SEC Charges Financial Advisor With Misappropriating Funds From NBA Players

Posted on March 31st, 2023 at 1:18 PM
SEC Charges Financial Advisor With Misappropriating Funds From NBA Players

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged a former Morgan Stanley advisor, Darryl Cohen, with misappropriating nearly $1 million from three current and former NBA players over a two-and-a-half-year period.

Cohen allegedly misappropriated client funds between October 2017 and April 2020 and used the money to support his son’s amateur basketball program, purchase a home gym, and pay purported returns to previous investors, according to the SEC. The SEC further alleges that Cohen sold life insurance settlements to clients for kickbacks to fund his spending. Prosecutors allege that Cohen took in nearly $246,000 in undisclosed kickbacks. “As the complaint alleges, instead of protecting his clients’ investments, Cohen took advantage of their trust for his personal gain”, said Andrew Dean, Co-Chief of the Asset Management Unit.

The SEC, which filed its complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, is seeking permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement, and a civil penalty. Furthermore, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has announced its intention to file criminal charges against Cohen. A Morgan Stanley spokesperson noted that the firm has “fully cooperated” with investigators, and has paid nearly $5.9 million in five settlements related to Cohen’s conduct.

 

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

 

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I cannot thank you enough for your guidance. It's a good feeling knowing someone is fighting for you.

Matt J.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 22, 2025
FINRA Overhauls Arbitration Rules to Rebalance Arbitrator Selection and Codify Forum Practices

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has approved significant amendments to its Codes of Arbitration Procedure designed to rebalance public arbitrator selection, increase transparency, and formalize several long-standing practices in the arbitration forum.

December 19, 2025
Industry Groups Press Senate at Advance Financial Exploitation Prevention Act

Several industry associations are urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, legislation that would allow mutual fund companies and their transfer agents to delay redemptions when they reasonably suspect elder financial abuse.

December 18, 2025
UBS Warns of Rising Default Risk in Private Credit

A UBS report signals that credit stress likely will intensify next year as borrowers confront inflation, elevated interest costs, and softening consumer conditions.