Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

Advisor Accepts Industry Bar Amid FINRA Probe into Outside Business Activities

Posted on February 23rd, 2024 at 1:23 PM
Advisor Accepts Industry Bar Amid FINRA Probe into Outside Business Activities

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

John A. Dougherty, a veteran advisor with 23 years of experience, agreed to an AWC (Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent) after refusing to cooperate with a regulatory investigation into allegations of undisclosed outside business activities.

The settlement with FINRA did not specify the nature of the undisclosed outside business. FINRA cited violations of Rule 8210, which mandates advisors to provide information for investigations when requested, and Rule 2010, which requires adherence to "high standards of commercial honor."

According to AdvisorHub, the investigation by FINRA originated from LPL Financial's Form U-5 employment termination notice. The U-5 indicated Dougherty's discharge for allegedly engaging in outside business activities without the firm's approval and participating in private investments without proper authorization.

Dougherty neither admitted nor denied the accusations, as stated in the AWC.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I just received this letter from the CFP Board. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!

David Y

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1780079651 Law
May 29, 2026
SEC Investigating Fraud Allegations in Private Credit Industry

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) actively is investigating allegations of fraud involving private credit firms, signaling continued regulatory scrutiny of the rapidly expanding sector.

1779992462 Law
May 28, 2026
FINRA Adopts New Rules to Accelerate Arbitration for Elderly and Vulnerable Investors

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has adopted amendments to its Code of Arbitration Procedure to expedite arbitration proceedings for certain eligible parties, according to regulatory updates.

L
May 27, 2026
FINRA Sanctions Cambridge Investment Research for Supervisory Failure in Variable Annuity Exchanges

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has censured Cambridge Investment Research and ordered the firm to pay nearly $280,000 after finding that it failed to properly supervise variable annuity exchanges, according to AdvisorHub.