Former Wells Fargo Representative Suspended for Unauthorized Texting and Obstruction
From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Wells Fargo representative Eyan M. Townsend for one year and fined him $10,000 for using personal text messages to conduct business and attempting to obstruct an internal investigation by deleting those communications.
According to FINRA’s order, Townsend was registered as a general securities representative through Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC from March 2018 through May 24, 2024. According to ThinkAdvisor, Wells Fargo filed a Form U5 on that date, disclosing Townsend’s termination after determining that he “failed to conduct business through Firm-approved communications technology.”
ThinkAdvisor further reported that Townsend later became registered with Park Avenue Securities from July 2024 through December 20, 2024. Park Avenue’s Form U5 noted that Townsend was permitted to resign “after the Firm became aware that Townsend provided misinformation to his former firm during their internal investigation.”
FINRA found that between September 2023 and January 2024, Townsend violated FINRA Rules 4511 (general record keeping rule for member firms) and 2010 by using his personal cell phone to send business-related text messages. His actions caused Wells Fargo to fail to preserve those communications, as required under regulatory recordkeeping rules.
ThinkAdvisor reports that the order further states that during Wells Fargo’s subsequent investigation, Townsend falsely denied sending business-related text messages and deleted them from his phone in an effort to impede the firm’s review. He also asked another associated person to delete related messages, compounding the misconduct and further violating FINRA Rule 2010.
Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Townsend consented to the sanctions set forth in the FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) letter.
Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.
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