Merrill Lynch Pays $40 Million to Settle Broker Churning

Posted on January 7th, 2020 at 1:23 PM
Merrill Lynch Pays $40 Million to Settle Broker Churning

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law LLC:

Churning allegations involving a former Bank of America’s Merrill Lynch (“Merrill Lynch”) broker have cost the wirehouse $40 million, and it still faces another costly complaint from another customer related to the same broker.

According to a recent InvestmentNews article, Merrill Lynch settled one case that had been pending in arbitration with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The wirehouse fired the broker involved, who had worked for Merrill since 2007.

Specifically, Robert Levine, a co-founder of the former Cabletron System, which made computer-networking equipment, alleged “unsuitable investment recommendations, excessive trading, and misrepresentation from February 2012 until December 2017.”

According to FINRA’s BrokerCheck, another claim is still pending for more than $42 million in alleged damages. It comes from Craig Benson, Levine’s co-founder at Cabletron, and a former governor of New Hampshire.

The attorneys of Eccleston Law LLC represent investors and advisors nationwide in securities and employment matters. The securities lawyers at Eccleston Law also practice a variety of other areas of practice for financial investors and advisors including Securities FraudCompliance ProtectionBreach of Fiduciary DutyFINRA Matters, and much more. Our attorneys draw on a combined experience of nearly 65 years in delivering the highest quality legal services. If you are in need of legal services, contact us to schedule a one-on-one consultation today.

Related Attorneys: James J. Eccleston

Tags: james eccleston, eccleston law, eccleston law llc, eccleston, merrill lynch, broker chruning, wirehouse, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I want to extend a tremendous thank you for your dedication, professionalism, hard work and patient demeanor through this challenging time. It was enjoyable interacting with everyone on your team, this certainly helped while dealing with the situation and working towards resolution.

Dan M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

July 26, 2024
Kentucky Advisor Sues LPL Financial for Alleged Corporate Raid

A Kentucky advisor, Mark Lamkin, has filed a lawsuit against LPL Financial, claiming the independent broker-dealer orchestrated a corporate raid that resulted in the loss of his firm’s entire book of managed assets.

July 25, 2024
FINRA Plans Fee Increases Amid Rising Costs and Losses

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has announced plans to raise fees for its approximately 3,300 broker-dealer member firms. According to AdvisorHub, the self-regulator faces soaring costs, as detailed in its annual report published at the end of June.

July 24, 2024
Raymond James Settles with Oregon Over Excessive Commissions

Raymond James recently settled a case with Oregon's Division of Financial Regulation (“DFR”), agreeing to pay nearly $200,000 over allegations of charging excessive commissions to retail investors.