Eccleston Law Blog

Merrill Lynch Advisor Penalized for CFP Exam Misconduct

December 13th, 2024 at 9:15 AM
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.
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Paychex Securities Advisor Penalized for Undisclosed Referral Agreement with RIA

December 13th, 2024 at 8:59 AM
A former advisor has agreed to a $7,500 fine and a six-month suspension following allegations of failing to disclose a referral agreement with an outside registered investment advisory (RIA) firm.
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Brokerage Firms Shift Away from Centralized Portfolio Management as Advisor Autonomy Grows

December 11th, 2024 at 11:03 AM
After years of promoting centralized portfolio management, brokerage firms are increasingly supporting advisors who prefer more control over investment decisions, according to AdvisorHub. 
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Former Wells Fargo Advisor Pleads Guilty to $3 Million Fraud Scheme

December 10th, 2024 at 11:18 AM
A former Wells Fargo advisor, Kenneth A. Welsh, has pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and investment advisor fraud after stealing over $3 million from his clients, according to WealthManagement.
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Court Dismisses Whistleblower Lawsuit Against Fidelity Investments

December 9th, 2024 at 11:14 AM
A federal court has dismissed a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former financial advisor against Fidelity Investments. According to ThinkAdvisor, the case involves allegations that the company fired him for reporting unethical practices.
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Former Tesla and Lyft Executive Launches ETF Firm

December 6th, 2024 at 1:22 PM
Jon McNeill, a former executive at Tesla and Lyft and co-founder of venture firm DVx Ventures, has partnered with ETF pioneer Adam Patti to launch VistaShares, an asset management firm specializing in ETFs centered on artificial intelligence and electrification.
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SEC Charges Boca Raton Advisor with $2.1 Million Fraud Scheme

December 5th, 2024 at 3:58 PM
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged David Kushner, a Boca Raton, Florida resident, and his company, La Mancha Funding Corp., with defrauding nearly two dozen investors out of approximately $2.1 million.
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Wells Fargo Advisors Ordered to Pay $500,000 for Misuse of Former Advisor's Name

December 4th, 2024 at 3:55 PM
Wells Fargo Advisors must pay nearly $500,000 in damages to Nicholas Takahashi, for allegedly using his name on their website long after he left for a competitor.
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Client Associates Sue Firms Over Discrimination and Wrongful Termination

December 3rd, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Three former client associates have accused major financial institutions—Charles Schwab, Morgan Stanley, and Ameriprise Financial—of wrongful termination.
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Wells Fargo Terminates Advisor Over $60 Personal Expense

December 3rd, 2024 at 9:07 AM
Wells Fargo Advisors recently terminated Charles J. Kraft, a 30-year industry veteran, over a $60 expense account infraction.
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TESTIMONIALS

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Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

July 11, 2025
FINRA Advances Proposal to Allow Limited Use of Performance Projections

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) is moving forward with a proposal that would give broker-dealers limited ability to market performance projections and targeted returns under specific conditions.

July 10, 2025
SEC Permanently Bars Brite Advisors USA Over Custody Rule Violations and Undisclosed Conflicts

The SEC has permanently barred Brite Advisors USA from operating as an investment adviser, citing serious custody rule violations and undisclosed conflicts of interest tied to its offshore affiliate, as reported by Financial Advisor News.

July 9, 2025
UBS Confirms Data Breach After Cyberattack on External Vendor

UBS Group AG has confirmed that a cyberattack on one of its third-party suppliers resulted in stolen company information, though no client data was compromised.