Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

SEC Charges Adviser's Estate and Firm in Alleged $1.68 Million Client Fund Misappropriation Scheme

Posted on April 30th, 2026 at 12:14 PM
SEC Charges Adviser's Estate and Firm in Alleged $1.68 Million Client Fund Misappropriation Scheme

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a civil enforcement action against the estate of former investment adviser John R. Brodacki, III and his firm, Castle Hill Financial Group, LLC, alleging a years-long scheme that breached fiduciary duties and diverted client funds for personal use.

According to the SEC's complaint, Brodacki and Castle Hill solicited and obtained approximately $1.68 million from at least 18 advisory clients between June 2018 and September 2025. The agency alleges that many of these clients were elderly, retired, or seriously ill. Brodacki represented that the funds would be invested for the benefit of the clients or their family members.

The complaint asserts that Brodacki failed to invest the funds as promised. Instead, he allegedly redirected client money to cover personal and business expenses, including luxury dining, social club memberships, tuition, and travel. The SEC also alleges that he used client funds to make payments to other clients and to members of his own family.

The SEC further alleges that Brodacki and Castle Hill continued to solicit and accept client funds even after the registered investment adviser with which they were affiliated terminated the relationship in July 2025. Brodacki died on or about March 23, 2026.

The SEC has charged Brodacki and Castle Hill with violations of Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which prohibit fraudulent conduct and impose fiduciary obligations on investment advisers. The agency seeks disgorgement with prejudgment interest from Brodacki's estate, as well as civil penalties and a permanent injunction against Castle Hill.

The allegations remain unproven, and the litigation will determine the outcome of the SEC's claims.

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec enforcement, securities fraud, investment adviser misconduct, fund misappropriation, civil enforcement action

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

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

1789155492 Law
September 11, 2026
SEC Considers Investor Test to Expand Accredited Investor Eligibility

The Securities and Exchange (SEC) Chairman Paul S.

1789059399 Law
September 10, 2026
Advisors Emphasize Early Planning as Key Defense Against Elder Financial Exploitation

Elder financial exploitation has reached crisis levels, according to InvestmentNews.

1789059201 Law
September 10, 2026
FINRA Arbitration Panel Awards $509,000 in Suit Over Conservation Easement Investments

InvestmentNews reports that a three-person arbitration panel under the aegis of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Dispute Resolution Services awarded $509,000 in damages to clients of Strategic Financial Alliance Inc.