Articles Posted in FINRA

Broker is also accused of failure to disclose unsatisfied tax liens in excess of $250,000 and borrowing $266,000 from firm customers without consent. Darnell Deans, most recently registered with Blackbook Capital, LLC in New York, is once again in hot water with FINRA. A new disclosure on his BrokerCheck record…

Florida-based broker allegedly misappropriated funds while associated with two different member firms. Carlton E. Burton passed his Series 7 General Securities Representative Exam in October 2014. He passed his Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Examination in June 2015. And in February 2016, Burton was permanently barred from associating with…

Allegations of unauthorized trading and unauthorized use of margin, along with failure to respond, drive FINRA decision Multiple customer disputes and tax liens line Ricardo A. Broome’s FINRA-generated BrokerCheck report. Most recently, allegations against Broome include unauthorized trading and unauthorized use of margin. Damages granted in customer disputes against Broome…

Allegations include violation of firm policy, unsuitability, excessive trading, unsolicited trade confirmations, among others. During a 27-year career in the securities industry, Michigan broker Merid Amde has a total of six disclosure events listed on his BrokerCheck record. The most recent disclosure event landed the broker with a 3-month suspension…

Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. discharges Acevedo and FINRA permanently bars him as a result of alleged misconduct Not only is former ING Financial Partners, Inc (now known as Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.) broker Giovanni Acevedo accused of converting over $160,000 in customer funds for his own personal use, he is…

Have you invested funds with Eugene Smietana? For investors who may have utilized the services of LPL Financial LLC broker Eugene Smietana out of Traverse City, Michigan, may have potential claims against LLP. As of September 2015, FINRA has permanently barred Smietana from acting as a broker or otherwise associating…

Broker accused of taking $1.8M in trust assets while serving as a trustee. Samuel Wylie Sloane’s 15-year career in the securities industry ended abruptly in December 2015 when FINRA permanently barred him from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities to the public. According to…

Sales practice violations, misconduct and failure to respond to a FINRA request for information lead to suspension Formerly registered with Ameriprise Financial in California, ex-broker Li-Line Hsu was recently suspended by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He was suspended under Rule 9552 which was failure to keep information current…

Failure to provide on-the-record testimony to FINRA results in disciplinary action After termination from employment with Morgan Stanley in 2014 following allegations surrounding his status as an executor and beneficiary in a client’s estate and his use of discretion in several client accounts, broker Justin Amaral has been permanently barred…

Disciplinary action pending against Wilton Manors, FL financial advisor Giovanni Acevedo could be facing disciplinary action from FINRA after a complaint that he allegedly converted more than $160,000 in customer funds. According to the report, he allegedly told a customer he would invest a $68,000 check she wrote to the…