FINRA Bars Former Ladenburg Advisor Accused of Forging Client Signatures
From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:
An ex-Ladenburg Thalmann Triad Advisor, Nathan Katz, has been barred from the industry by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for allegedly forging client signatures and completing unauthorized trades in client accounts. Katz signed a FINRA AWC (letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent) in which he consented to a bar from the industry after refusing to produce documents as part of FINRA’s investigation.
Katz entered the industry as a general securities representative with Triad Advisors in June 2001. In August 2018, Triad filed a Form U-5 (Uniform Termination Notice) discharging Katz from the firm after a “signature irregularity was noted on a customer document and prompted an internal review, which included an on-site field audit and discussions”, according to BrokerCheck. Katz then became registered as a rep through American Independent Securities Group (AISG) in October 2018.
In January 2021, however, AISG filed a Form U-5 discharging Katz from the firm for “[e]xercising discretion in a client’s account without written authorization and conduct inconsistent with AISG’s policies”, according to FINRA. FINRA sent Katz a request for the production of documents and information in May 2021, but Katz acknowledged his receipt of the request and refused to produce the information or documents.
Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.
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