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

FINRA Fines Two Firms Over Mutual Fund Sales

Posted on January 4th, 2022 at 1:16 PM
FINRA Fines Two Firms Over Mutual Fund Sales

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has fined Emerson Equity $1.7 million, citing several years of faulty supervision of short-term mutual fund trades. Additionally, FINRA levied a $705,000 penalty on Triad Advisors due to lackluster supervision of sales for an alternative mutual fund, the LJM Preservation & Growth Fund, which closed in 2018. 

According to FINRA, Emerson Equity employs at least 200 advisors across fifty offices while the firm primarily markets private placements. FINRA alleged that Emerson’s CEO, Dominic Baldini, failed to design supervisory systems to oversee short-term mutual fund trades between 2015 and 2020. Implementation of supervisory systems would have allowed Emerson Equity to adhere to FINRA’s suitability rules, according to FINRA. 

Emerson Equity failed to supervise the trading activity of one unnamed advisor in particular, who generated at least $1.6 million in unnecessary fees over a five-year period. Emerson Equity and Baldini settled with FINRA without admitting or denying any of FINRA’s investigatory findings. Emerson Equity received a $60,000 fine and agreed to pay at least $1.6 million in restitution to customers. Further, Baldini was fined $5,000 and was also suspended for twenty days. 

Similarly, Triad Advisors received a fine of $195,000 and agreed to pay $510,000 in restitution to clients. 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra, fines

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1793987008 Law
November 6, 2026
CoreWeave Bonds Slide as Political Opposition to Data-Center Expansion Grows

CoreWeave's debt and stock price fell on November 4th as election victories by Democratic candidates opposing rapid data-center development raised concerns about the regulatory environment facing AI infrastructure companies.

1793905109 Law
November 5, 2026
SEC to Expand Examination Focus on AI Oversight and Investment Adviser Compliance in 2027

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to scrutinize how investment advisers and other regulated firms use artificial intelligence, manage technology-related risks, and protect client information.

1793817807 Law
November 4, 2026
Bank of America Faces More Than $1.21 Billion in Penalties Over Money Laundering and Sanctions Failures

Federal regulators have imposed more than $1.21 billion in penalties against Bank of America for anti-money laundering and compliance failures.