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

SEC Charges Former LPL Advisor With Misappropriating $1.7 Million

Posted on July 20th, 2022 at 2:39 PM
SEC Charges Former LPL Advisor With Misappropriating $1.7 Million

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged a former LPL advisor with misappropriating $1.7 million from at least three clients to cover personal expenses, including the purchase of a house. 

The former Georgia-based LPL advisor, Eric Hollifield, worked at LPL between October 2016 and September 2021 while additionally serving as a co-owner, managing member, and investment advisor representative of Hamilton Investment Counsel, which also was recently sanctioned by the SEC. LPL and Hamilton Investment Counsel each terminated Hollifield for failing to disclose his outside business activities (OBAs). Hollifield transferred client assets to an outside business absent the client’s permission in January 2020, according to the SEC. Hollifield siphoned the funds to his own accounts, where he used the money to cover personal expenses and eventually purchase a 37-acre property with a home for $1.7 million in Winder, Georgia, according to the SEC. 

The SEC has additionally charged Hamilton Investment Counsel and its chief compliance officer, Jeffrey Kirkpatrick, for failing to enforce the firm’s policies related to monitoring Hollifield’s outside business activities. Hamilton Investment Counsel agreed to a cease-and-desist order and a civil penalty of $150,000 while Kirkpatrick also agreed to a cease-and-desist order and a $15,000 civil penalty. 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, SEC, LPL

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

As a financial advisor with over 20 years of experience, I feel fortunate to call Jim my attorney and friend. He is a fantastic lawyer and trusted advisor. He is skilled in the matters necessary to do the job well. He uses his thoughtful approach and calm demeanor to achieve a positive outcome for the client. If you want to feel confident that nothing will be missed and that you will be represented in a highly professional manner, call Jim Eccleston.

Bill C. and Dan M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1778084309 Law
May 6, 2026
FINRA Outlines Key Rulemaking Priorities and Recent Developments in Quarterly Agenda

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently released its Quarterly Regulatory Policy Agenda, offering a detailed view of its rulemaking priorities, pending proposals, and recently approved regulatory changes.

1778000603 Law
May 5, 2026
Commonwealth Financial Network Resolves SEC Conflict of Interest Case

Commonwealth Financial Network has agreed to pay $5 million to resolve a long-standing conflict of interest case brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission, according to reporting by ThinkAdvisor.

1777908810 Law
May 4, 2026
KKR Limits Redemptions in Private Credit Fund Amid Rising Investor Withdrawals

KKR & Co.