly concluded that Sanders participation constituted control, negligent supervision, fraud, primary or derivative liability, or under another theory of recovery, is not for the Court to second guess. The Court does find, however, that the Arbitrators did not knowingly disregard a well defined and clearly applicable governing law when holding Sanders jointly and severally liable to the Claimant. 2. Andrew T. Greene Petitioner, Andrew T. Greene, separately moves to vacate the arbitration award based upon the theory of mistaken identity, and, as head of the Corporate Finance department he maintains that he had no connection with, or responsibility for, the trading activities at Stratton. Accordingly, Greene asserts that notwithstanding his position on the Board of Directors, he was not a “control person” as defined within the Securities Acts, and that his designation on Stratton’s Form BD as a control person is irrelevant. Mr. Greene testified to having experience in the securities industry since approximately 1989 and to possessing five securities licenses. (Tr. at 14). Greene’s affiliation and employment with Stratton spanned from March 1993 to February 1996. (Tr. at 14). In September 1993, Greene was elevated to Director of Corporate Finance and in the spring of 1994, he became one of the three members of the Board of Directors at Strat-ton, in which capacity he remained until his resignation in February 1996. (Tr. at 15). In March of 1994, Stratton added Greene on Schedule C of Form BD, as a Director and Secretary and as a “control person,” effective February 1994. (Claimant’s Ex. A983). In addition, Greene was educated in the law, having successfully passed the California Bar examination. (Tr. at 16). Greene further testified that there were no formal Board of Directors meetings, however they met from time to time. The. Board was comprised of Andrew T. Greene, Daniel M. Porush, and Jordan Shamah. (Tr. at 17,18). At the time he agreed to join the Board of Directors, Greene was aware of the ongoing administrative proceedings and investigations involving Stratton, and had read the independent consultant’s report, which was attached as an addendum to the compliance manual. (Tr. at 20-21). Greene testified that his sole involvement with the recommendations contained within the Manual was to rely upon the advice of legal counsel at Stratton and an independent auditor that the recommendations were being implemented. (Tr. at 26). Greene testified that he was aware that the SEC filed for and received a temporary restraining order, followed by a preliminary injunction and subsequently replaced by a permanent injunction for Stratton’s deliberate failure to implement the procedures in the Manual within the prescribed time period. . (Tr. at 30-33). Greene did not take any action to ensure that the court ordered temporary restraining order, which prohibited certain trading activities, was being disseminated to the brokers and complied with, nor did he see any Stratton documents in furtherance thereof, rather, he relied solely upon Shamah, (Tr. at 33-35), although he was more actively involved once the permanent injunction was ordered. (Tr. at 37). As Director of Corporate Finance, Greene was involved in and reviewed the prospectuses of new issues Stratton underwrote. (Tr. at 39, 40). Greene’s overall involvement as Director of Corporate Finance was further probed during his testimony at the hearing and Greene declared that he could not estimate the number of brokers in the Maryland office and had never seen a profit or loss statement for Stratton. (Tr. at 44). Greene described his function as Director of Corporate Finance as involving interaction with the issuers, their counsel, and the underwriter’s counsel. He would review business plans and interact with the companies and the regulators in the registration of their offers, acting as an observer and keeping records for the underwriting department. (Tr. at 46). Finally, Greene summarily testified to having no responsibility in his capacity as head of corporate finance over the sales force, the trading room or the compliance department. (Tr. at 50). As an initial point, Petitioner Greene alleges that Claimant Gardner asserted a claim against Andrew T. Greene in error, intending instead to assert a claim against Kenneth Greene. In support of this contention, Petitioner Greene refers to Claimant’s counsel’s stipulation that he was confused as to the difference between Andrew T. Greene and Kenneth Greene during Petitioner Greene’s questioning. (Tr. at 57). A review of the transcript reveals that this error occurred during two consecutive questions at the end of Greene’s