Securities Arbitration Lawyer Blog
FINRA has barred former Wells Fargo broker Courtney Michelle Kaplan from the securities industry. Kaplan consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that she refused to provide documents and information requested by FINRA during an investigation into allegations made in a Form U5 amendment filed by Wells Fargo. Kaplan was registered with the firm between June 2017 and March 2019.
The FINRA findings stated that Wells Fargo commenced an internal review after a former client’s daughter alleged that Kaplan borrowed money from her father and that Kaplan and her husband were beneficiaries under her father’s will.
If you have suffered investment losses with Courtney Michelle Kaplan, or Wells Fargo, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.
Iorio Altamirano LLP represents investors nationwide that have disputes with their financial advisors or brokerage firms.
FINRA Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No. 2021071439701
Courtney Michelle Kaplan and FINRA entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”) on September 30, 2021, after FINRA alleged that Kaplan refused to provide information and documents that were requested pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210, in violation of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.
FINRA indicated that this matter originated from the Form U5 amendment filed by Wells Fargo on May 19, 2021.
FINRA Rule 8210(a)(1) provides, in relevant part, that FINRA has the right to “require a member, person associated with a member, or any other person subject to FINRA’s jurisdiction to provide information orally, in writing, or electronically . . . with respect to any matter involved in the investigation.” FINRA Rule 8210(c) provides that “[n]o member or person shall fail to provide information . . . pursuant to this Rule.” A failure to comply with a request for documents and information issued pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210 also violates FINRA Rule 2010, which requires associated persons to “observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.”
On July 23, 2021, FINRA sent a request to Kaplan for the production of information and documents related to the allegations in the Form U5 amendment filed by Wells Fargo. On August 3, 2021, in a signed letter to FINRA, Kaplan stated that she would “not produce documents or provide information in connection with FINRA’s investigation into the matter at any time.” Additionally, Kaplan did not produce any of the requested documents or information by the deadline provided to her by FINRA.
On August 26, 2021, FINRA staff sent a second request to Kaplan to provide the previously requested documents and information. Kaplan informed FINRA that she would not produce the information or documents requested at any time.
By refusing to produce the information and documents as requested pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210, Kaplan violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.
Courtney Michelle Kaplan (CRD#: 5249375)
Kaplan entered the securities industry in 2007. She was most recently registered with LPL Financial LLC in Palm Harbor, Florida, between March 2019 and July 2021.
Kaplan was registered with Wells Fargo between June 2017 and March 2019. She was also registered with Cetera Investment Services LLC between April 2016 and July 2017.
How to Recover Losses or Obtain a Free Consultation
If you have suffered investment losses with Courtney Michelle Kaplan, or Wells Fargo, contact New York securities arbitration lawyer Jorge Altamirano of Iorio Altamirano LLP at jorge@ia-law.com or toll-free at (855) 430-4010 for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.
Iorio Altamirano LLP is a securities arbitration law firm based in New York, NY. We pursue FINRA arbitration claims nationwide on behalf of investors to recover financial losses arising out of wrongful conduct by financial advisors and brokerage firms.