FINRA Fines Ameriprise and Advisor for Altering Documents
From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law Offices:
FINRA has fined and temporarily suspended a financial advisor with Ameriprise for altering a client’s documents without authority during an arbitration hearing, and also has fined Ameriprise for knowingly keeping quiet about the changes.
The investigation by FINRA stems out of a 2008 arbitration case between Ameriprise advisor David B. Tysk and a former client, Guenther Roth, who complained that Tysk had advised and bought more than $2 million in unsuitable annuities in his fixed-income account.
During that arbitration process, Roth questioned computer notes prepared by Tysk of his contacts with him and asked to examine those notes. But his request was stonewalled by the advisor and Ameriprise. Tysk didn't say anything about changes made to his notes for months, until close to the arbitration hearing date. Nonetheless, neither Ameriprise nor Tysk informed Roth that the notes had been altered.
Tysk was fined $50,000 and given a three month suspension from any financial advisory activity. FINRA fined Ameriprise $100,000 for wrongful conduct that was intentional, persisted over a period of months, and was inconsistent with the principles of fairness promoted by the rules governing the arbitration discovery process.
The attorneys of Eccleston Law Offices represent investors and advisers nationwide in securities and employment matters. Our attorneys draw on a combined experience of nearly 50 years in delivering the highest quality legal services.
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Tags: FINRA, Ameriprise, David B. Tysk, Guenther Roth