testimony. Kenneth Greene was described by Andrew T. Greene as unrelated, and someone who owned the firm prior to his arrival at Stratton. (Tr. at 56). In addition, Claimant Gardner, when queried- as to whom Kenneth Greene was, testified that he thought he was a 20% owner of Stratton and believed him to be the person he thought was named in the lawsuit. (Tr. at 111). Gardner acknowledged that Weber did not mention names, but had led Gardner to believe that the people who ran the corporate structure made the price predictions of the stocks being discussed. (Tr. at 112). Petitioner Greene’s claim of mistaken identity is legally deficient. This is not an instance where the testimony and documents introduced into evidence referred to a party not before the arbitration panel while the named party was an innocuous unrelated individual. The panel made a determination as to the liability of Andrew T. Greene, based entirely on evidence and testimony pertaining to Andrew T. Greene. The fact that Kenneth Greene’s name can be found in documents produced during discovery and that the Claimant may have believed him to be a named party, does not undermine the Arbitrator’s decision. Moreover, the testimony elicited revealed that Kenneth Greene’s involvement with Stratton preceded Andrew T. Greene’s, and Andrew was already in place as Director of Corporate Finance and as a member of Stratton’s Board of Directors pri- or to Weber’s first contacts with Claimant Gardner, in November 1994. Therefore, if Kenneth Greene was the named defendant, the claim against him would have been readily dismissed, absent a showing that Kenneth Greene assumed responsibility for the liabilities of Stratton after his departure. Petitioner Greene’s main assertion in support of his motion to vacate, is that the award was issued in manifest disregard of the law. In support, Greene contends that his participation at Stratton did not warrant the imposition of “control person” liability. Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78t(a), provides: Every person who, directly or indirectly, controls any person liable under any provision of [the Exchange Act] or of any rule or regulation thereunder shall also be liable jointly and severally with and to the same extent as such controlled person to any person to whom such controlled person is liable, unless the controlling person acted in good faith and did not directly or indirectly induce the act or acts constituting the violation or cause of action. “This provision imposes secondary liability under the Exchange Act on so-called ‘controlling persons’ of entities in violation of the Act who fail to show that they acted in ‘good faith.’ ” Food & Allied Serv. Trades Dep’t v. Millfeld Trading Co., Inc., 841 F.Supp. 1386 (S.D.N.Y.1994). The SEC defines a control person as one having “the possession, directly] or indirect[ly], of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise.” 17 C.F.R. §§ 240.12b-2 (1934 Act), 230.405 (1933 Act). Petitioner correctly indicates that director status alone does not establish control person liability. See In re Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. Securities Litigation, 733 F.Supp. 668 (S.D.N.Y.1990); see also Morse v. Weingarten, 777 F.Supp. 312, 318 (S.D.N.Y.1991)(allegations that underwriter exercised control over corporation’s investments fail to state a claim for control person liability absent allegations identifying any position or title that underwriter held at corporation or any meetings which underwriter attended or conversations which he had with any of the corporation’s officers); Hemming v. Alfin Fragrances, Inc., 690 F.Supp. 239, 245 (S.D.N.Y.1988)(“A person’s status as an officer, director, or shareholder, absent more, is not enough to trigger liability under § 20.”). There must be a heightened showing requiring “in some meaningful sense culpable participants in the fraud perpétrated by controlled persons.” Lanza v. Drexel & Co., 479 F.2d 1277, 1299 (2d Cir.1973). Haying only established that Greene was a director and was designated as a control person on Schedule C of Form BD, Petitioner avers that Claimant’s evidence presented at the hearing was deficient as a matter of law in establishing “control person” liability. This conclusion is misguided, and fails to establish that the Arbitrators’ Award was decided with manifest disregard of the law. The Award must be evaluated in the context of Stratton’s activities and Greene’s involvement and knowledge therein. Greene commenced -his employment at Stratton as a holder of five securities licenses, a Juris Doctor degree, and approximately four years experience in the securities field. Meanwhile, by