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

FINRA Charges Former Pruco Securities Broker With Forging Annuity Applications to Generate Commissions

Posted on April 10th, 2026 at 12:10 PM
FINRA Charges Former Pruco Securities Broker With Forging Annuity Applications to Generate Commissions

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has filed a complaint against former Pruco Securities broker Avinesh Shankar, accusing him of forging customer signatures on dozens of annuity applications in order to collect advance commissions.

According to the complaint, Shankar signed the names of 64 customers on 115 annuity applications between November 2022 and early 2024. FINRA alleges that he used electronic signature software to submit the applications without the customers' permission or knowledge. Although the annuities never were funded, Shankar allegedly received $511,609 in advanced commissions tied to the transactions.

FINRA states that the annuities remained unfunded throughout the alleged scheme. When the annuity distributor questioned the unfunded status of the applications, Shankar allegedly provided false explanations. After the annuities went unfunded for 90 days, Pruco Securities sought to recoup the advanced commissions by deducting the amounts from Shankar's paychecks and carrying forward any remaining balance, as reported by Wealth Management.

According to FINRA, Pruco confronted Shankar about the applications, and he eventually admitted that he forged the signatures to earn commissions. Wealth Management reports that Pruco terminated his employment on February 20, 2024. At the time of his termination, FINRA reports that Shankar owed the firm $163,910.71 in unearned commissions.

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra, broker misconduct, annuity fraud, pruco securities, securities regulation

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

Hiring Eccleston Law has been one of the best career decisions I have made and this "investment" to maintain my sterling regulatory record has been returned many times over.  If you are in a situation where you've been unfairly accused, don't hesitate to talk with Eccleston Law. They are the best.

Thomas C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1783012078 Law
July 2, 2026
Financial Services Institute Backs New Jersey Bill Protecting Independent Advisor Model

The Financial Services Institute (FSI) has urged New Jersey lawmakers to advance legislation that would help preserve the independent contractor status of financial advisors operating in the state.

1782920284 Law
July 1, 2026
Private Credit Funds Face Scrutiny Over Software Exposure Amid Investor Concerns

Private credit fund managers are facing increased scrutiny over their exposure to software companies as investors continue to pull money from the sector during ongoing market volatility.

1782836587 Law
June 30, 2026
FINRA Signals Stronger Enforcement Focus on Reg BI, Excessive Trading, and Best Execution

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) plans to intensify its enforcement efforts against Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) violations, excessive trading, options trading, churning, and best execution failures after bringing a record number of retail investor protection cases in 2025, according to ThinkAdvisor.