Eccleston Law Blog

FINRA Sanctions Former Broker for Unsuitable, High-Risk GWG Bond Sales

June 6th, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended and fined a former advisor for what FINRA alleged were excessively risky investments that left clients exposed to significant losses.
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UBS Seeks to Overturn $95 Million FINRA Award Over Tesla Shorting Strategy

June 5th, 2025 at 10:54 AM
UBS Wealth Management USA has filed a petition in federal court to vacate a nearly $95 million FINRA arbitration award, arguing the decision overstepped legal bounds and imposed punitive damages that defy Iowa law, as reported by AdvisorHub.
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Jury Finds Cutter Financial Group Liable for Disclosure Failures in Annuity Sales

June 4th, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A federal jury in Massachusetts has found investment advisor Jeffrey Cutter and his firm, Cutter Financial Group, liable for failing to disclose significant commissions and conflicts of interest tied to an annuity replacement strategy sold to clients.
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Former Merrill Edge Advisor Barred by FINRA Amid Misappropriation Allegations

June 3rd, 2025 at 11:01 AM
FINRA has barred Mario L. Martinez, a market leader with Merrill Edge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after he declined to cooperate with a regulatory investigation. According to AdvisorHub, the probe began following a tip that Martinezaccepted a loan from a client, among other alleged misconduct.
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Revenue Sharing in Wealth Management Continues Despite Criticism

June 2nd, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Revenue sharing remains one of the wealth management industry’s most controversial and opaque practices.
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Former LPL Advisor Sanctioned by FINRA Over Undisclosed Real Estate Venture

May 30th, 2025 at 1:43 PM
FINRA has fined a former LPL Financial advisor and suspended him for three months after allegations surfaced that he operated a real estate development business without his firm’s approval.
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FINRA Sanctions Former Broker for Undisclosed Private Equity and Securities Activities

May 29th, 2025 at 9:51 AM
FINRA has sanctioned former registered representative Thomas A. Rapp for engaging in undisclosed outside business and private securities transactions while associated with M Holdings. The enforcement action stems from a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) Rapp submitted under FINRA Rule 9216, resolving the matter without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings.
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SEC Charges Three Texas Residents in $91 Million Ponzi Scheme

May 28th, 2025 at 12:14 PM
The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has filed charges against Kenneth W. Alexander II, Robert D. Welsh, and Caedrynn E. Conner, all Dallas-Fort Worth residents, for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that raised at least $91 million from over 200 investors.
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FINRA Opens Examination Into B. Riley's Wealth Management Operations Amid Ongoing Regulatory Pressure

May 27th, 2025 at 1:39 PM
B. Riley Financial Inc. continues to draw regulatory attention, with the firm recently disclosing that FINRA has launched a cause examination into its wealth management division. According to AdvisorHub, the firm revealed the inquiry in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Federal Judge Rejects Vanguard’s $40 Million Class Settlement, Citing Better Outcome Under SEC Deal

May 23rd, 2025 at 3:00 PM
A federal judge has rejected a proposed $40 million class-action settlement with Vanguard, finding that the deal offered little to no real value to harmed investors compared to a separate settlement the firm reached with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), according to Barron’s.
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LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 4, 2025
FINRA Suspends Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Over $180,000 in Improper Transfers

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suspended former Morgan Stanley advisor C.J. Kline for two years and imposed a $5,000 fine for allegedly executing more than $180,000 in improper fund transfers between his personal and brokerage accounts.

November 3, 2025
Former Florida Broker Pleads Guilty in $2.7 Million Investment Fraud and PPP Loan Scheme

Former Florida broker Jared Dean Eakes, 34, of Jacksonville, has pleaded guilty to wire and bank fraud in connection with a $2.7 million investment scam and a separate scheme involving over $4.75 million in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida.

October 31, 2025
Department of Labor Sued Over Illegitimate Deferred Compensation Opinion Letter

Three former Morgan Stanley advisors filed suit this week against the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), claiming the agency exceeded its authority and was unduly influenced when it issued an advisory opinion that sought to undermine their deferred compensation claims.