March of 1993, Stratton’s exploits were renowned throughout the industry. Unfortunately, this classic “boiler room” operation was still an unknown commodity for Dr. Gardner and numerous other unsuspecting investors. Greene, however, cannot profess a similar naivete. As indicated above, Greene was aware of the ongoing investigations and consent decrees to which Stratton was a party. As one of Stratton’s three members of the Board of Directors, Greene’s purported ignorance of the inner workings of this brokerage house could easily have been perceived by the Arbitrators as an unabashed mendacity. This is especially so because Greene was personally involved in the underwriting of new issues and Stratton was repeatedly criticized for its profit margins and control of the market for. these stocks. Moreover, actual control requires only the ability to direct the actions of the controlled person, and not the active exercise thereof. See Epstein v. Haas Securities Corp., 731 F.Supp. 1166, 1175 n. 5 (S.D.N.Y.1990); see also In Re JWP Inc. Securities Litigation, 928 F.Supp. 1239, 1259-60 (S.D.N.Y.1996)(audit committee which exercised oversight of the independent auditor and reported to the Board of Directors had authority to exercise sufficient control). Whether.-, control person liability should be imposed upon Greene is a question of fact. The applicable legal standard varies without and within the circuits and the good faith defense is also steeped in factual inquiry. Because errors of law and fact are not grounds for vacating an arbitral award, Siegel v. Titan Indus. Corp., 779 F.2d 891, 893 (2d Cir.1985), and because Petitioner Greene has failed to prove that the arbitrators were aware of á clearly governing legal principle and consciously decided to ignore it, see id. .at 893, a showing of manifest disregard has not been made. See, e.g. Padgett v. Dapelo, 791 F.Supp. 438, 441 (S.D.N.Y.1992)(confirming arbitration award holding directors of brokerage firm liable as control persons for securities violations). In addition, as discussed supra with respect to Sanders, the Arbitrators might have decided Greene’s culpability on other grounds, including fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting, and other bases for primary or derivative liability based upon his overall participation in Stratton. Having found that there is more than a barely colorable justification for the outcome reached, the Court need not pass judgment on the viability of alternative theories of recovery. 3, Daniel M. Porush . Porush raises much the same claims as the other Petitioners. Specifically, he asserts that the only basis upon which the Arbitrators could have determined his liability is as a control person. The analysis of the claims asserted as against all Petitioners, ripe for arbitration, as described supra, and the legal analysis for “control person” liability will not, for the sake of brevity, be repeated. Porush defends against such liability based upon his lack of knowledge of both Gardner’s account and his connection with Weber. Understandably, Porush and the other Petitioners attempt to separate themselves from their past. Porush suggests his absence of contact with Gardner and the firms discontinuance as a going concern, rendering it an easy target, compels the conclusion that his conduct could not even be loosely characterized as reprehensible, and therefore the punitive damages awarded shocks the conscience. Such claims of benign innocence and individual unawareness on Porush’s behalf strain credulity in light of the following information contained in the exhibits. As Porush declined to testify at the Arbitration hearing, adverse inferences may be drawn and his record must speak for itself. Thus, without belaboring the issue, a review of Porush’s involvement in Stratton is called for, and of course, where applicable, this will provide a further glimpse into the other Petitioners’ level of participation. Po-rush was listed on Schedule A of Form BD as a Director and Vice President with a 10% — 25% ownership share of Stratton as of March 1990, (Claimant’s Ex. A981), and a 5% — 10% ownership share as Director and Vice President dating back to October 1989. (Claimant’s Ex. A970). Beginning in February 1996, Porush was a Director, President and Treasurer with an ownership share in excess of 75%. Claimant’s two voluminous Exhibit Binders, placed into evidence at the Arbitration Hearings contain, among other items, SEC and NASD printouts of Stratton’s history of allegations, violations, arbitrations, decisions, fines, etc., far too numerous to recite. The complaints raised against Stratton and its principals, throughout