FINRA Suspends Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Over Unauthorized Trades

Posted on December 6th, 2022 at 2:10 PM
FINRA Suspends Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Over Unauthorized Trades

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued a 20-day suspension and a $6,000 fine to a former Morgan Stanley advisor for allegedly completing several unauthorized trades.

The former California-based advisor, David Lau, placed 194 trades in five client accounts without obtaining written authorization between March and October 2020, according to FINRA. Lau consented to the suspension and fine without admitting or denying any of FINRA’s investigatory findings. Lau has no other disclosures on his record besides Morgan Stanley’s previous allegations and FINRA’s recent discipline.

According to BrokerCheck, Morgan Stanley terminated Lau in March 2021 over allegations of unauthorized trading, and Morgan Stanley’s U5 termination filing subsequently initiated FINRA’s probe. One month after his termination from Morgan Stanley, Lau joined Gladstone Wealth Partners, an LPL Financial affiliate, where he has maintained his investment advisor license, according to FINRA.

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, advisors, law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

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

January 15, 2026
FINRA Flags Risks of Early Withdrawals and Exchanges in Registered Index-Linked Annuities

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued a renewed warning to the industry about the risks consumers face when they exit registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) before the end of the contract term.

January 14, 2026
FINRA Fines and Suspends Wells Fargo Advisor Over Fictitious Expense Claims

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined and suspended a Wells Fargo Advisors representative in Waco, Texas, after finding that he submitted fictitious business expense claims, according to a FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) letter.

January 12, 2026
Florida Man Indicted in $36 Million Investment Fraud Scheme

According to news sources, federal prosecutors allege that a Florida man orchestrated a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that funded a luxury lifestyle built on stolen investor money, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.