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 am so blessed to have you and your dynamic team defending me. Your ethics, forward thinking and strategies are amazing.  You guys are the best group of attorneys in the country that I could hire to handle this complicated case.

Cindy C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1776438642 Law
April 17, 2026
Florida Advisor Sentenced to 90 Months for Foreign Currency Ponzi Scheme and Tax Evasion

A federal court sentenced John A.

1776353258 Law
April 16, 2026
Former Financial Advisor Pleads Guilty to $10 Million Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly Client

A former financial advisor has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after orchestrating a scheme that stole nearly $10 million from an elderly client, according to reporting by Financial Advisor News.

1776286541 Law
April 15, 2026
Court Issues Split Ruling in Edelman Advisor Dispute

A federal court in Delaware has delivered a mixed decision in a dispute between Edelman Financial Engines and Prime Capital Financial, underscoring the legal limits of restrictive covenants in the advisory space.