the litany of claims, resonate a familiar pattern. Allegations of churning, unauthorized trading, omission of facts, suitability of the securities, failure to supervise, breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation, fraud, and manipulation arise over and over again, many during Gardner’s thirteen month period of account activity. One such example was the complaint filed in the Southern District of New York on or about March 1992. The complaint alleged violations of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws and resulted in a settlement including censure, fine, and individual suspensions and penalties. A review conducted by the SEC for the period June 1993 through April 1994, resulting in a complaint filed June 6, 1996, thoroughly explicates the conduct, culpability and control of the named members. Gardner, meanwhile, purchased his first shares of stock through Stratton on or about November 17, 1994. Only one month later, the SEC filed a complaint against Stratton, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and was granted a temporary restraining order enjoining Stratton from violating an order issued by the SEC on March 17, 1994, in settlement of fraud charges, and a special compliance monitor was appointed. The District Court was so convinced of Stratton’s continued wrongdoing that on January 11, 1995, it issued a preliminary injunction for Stratton’s violation of the TRO, finding: “the practices of Stratton are highly dangerous to the interests of the investing public and cannot be permitted to continue.... Indeed, the harm to. the investing public if Stratton is not required to comply with the report remains sufficiently severe to warrant continued court intervention at this preliminary stage because these matters so seriously impact the public interest, and because Stratton failed to comply with the TRO, it is critically important that a preliminary injunction be issued to order Stratton .to comply with the report.” (Claimant’s Ex. A803, 804). On February 28, 1995, the court issued a permanent injunction after Stratton admitted it had not complied with the preliminary injunction. (Claimant’s Ex. A805). On March 22,1995, the Delaware Securities Commission found it in the public interest to summarily suspended Stratton’s broker-dealer license. (Claimant’s Ex. A800). On April 4, 1995, the Indiana Securities Division entered a summary order suspending the broker-dealer registration of Strat-ton, based on an administrative complaint alleging that Stratton (1) engaged in dishonest and unethical practices, (2) has been enjoined by a court of competent jurisdiction, and (3) has been the subject of a determination by the SEC to have willfully violated federal securities laws. (Claimant’s Ex. A799). By October 5, 1995, the SEC filed another complaint against Stratton, Sanders and Porush which ultimately resulted in Porush and Stratton’s expulsion from NASD membership. In a contemporaneous interview, Mary Schapiro, president of the enforcement arm of the NASD, described the expulsion and stated that Stratton, the sub-jeet of 12 previous NASD regulatory actions since 1989, with two pending, “has time after time shown entire disregard of customers, the integrity of the marketplace, and its responsibilities as a broker-dealer, ... and that Stratton and Porush and Sanders (also expelled), pose an ongoing risk to the investing public.” The decision expelling Stratton found that the number and gravity of the firm’s disciplinary incidents, combined with the specific allegations it was acting on, establishes a coherent pattern of willful disregard for regulatory requirements and regulatory authority, as well as a failure of lesser steps to remediate the firm’s conduct. (Newsday, December 6, 1996). (See also Claimants Exhibits tabbed at B4 through B17 and the administrative hearings, claims, decisions and settlements, etc., contained therein). Nor can Porush or others claim this was Weber’s first problem with a customer, as numerous complaints had been previously initiated raising substantially similar allegations against Weber. (Claimant’s Ex. A749-A757). As is often the case, numerous individual losses often create substantial gains for a few. Testifying before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, Joseph Borg, Director of the Alabama Securities Commission discussed the abuses of unscrupulous broker-dealers and described the findings of a nine state, two year investigation into Stratton. The investigation centered around five initial public offerings (“IPOs”), two of which, Dual Star Technologies and Solomon Page Group Limited, Stratton sold to Gardner. Belfort, a prior