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

You were most helpful with my FINRA deposition. You are a good lawyer and a good person.

Dan B.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1789752835 Law
September 18, 2026
SEC Sanctions Investment Adviser and Executive for Disproportionate Trade Allocations

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has determined that the conduct of registered investment advisory firm Barrington Asset Management, and its executive vice-president and chief compliance officer, Gregory Paris, disadvantaged clients and breached their fiduciary duties owed to clients.

1789665543 Law
September 17, 2026
SEC Charges 38 Entities Over Allegedly Fraudulent Adviser Filings

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged 38 entities with allegedly making material misrepresentations in Forms ADV filed with the SEC between 2025 and 2026.

1789589290 Law
September 16, 2026
Edelman Financial Engines Secures TRO Against Advisor Who Joined RFG Advisory

Edelman Financial Engines recently secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Chad A.