Eccleston Law Blog

Arbitration Panel Orders Morgan Stanley to Pay $843,000 for Failing to Protect Elderly Client from Fraud

February 27th, 2025 at 2:35 PM
A FINRA arbitration panel has ordered Morgan Stanley to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages to a senior client residing in Florida for failing to protect her from financial fraud. As reported by ThinkAdvisor, the panel found the firm liable for negligence in a case that highlighted the growing risk of elder financial exploitation.
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Sharp Drop in FINRA Expungement Requests as New Rules Take Effect

February 26th, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The number of brokers seeking to expunge customer complaints and other disclosures from their public records through FINRA’s arbitration forum has plunged 79 percent over the past year.
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FINRA Highlights Risks of Investing Home Equity Loan Proceeds

February 25th, 2025 at 11:20 AM
FINRA issued a reminder to financial advisors to carefully consider customers’ time horizons and risk tolerance, particularly when recommending investments using funds from a home equity loan, as reported by AdvisorHub. 
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Wells Fargo to Strengthen Financial Crimes Risk Management Amid Regulatory Agreement

February 24th, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Wells Fargo has agreed with U.S. banking regulators to enhance its financial crime risk management practices, including tightening controls over suspicious activity and money laundering.
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Financial Advisor Accepts Suspension and Fine for Misrepresenting Continuing Education Compliance

February 21st, 2025 at 1:28 PM
A financial advisor affiliated with Equity Services Inc. (ESI) has agreed to a one-month suspension and a $5,000 fine after the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) found that someone else completed his required continuing education (CE) for a state insurance license renewal.
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Vanguard Settles SEC Allegations Over Misleading Statements on Tax Implications

February 20th, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Vanguard Group has agreed to pay over $106 million to settle allegations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it misled retail investors regarding capital gains distributions and tax liabilities associated with its popular target-date retirement funds.
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Former Rubicon Wealth Management President Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges

February 20th, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Scott Mason, former president of Rubicon Wealth Management, pleaded guilty to multiple fraud charges after federal prosecutors accused him of misappropriating over $17 million from clients, including his own widowed aunt.
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FINRA Highlights Compliance Priorities for 2025

February 19th, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has released its annual regulatory oversight report, emphasizing key compliance concerns for broker-dealers.
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Regulatory Spotlight on AI in Financial Advising: Risks, Opportunities, and Compliance Needs

February 18th, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including large language models (LLMs), present both promising opportunities and notable risks for financial advisors. According to Financial Planning, as the popularity of AI grows in the financial advisory sector, regulators like FINRA and the SEC are examining potential issues closely.
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Jefferies Financial Group Dismisses Miami Advisory Team Amid Alleged Misconduct

February 14th, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Jefferies Financial Group recently terminated a team of Miami-based wealth advisors following allegations of improper money transfers and the use of unauthorized communication methods to conceal the activity.
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Hiring Eccleston Law has been one of the best career decisions I have made and this "investment" to maintain my sterling regulatory record has been returned many times over.  If you are in a situation where you've been unfairly accused, don't hesitate to talk with Eccleston Law. They are the best.

Thomas C.

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.