principal in Stratton who was barred from association with any broker-dealer, participated in these IPOs through Porush. Belfort and Porush, the investigation revealed, would purchase the private placement shares, benefitting from stock splits prior to the IPOs, and accumulating a high percentage of ownership. Often NASDAQ would refuse to list the stock due to the high ownership percentage, leading Belfort and Po-rush to sell their shares to newly formed shell companies owned by friends in return for sizable promissory notes. As an example, Porush, Belfort and Kenneth Greene received promissory notes for over eleven million dollars from three of the five IPOs. Through stock manipulation and a pattern of bridge loans and private placements participated in by close friends and relatives, the three were able to convert a $100,000 convertible debenture into shares of a private placement which was later sold to Stratton clients netting over five million dollars. As another example, of the $12,500,000 generated by the initial public offering of Steve Madden Limited, and intended for the company, approximately $11,000,000 went to these insiders. Mr. Borg went on to describe Stratton as “probably the worst of the worst.” (As reported in the Federal News Service, Sept. 22,1997). A finding of individual liability by the Arbitrators as against Daniel Porush is fully supported by the evidence under numerous theories of recovery. Clearly, he was at the forefront of the manipulative schemes which substantially contributed to Gardner’s losses. Unequivocally, he was a control person at Stratton. The Arbitrators’ correctly determined that Porush was liable to Gardner. 4. Jordan Shamah Petitioner Jordan Shamah moves to vacate the Award on the ground that he was not given proper notice of the arbitration proceeding as required by the applicable regulations. Shamah admits to receiving a letter, dated February 11, 1997, from the NASD via regular mail, stating that the hearing of the arbitration was to be held on April 8 through April 11, 1997. (Shamah Cross-Motion to Vacate Ex. F). Shamah maintains that this was the sole notification he received from NASD of the hearing. Shamah failed to attend the hearing, either in person or by telephone. However, based upon receipt of the letter, Shamah did file an affidavit, on or about April 2, 1997, and prior to the hearing, denying all material allegations of the Statement of Claim. (Id. Ex. G). The affidavit admits knowledge of the hearing and asserts a denial of all claims against him. Shamah’s affidavit provides in relevant part: “As a result of the demise of Stratton, I am in a distressed financial condition. I am unable to retain counsel to represent me in this matter and cannot afford the expenses associated with attending the arbitration proceedings in Los Angeles in a pro se capacity. Given my current financial condition, it is highly unlikely that I will be able to pay ■ any award that is rendered against me. I will make every effort to make myself available to testify telephonically in this matter, however, due to my current financial circumstances, I will be unable to afford to travel to Los Angeles and incur travel, lodging and miscellaneous expenses.” Noteworthy, Shamah’s affidavit did not challenge the notice, or mention its purported infirmities. Shamah did not indicate in the letter how he had intended to make himself available to testify telephonically, and he did not even include a phone number where he could be reached. Yet, based on the failure to receive proper notice of the hearing, Shamah now moves to vacate the Award alleging that the Arbitrators acted in manifest disregard of the law and engaged in misconduct by arbitrarily ignoring his affidavit and exceeded their authority by rendering an award against Shamah, and that the Award against Shamah is unsupported by the evidence. An arbitration award may be vacated on the grounds that “the arbitrators exceeded their powers.” 9 U.S.C. § 10(a)(4). The proper inquiry for the Court is to “determine first whether the arbitrator acted within the scope of his authority, and second whether the award draws its essence from the agreement or is merely an example of the arbitrator’s own brand of justice.” Local 1199, Drug, Hosp. & Health Care Employees Union v. Brooks Drug Co., 956 F.2d 22, 25 (2d Cir.1992). The “scope of authority of arbitrators generally depends on the intention of the parties to an arbitration, and is determined by the agreement or submission.” Ottley v. Schwartzberg, 819 F.2d 373, 376 (2d Cir.1987). Shamah did execute a Submission Agreement on June 18, 1996, agreeing to arbitrate Gardner’s claim. (Id. Ex. E). Further, Sha-mah’s