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Eccleston Law Blog

Hightower Sues Texas Advisor Who Departed For Avidian

February 23rd, 2023 at 4:29 PM
Hightower Advisors has filed suit against a Texas-based advisor, James McGinness, for allegedly misappropriating confidential client information and improperly soliciting his former clients in violation of his employment agreement. 
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Hartman vREIT XXI Suspends Investor Distributions

February 22nd, 2023 at 4:38 PM
Hartman vREIT XXI announced that its sponsor, Hartman Income REIT Management, has indefinitely suspended investor distributions. 
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SEC Charges Centaurus Financial, Branch Manager, and Advisor Over Unsuitable Recommendations of Complex Structured Securities

February 21st, 2023 at 2:29 PM
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has agreed to a settlement with Centaurus Financial, branch manager Ricky Mantei, and financial advisor Atul Makharia over unsuitable recommendations of variable interest rate structure products (VRSPs) to certain retail customers. 
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DOJ Probes Silvergate Over FTX, Alameda Research Involvement

February 20th, 2023 at 4:00 PM
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Silvergate’s dealings with FTX and Alameda Research, including Silvergate’s hosting of accounts tied to Sam Bankman-Fried’s businesses. 
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SEC Uncovers Massive $500 Million Ponzi Scheme

February 17th, 2023 at 2:30 PM
After Las Vegas investigative reporter Jeff German was killed outside his home in September 2022, The Washington Post and the Las Vegas Review-Journal collaborated to complete one of the stories German had planned to pursue prior to his death. 
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FINRA Suspends Two New York Advisors Over Reg BI Violations

February 16th, 2023 at 4:24 PM
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended two New York-based advisors for violating Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). 
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J.P. Morgan Files Suit Against Two Advisors Who Departed For Merrill Lynch

February 15th, 2023 at 4:21 PM
J.P. Morgan has asked a New York state court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) barring two of its former advisors from soliciting their former clients.
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SEC Settles With Moors & Cabot For $1.9 Million Over Disclosure Failures

February 14th, 2023 at 2:00 PM
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered Moors & Cabot to pay $2 million to settle allegations that the firm breached its fiduciary duty to its clients by failing to disclose payments it received from clearing brokers. 
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FINRA Bars Former UBS Advisor Who Allegedly Misappropriated $7.2 Million

February 13th, 2023 at 2:00 PM
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred a former UBS financial advisor for allegedly misappropriating millions of dollars from clients. 
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SEC Issues New Warning Regarding Reg BI Compliance Lapses

February 10th, 2023 at 1:54 PM
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a warning indicating that financial advisory firms are relying on outdated systems to achieve compliance with Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). 
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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.

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