SECURITIES

Judge Denies Change in Asset Freeze: U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie in Los Angeles refused to allow Joseph L. Casperson of Irvine to modify an asset freeze ordered July 21, when the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Casperson and certain associates with fraudulent offerings of oil and gas limited partnerships. Casperson, of Irvine-based American Business Securities Inc., had requested that the asset freeze be changed to allow payment of living expenses and attorney’s fees. The judge denied a similar request from Tim L. Epps of Texas, who is also charged in the SEC complaint. The SEC alleges that Casperson, Epps and associates, through Southwest Energy Consultants Inc., have fraudulently raised $40 million through partnerships sold to more than 1,000 mostly elderly investors since 1992.