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

Former Ameriprise Broker Ordered to Pay $2.2 Million for Elder Exploitation

Posted on November 6th, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Former Ameriprise Broker Ordered to Pay $2.2 Million for Elder Exploitation

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Eric A. Dupre to pay nearly $2.2 million in damages to his former firm and two customers following allegations of theft and elder exploitation.

According to the FINRA award, Dupre must pay $1.1 million to Ameriprise and nearly $1.1 million to the customers, Albert and Kathleen Vale. As reported by AdvisorHub, the Vales alleged that Dupre placed the “vast majority” of their funds into unsuitable and underperforming investments, resulting in significant losses. They also claimed Ameriprise “failed to take any meaningful actions” to prevent or remedy Dupre’s misconduct.

The Vales had initially sought over $3 million in compensatory damages, along with unspecified exemplary damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs. The arbitration panel held Ameriprise responsible for all FINRA fees and costs associated with the matter.

AdvisorHub reports that, an Ameriprise spokesperson stated that the firm was pleased to have resolved the case, adding, “Mr. Dupre violated firm policy and was terminated. He circumvented our controls by conducting his activity away from the firm, and his actions were wholly inconsistent with our code of conduct and strict compliance standards.”

Dupre was barred by FINRA in July 2024 after investigators found that he borrowed more than $2.2 million from three customers without firm approval between September 2022 and February 2023. Most of the borrowed funds came from a 77-year-old client, while an additional $65,000 was borrowed from a married couple. Dupre repaid the smaller loan in December 2022 but left the elderly client with significant margin debt after encouraging him to borrow from his Ameriprise account.

AdvisorHub’s review of Dupre’s BrokerCheck record shows two settled customer complaints, including one related to the Vale arbitration. Another complaint, from 2011, settled for $75,000 over allegations of misrepresentation.

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 cannot thank you enough for your efforts. You have proven to be a valuable resource.

Jim T.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1781893504 Law
June 19, 2026
FINRA Suspends Former Stifel Rep for Undisclosed Customer Settlements

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended a former Stifel representative for three months and imposed a $10,000 fine after finding that she settled customer complaints without notifying her firm and conducted securities-related communications through an unapproved personal device.

1781798110 Law
June 18, 2026
Silver Star Properties REIT Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Mounting Defaults and Investor Losses

Silver Star Properties REIT, a publicly registered nontraded real estate investment trust formerly known as Hartman Short Term Income Properties XX Inc., has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to reports by AltsWire.

1781712614 Law
June 17, 2026
As Wealth Management Consolidation Accelerates, Some Advisors Reevaluate the Meaning of Independence

According to AdvisorHub, the independent wealth management industry has entered a new phase of evolution, prompting some advisors to question whether the firms that once championed independence now increasingly resemble the traditional institutions many advisors left behind.