present counsel submitted a Statement of Answer to Gardner’s claim, on or about July 12, 1996, on behalf of Shamah and the other initially named Respondents (Petitioners herein). (Id. Ex. D). The controversy was properly before the Arbitrators and Sha-mah was legally bound by the authority of the Arbitrators to render a decision. It was specifically noted that “[although Respondent Jordan Shamah did not attend the arbitration, the Arbitration Panel found that Respondent Jordan Shamah had been properly served with notice of the arbitration filed against him as well as the time, date and location of the scheduled hearing.” (Arb. Award, Other Issues Considered and Decided). The NASD Code of Arbitration Procedure, Section 10318, provides: If any of the parties, after due notice, fails to appear at a hearing or at any continuation of a hearing session, the arbitrators may, in their discretion, proceed with the arbitration of the controversy. In such eases, all awards shall be rendered as if each party has entered an appearance in the matter submitted. The provision designating the time and place of the hearing, NASD Code of Arbitration Procedure, Section 10315, provides: The time and place of the initial hearing shall be determined by the Director of Arbitration and each hearing thereafter by the arbitrators. Notice of the time and place for the initial hearing shall be given at least eight (8) business days prior to the date fixed for the hearing by personal service, registered or certified mail to each of the parties unless the parties shall, by their mutual consent, waive the notice provisions under this Rule. Notice for each hearing thereafter shall be given as the arbitrators may determine. Attendance at a hearing waives notice thereof. The Court, as described supra, must grant an order confirming the arbitration award unless the award is vacated, modified, or corrected pursuant to the specifically enumerated grounds as prescribed in Sections 10 and 11 of the FAA. In light of the compelling policy reasons favoring arbitration and Sha-mah’s affirmative submission of the claim to arbitration and answer thereto, along with Shamah’s actual timely receipt of the notice of, hearing, the Court will not overturn the Award based upon a technical procedural irregularity. See, e.g. Gingiss Intern., Inc. v. Bormet, 58 F.3d 328, 332 (7th Cir.1995)(“In-adequate notice is not one of [the statutory] grounds” for vacating an arbitration award); Bernstein Seawell & Kove v. Bosarge, 813 F.2d 726, 729-30 (5th Cir.1987)(party did not receive the arbitration notice but received constructive notice of hearing, the court affirmed the confirmation of the arbitration award finding “due process is not violated if the hearing proceeds in the absence of one of thé parties when that party’s absence is the result of his decision not to attend”); Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith v. Lecopulos, 553 F.2d 842, 845 (2d Cir.1977)(“no unfairness results from giving effect to the notice they actually received”) Borop v. Toluca Pacific Securities Corp., No. 97-C-4591, 1997 WL 790588, at *2 n, 7 (N.D.Ill.Dec.17, 1997)(“Absent fraudulent or improper conduct, defective notice cannot justify an order vacating an arbitration award under Section 10 of the FAA 9 U.S.C. § 10. Thus, any defects in notice here do not provide justification for an order vacating the arbitration award.”); Matter of Lauritzen Kosan Tankers (Chemical Trading Inc.), 903 F.Supp. 635, 637 (S.D.N.Y.1995)(confirming award where party failed to receive proper notice but received actual notice through its attorney); In Matter of Arbitration Between In- terCarbon Bermuda, Ltd. and Caltex Trading and Transp. Corp., 146 F.R.D. 64, 68 (S.D.N.Y.1993)(“defects in service' of process may nevertheless be excused where considerations of fairness so require, at least in cases that arise pursuant to arbitration proceedings”); Geotech Lizenz AG v. Evergreen Systems, Inc., 697 F.Supp. 1248, 1253 (E.D.N.Y.1988)(enforcing arbitration award where notice was provided but party chose not to attend arbitration because of costs and inconvenience). Shamah received actual notice and was not prejudiced by lack of notice via registered or certified mail. Such defect does' not fall within the enumerated grounds for vacating the award. In addition, even if Shamah had participated in the hearing, there is nothing alleged in Shamah’s memoranda of law supporting his motion to vacate the award that distinguishes his participation in Stratton from the other Petitioners, and the documents introduced into evidence at the hearing fully support the Arbitrators’ findings. Shamah was