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

FINRA Penalizes Hightower Securities with $353,000 Fine & Restitution for Violations in Alternative Fund Sales

Posted on July 10th, 2023 at 11:46 AM
FINRA Penalizes Hightower Securities with $353,000 Fine & Restitution for Violations in Alternative Fund Sales

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has censured Hightower Securities, the broker-dealer for Hightower Advisors, a Chicago-based advisory firm.

As part of the settlement, Hightower Securities has been ordered to pay over $353,000 in penalties. This includes a $100,000 fine and $253,177 in restitution. The restitution will be divided between two groups of investors affected by the violations.

A portion of the restitution, amounting to $133,600, will be paid to customers who invested in a GPB Capital automotive fund. In 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission accused GPB Capital of fraud. The remaining $119,577 will be paid to investors in the LJM Preservation & Growth Fund, an options fund that experienced a significant loss in value in a single day in February 2018.

FINRA alleged that Hightower failed to disclose crucial information to potential investors in GPB sales. This information included GPB missing regulatory reporting deadlines in 2018 due to an audit following allegations of fraud by a former executive. Despite being aware of the delayed reports, Hightower sold 16 limited partnership interests worth $1.67 million in 2018. The amount of restitution corresponds to the commissions earned by Hightower from these sales, according to AdvisorHub.

The GPB sales violated FINRA's catch-all Rule 2010, requiring high standards. FINRA also stated that Hightower Securities was found to have inadequate supervision measures in place for monitoring the sales of intricate financial products. In addition, advisors at Hightower were found to have inappropriately sold approximately $190,000 worth of shares of the LJM Preservation & Growth Fund to three clients, including two customers with a low-risk tolerance. These sales took place between March 2016 and February 2018.

 

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

 

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I learned two important things working with Eccleston Law. First, I made a friend and ally with Jim and Steph for life. Secondly, and this is a crucial life lesson - if you need counsel, then seek out the very best. Jim was referred to me by a most trusted source. I've never had to hire an attorney for anything. Now, I know the value of hiring an important partner. Meticulous, thorough and detailed in preparation is the best way to describe Jim. Brilliant too, I might add. Bottom line, I would highly highly recommend Jim and Stephany for your legal needs. One of the best life decisions I've ever made.

Howard S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

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.

1782744905 Law
June 29, 2026
Former Arvest Wealth Representative Sanctioned by FINRA Over Improper Use of Mistaken Commission Payment

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Arvest Wealth representative Brandon Still for 18 months and fined him $5,000 after determining that he improperly used firm funds that were mistakenly deposited into his account.