Add The New York Post on Google Outspoken activist short seller Andrew Left was convicted on securities fraud charges over manipulating stock prices — a surprise verdict that sent shock waves through Wall Street. A jury in Los Angeles federal court found Left, 55, guilty on one securities-fraud scheme count and 12 securities-fraud counts late Monday. The famed trader’s conviction left other short sellers wondering if they, too, are now vulnerable to market-manipulation charges. Andrew Left was convicted Monday by a federal jury in Los Angeles on securities fraud charges. Bloomberg via Getty Images “Amazing. I was actually criminally convicted on manipulating Nvidia Facebook and Tesla for telling the truth and making a profit. I am a bit speechless,” Left told DealBook. “What this does for future of free speech is chilling. Can Individual investors not talk SpaceX? Wow. Still shocked,” he added. The conviction marked a dramatic fall for the founder of Citron Research, whose reports once rattled Wall Street and sent targeted stocks tumbling. Federal prosecutors said Left used his reputation and social-media following to move stock prices in his favor, publicly touting bullish or bearish views before quickly exiting trades once prices moved. “The jury got it wrong,” Left told reporters outside court. “Obviously, this is not the end of the road for us.” He said he plans to appeal. The conviction culminated a years-long federal investigation into whether prominent short sellers used their public platforms to manipulate markets. Explore More