Former LPL Financial Advisor Fined and Suspended for Unauthorized Signatures

Posted on September 23rd, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Former LPL Financial Advisor Fined and Suspended for Unauthorized Signatures

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

According to AdvisorHub, Justin Y. Gerow has been fined $5,000 and suspended for three months by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) over allegations of signing customer account transfer forms without permission.

From February to March 2023, Gerow allegedly signed 12 customers’ names on 15 “representative of record change request forms” following his transition to LPL from PFS Investments in January 2023. According to the FINRA settlement letter, known as an Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”),” one customer complained about the unauthorized change in her broker-dealer, though no other clients raised concerns.

Gerow accepted the sanctions without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings. He was found in violation of FINRA Rule 2010, which mandates “high standards” of commercial honor, and Rule 4511, requiring firms to maintain accurate books and records. LPL Financial terminated Gerow in May 2023, citing his submission of non-genuine signatures to a mutual fund company. FINRA’s investigation began following LPL’s U5 termination notice.

 

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

 


It was really fun seeing you fight for us. You have an amazing way of thinking out of the box.


 

Beth M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

February 25, 2026
Advisors Increase Crypto Allocations as Merrill Lynch Warns of Significant Risks

Financial advisors are placing more client assets into digital currencies, even as major firms caution investors about the asset class's volatility and speculative nature.

February 24, 2026
Merrill Lynch Highlights AI Risks as FINRA Urges Greater Oversight of Emerging Technology

Merrill Lynch has warned that the expanded use of artificial intelligence and machine learning introduces material operational, compliance, and cybersecurity risks for advisory firms.

February 23, 2026
Drive Planning Founder Pleads Guilty to $380 Million Ponzi Scheme

Todd Burkhalter, founder and chief executive officer of Drive Planning LLC, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he orchestrated a $380 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 2,000 investors.