Eccleston Law Blog

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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Morgan Stanley Terminates Veteran Financial Advisor Over Real Estate Deal

May 22nd, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Morgan Stanley has terminated advisor Erich A. Canseco, a 17-year industry veteran whose Houston-based team managed $1 billion in assets and earned recognition on Forbes’ 2024 Best-In-State rankings.
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Wave of ERISA Class Actions Challenges 401(k) Plan Practices

May 21st, 2025 at 4:11 PM
A surge in class action lawsuits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is forcing employers to reevaluate how they manage workplace retirement plans.
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IRS Clarifies Theft Loss Deductions for Scam Victims Amid Rising Fraud Risks

May 20th, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The IRS has issued new guidance clarifying when victims of financial scams can claim theft loss deductions on their taxes. According to Financial Planning, the guidance offers much-needed direction amid increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting consumers.
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