one of the three members of the Board of Directors, along with Petitioners’ Greene and Porush. Testimony was also introduced indicating that Shamah was one of the Series 24 Supervisors in charge of the brokers and retail sales. Shamah was also listed as a Director and Vice President and control person on Schedule C of Form BD (Claimant’s Ex. A983). Shamah’s participation is also noted throughout, in the previously cited material. Once again, the Court concludes that there was more than a colorable justification for finding Shamah liable to Gardner. B. Collective Liability What can be gleaned from Stratton’s history is a pattern of pervasive violative trading practices designed to maximize individual gain at the expense of the unwitting investors, oftentimes in the face of censure and rebuke, and after January 11, 1995, in complete disregard of the SEC Order and the district court ordered injunctions. These were not isolated trades executed by a renegade broker named Weber. Stratton’s sales pitches were scripted, (Claimant’s Ex. A252), earmarked stocks were promoted at the expense of all others, the timing of trades was executed with precision, and the customers were maneuvered en masse, all to manipulate an issue’s market for the aggrandizement of Petitioners’ bottom line. It is clear that Petitioners Porush, Sanders and Shamah were instrumental in these nefarious endeavors. If nothing else, they were principals without principles. Although Andrew T. Greene’s role may be less readily apparent, as Director of Corporate Finance in this securities machination, his culpability is no less defined. The Court finds that there is a “colorable justification” for the Arbitrators’ finding of joint and several liability against Petitioners Sanders, Greene, Porush, and Shamah. Finally, all other issues and claims raised by the Petitioners are insufficient to establish a manifest disregard of the law or any other cognizable basis upon which the Award should be corrected, modified, or vacated, and therefore, need not be discussed herein. III. PUNITIVE DAMAGES The heart of Petitioners’ objections to the Award is the punitive damages component of $10,000,000, an amount more than 50 times the compensatory damage award of approximately $184,000. Petitioners’ attack this component of the Award on numerous grounds. These arguments — although intellectually provocative and steeped in policy considerations — do not comport with established precedent. Any discussion of punitive damages in the context of an arbitration award must begin with the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Mastrobuono v. Shearson Lehman Hutton, Inc., 514 U.S. 52, 115 S.Ct. 1212, 131 L.Ed.2d 76 (1995), and in light of the factual similarity with the case at bar, this discussion, must also end there. Petitioner Mastrobuono opened an account with respondent Shear-son, and executed a standard form client agreement. After the account was closed, petitioner initiated suit in district court alleging a mishandling of the account by respondent. The agreement contained an arbitration provision and a. choice-of-law provision. Id., 514 U.S. at 54,115 S.Ct. 1212. The respondents successfully stayed the court proceeding and compelled arbitration pursuant to the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”). A panel of arbitrators awarded compensatory damages and punitive damages, notwithstanding respondent’s assertions that the arbitrators had no authority to award punitive damages. Id. The respondents successfully moved the district court to vacate the punitive damages component of the arbitration award and the Seventh Circuit affirmed. 20 F.3d 713 (7th Cir.1994). The Seventh Circuit, as did the court below, predicated its decision on the choice-of-law provision in the agreement which specified that the contract shall be governed by New York law, and the New York Court of Appeals’ unequivocal pronouncement in Garrity v. Lyle Stuart, Inc., 40 N.Y.2d 354, 386 N.Y.S.2d 831, 353 N.E.2d 793 (1976) that in New York, the power to award punitive damages is limited to judicial tribunals and may not be exercised by arbitrators. Mastrobuono, 514 U.S. at 54, 115 S.Ct. 1212. The Supreme Court granted certiorari to decide whether a contractual choice-of-law provision may preclude an arbitral award of punitive damages that otherwise would be proper. Id. In Mastrobuono, the Court analyzed its prior arbitration decisions as they pertain to the right of parties to structure arbitration agreements as they so desire. The Court distinguished between arbitration agreements which generally foster arbitration, see Volt Info. Sciences, Inc. v. Board of Trustees of Leland Stan