FINRA has barred former Cetera Advisors LLC broker Donna Jean Hines from the securities industry. Hines consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that she refused to appear for on-the-record testimony in connection with FINRA’s investigation into whether she facilitated a customer’s bitcoin investment for compensation. The…
FINRA has barred former WestPark Capital broker Gregory Walter McCloskey from the securities industry. According to an Office of Hearing Officers (“OHO”) order, McCloskey participated in two undisclosed private securities transactions involving a customer who was an elderly, retired widow and then sought to conceal these transactions from his member…
FINRA has suspended Stewart Schram from the securities industry for four-months for engaging in outside business activity and private securities transactions without firm approval. In addition to his suspension, Mr. Schram was also fined $7,500. FINRA began its investigation after receiving a regulatory tip. Mr. Schram is no longer associated…
We are continuing our discussion of FINRA’s 2021 Report on Risk Monitoring and Examination Activities. In Part Two, we will focus on FINRA’s comments and findings related to Variable Annuities, Outside Business Activities, and Private Securities Transactions and Private Placements. These are all areas of interest that directly affect retail…
FINRA has barred stockbroker Gary Wayne Hammond from the securities industry. On January 19, 2021, Mr. Hammond and FINRA entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”) over allegations that between February 2016 and October 2016, Mr. Hammond participated in at least 14 private securities transactions totaling $1.6…
FINRA has suspended financial advisor Rawad Roy Alame (CRD #5376696) from the securities industry for six months, fined $5,000, and ordered him to pay $2,700 to a former client. Rawad Alame was a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, working out of branch offices in Raleigh, North…
FINRA has suspended financial advisor Michael Anthony Tavel (CRD #4862463) from the securities industry for 18 months and fined him $20,000. Michael Tavel was a stockbroker at LPL Financial LLC, in Indianapolis, Indiana, from September 2004 until April 2019. He has also been affiliated with Charter Advisory Corporation and Tavel…
FINRA has barred financial advisor Michael Edward Magill (CRD #2024663) from the securities industry. Michael Magill was a stockbroker at Foreside Fund Services, LLC, in Portland, Maine, from August 2017 until January 2019. If you have lost money with Michael Magill, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP…
FINRA has barred financial advisor Matthew Jennings (CRD# 6762685) from the securities industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation. Mr. Jennings was fired by Edward Jones in August 2019 due to concerns that he introduced clients to investments not offered through the firm. This type of conduct is…