Merrill Lynch Advisor Penalized for CFP Exam Misconduct

Posted on December 13th, 2024 at 9:15 AM
Merrill Lynch Advisor Penalized for CFP Exam Misconduct

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

Jeffrey Dattilo, a former Merrill Lynch advisor, has agreed to regulatory penalties for allegedly providing improper assistance to others taking the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam. Dattilo, who worked at Merrill Lynch in Summit, New Jersey, from 2018 to 2022, accepted a $5,000 fine and a one-month suspension as part of a settlement agreement.

In March 2021, after passing the CFP exam, Dattilo allegedly shared test content and questions with others through phone calls and a group text. According to AdvisorHub, this action violated the CFP Board’s testing requirements and FINRA's Rule 2010, which requires advisors to act with "high standards." Dattilo accepted the penalties without admitting or denying the findings and is no longer registered in the industry. 

AdvisorHub also reported that the CFP Board’s ethics committee found Dattilo guilty of misconduct, banning him from applying for or obtaining the CFP certification for five years. According to an April 2024 summary of enforcement actions, Dattilo shared nine exam questions in a GroupMe chat group. As a result, the CFP Board voided his exam results and required him to complete 100 hours of continuing education. Dattilo's appeal to overturn the decision was unsuccessful. The settlement did not mention any other individuals sanctioned for receiving the heads-up about the exam material.

 

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

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

April 30, 2025
Cambridge Investment Research Advisors to Pay $15 Million Fine Over Undisclosed Conflicts in Investment Recommendations

Cambridge Investment Research Advisors (CIRA) has agreed to pay $15 million to settle allegations brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which accused the firm of failing to disclose multiple conflicts of interest in its investment recommendations.

April 29, 2025
Merrill Lynch Fires Veteran Advisor for Ignoring Mandated Commission Discounts

Merrill Lynch has terminated Daniel G. Diaz, a 37-year industry veteran, for refusing to apply commission discounts to certain client accounts as instructed by management, according to his Central Registration Depository (CRD) record.

April 28, 2025
Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Barred After Fraudulent Check Allegations

Roger A. Gallagher has accepted an industry bar from FINRA rather than cooperate with a regulatory investigation. According to a FINRA Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent letter (“AWC”).