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

Arbitrators Clear Former Merrill Advisor Of Former Partner’s Misconduct

Posted on April 28th, 2022 at 1:23 PM
Arbitrators Clear Former Merrill Advisor Of Former Partner’s Misconduct

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

A former Kentucky-based Merrill advisor will have his record cleared of an investor complaint pertaining to the conduct of his former partner who was convicted of theft, according to a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration award. 

Patrick Strehl, who now works at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. in Louisville, was “not involved in the alleged embezzlement of funds” from an investor’s account, according to the arbitrators who authorized the expungement. Strehl’s former partner, Christopher Hibbard, received an eight-year prison sentence for embezzling funds from several client accounts. 

According to federal prosecutors, Hibbard embezzled at least $4.2 million between 2007 and 2017. The investor initially filed the claim in 2019 alleging breach of contract and fiduciary duty as well as constructive fraud while seeking $2.5 million in damages. According to BrokerCheck, Merrill agreed to a settlement with the investor for $250,000. 

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

 
 

Tags: eccleston law, finra, merrill lynch

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I cannot thank you enough for your efforts. You have proven to be a valuable resource.

Jim T.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1788893582 Law
September 8, 2026
Drive Planning Founder Sentenced to 20 Years for $380 Million Ponzi Scheme

Todd Burkhalter, founder and CEO of Georgia-based financial advisory group Drive Planning LLC, received a 20-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating a years-long Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 2,000 investors of approximately $380 million.

1788870175 Law
September 8, 2026
Merrill Lynch and Advisor Settle Court Case for $6 Million After Advisor Allegedly Exploited Grieving Widow

A financial advisor allegedly exploited a client's grief over the deaths of her father and husband, showering her with attention before persuading her to hand over millions of dollars in gifts, according to reporting by InvestmentNews.

1788461574 Law
September 3, 2026
Texas Investment Adviser Faces Washington State Charges Over Misleading Crypto Portfolio Claims

Washington state securities regulators have charged an Austin, Texas registered investment adviser (RIA) and its founder with making misleading statements about the risks tied to one of its model portfolios, which invested heavily in crypto-backed products and volatile exchange-traded funds, according to InvestmentNews.