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

FINRA Fines and Suspends Advisor for Selling Away and Receiving Client Loans

Posted on June 25th, 2025 at 11:26 AM
FINRA Fines and Suspends Advisor for Selling Away and Receiving Client Loans

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has sanctioned Jose Antonio “Tony” Navarro for selling unapproved investments and borrowing funds from clients. As reported by AdvisorHub, the settlement imposes a $20,000 fine and a one-year suspension from associating with any FINRA member firm in all capacities.

According to the FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent letter (“AWC”), between May 2017 and March 2020, Navarro recommended that five customers invest a total of $87,500 in an alternative energy company while registered with LPL Financial and later Independent Financial Group (“IFG”). Navarro personally invested in the company, introduced clients to its leadership, and facilitated their investments. The company ultimately filed for bankruptcy in July 2022.

The AWC notes that Navarro falsely certified on internal compliance forms that he had not participated in selling away, a violation of firm policy and regulatory rules. In May 2023, when FINRA requested information on investors tied to the company, Navarro initially identified only one customer. He disclosed the remaining four after follow-up inquiries.

Further, between 2019 and 2022, while at IFG, Navarro borrowed $80,000 from two clients through his tax preparation business. Although he had firm approval to operate the business, he did not obtain prior written consent for those personal loans, later repaying them with interest. FINRA found that Navarro falsely attested on compliance documents that he neither solicited nor accepted loans from clients.

Navarro, a 30-year industry veteran, remains registered as an investment adviser through Newbridge Financial Services Group, according to AdvisorHub.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I am grateful to have found an outstanding law firm that specializes in securities matters. My lawyers were extremely knowledgeable, diligent, and are skilled litigators. No stone was left upturned. As a result of their experience and tenacity, the arbitration proceeding was dismissed in my favor.

Michael E.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1774973592 Law
March 31, 2026
Cybersecurity Breach at Edelman Financial Engines Highlights Growing Risks for Advisory Firms

A recent cybersecurity incident involving Edelman Financial Engines has drawn attention to the increasing number of cyberattacks targeting registered investment advisers, according to Financial Advisor News.

1774884494 Law
March 30, 2026
SEC and CFTC Plan Coordinated Examinations and Enforcement Efforts

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) plan to coordinate examinations and enforcement actions involving firms that fall under both agencies' jurisdiction, signaling a renewed effort to streamline regulatory oversight, according to AdvisorHub.

1774622627 Law
March 27, 2026
FINRA Charges Former Pruco Securities Representative With Forging Dozens of Customer Signatures on Annuity Applications

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) filed a disciplinary complaint against former Pruco Securities representative Avinesh Shankar alleging he forged customer signatures on annuity paperwork to obtain commissions, according to ThinkAdvisor.