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

Barred Advisor Continues Pattern of Settlements at Western International Securities

Posted on January 23rd, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Barred Advisor Continues Pattern of Settlements at Western International Securities

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

Chris Kennedy, a barred advisor formerly associated with Western International Securities, has agreed to a $2.1 million settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations of high-volume trading, or churning, in client accounts. According to InvestmentNews, the settlement caps a year of increased regulatory scrutiny on former Western International Securities advisors following the firm’s acquisition by LPL Financial Holdings through its purchase of the Atria Wealth Solutions network of broker-dealers.

Between July 2020 and July 2021, Kennedy allegedly violated Regulation Best Interest by recommending a short-term, high-volume trading strategy to 19 retail brokerage accounts without a reasonable basis. According to InvestmentNews, the SEC’s complaint indicated this strategy resulted in over $363 million in transactions, leading to customer losses exceeding $9 million.

Kennedy’s case is not the only regulatory issue tied to Western International Securities this year. Over the summer, the firm faced approximately $1.7 million in regulatory penalties, including an SEC settlement over Regulation Best Interest violations. That case involved the sale of bonds issued by GWG Holdings, a company that filed for bankruptcy in April 2022. Another former Western International advisor was barred by FINRA earlier this year for misappropriating client funds over 17 years, as reported by InvestmentNews.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

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

1777479103 Law
April 29, 2026
Hightower Advisors Faces Class Action Over Alleged Data Breach

Hightower Holding LLC is facing a class action lawsuit alleging that the firm failed to protect sensitive personal information following a data breach affecting thousands of individuals, according to reporting by Financial Advisor News.

1777391003 Law
April 28, 2026
Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Faces Trial Over Alleged Scheme Targeting NBA Players

A former Morgan Stanley financial advisor is charged with defrauding professional basketball players through complex investment transactions involving viatical settlements, according to reporting by InvestmentNews.

1777309136 Law
April 27, 2026
Blackstone's Private Credit Fund (BCRED) Meets Record Redemption Demand

Blackstone Inc.