---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000038777-25-000273"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "BEN"
cik: "0000038777"
company_name: "FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC"
filed_at: "2025-12-15T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T13:16:55.525678+00:00"
event_type: "litigation"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# DOJ prepared to resolve Western Asset investigation without criminal charges

## Summary
- DOJ informed Franklin Resources on Dec 13, 2025 it will not file criminal charges against Western Asset in United States v. Leech case.
- Resolution discussions ongoing; additional time needed due to circumstances not attributable to Western Asset.
- Western Asset's full cooperation with the DOJ investigation acknowledged.
- Internal investigation into past trade allocations involving treasury derivatives continues.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000038777-25-000273
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: BEN
- cik: 0000038777
- company_name: FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC
- filed_at: 2025-12-15T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: litigation
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 8.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/38777/000003877725000273/0000038777-25-000273-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/38777/000003877725000273/ben-20251213.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000038777-25-000273
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000038777-25-000273.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000038777-25-000273.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.