Merrill Lynch discharged Hellman on 9/20/2018 after he was found to be selling away (selling products not sold or endorsed by the firm) and failing to disclose outside business activities he was involved in while employed.
ON 12/13/2018, FINRA issued an Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (AWC) letter based on the U5 form filed by Merrill Lynch, stating their reasons for terminating his employment. Hellman neither admitted nor denied the findings, but signed the AWC letter on 11/29/2019, agreeing to the terms. A FINRA representative signed the letter on 12/13/2018, indefinitely barring Hellman in all capacities effective immediately, including affiliation with any FINRA broker firm.
Hellman is the subject of three customer disputes, two of which are pending. The most recent dispute was filed on 4/12/2019, and the previous filed on 11/28/2018. Both have similar allegations. The dispute filed in April alleges “misrepresentations from July 3, 2018 until September 19, 2018,” and requests damages of $187,672.90. The dispute filed in November alleges “misappropriation of funds and selling away on May 25, 2017 and on May 26, 2017,” with requested damages of $155,000.00.
A similar dispute filed on 9/17/2018 sought damages of $600,000, and settled by the firm for $440,000. No additional details are available.
Hellman also has four financial disclosures in his record that pre-date his time as a broker, the details of which are not disclosed. No dollar amounts are listed, only “financial,” “compromise” and “satisfied/released.” These disclosures date from 11/24/2011 through 1/5/2016.
Did You Invest With Christopher Hellman?
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