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

SEC Sanctions One Oak Capital and Advisor for Improper Conversions to Fee Based Accounts

Posted on February 28th, 2025 at 1:42 PM
SEC Sanctions One Oak Capital and Advisor for Improper Conversions to Fee Based Accounts

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has penalized a New York-based registered investment adviser and its veteran adviser for converting brokerage accounts into advisory accounts that resulted in significantly higher fees without providing additional services.

Michael DeRosa, 75, and One Oak Capital Management improperly switched more than 180 client accounts between June 2020 and October 2023, according to the SEC settlement. AdvisorHub reports that many of these clients were elderly, longtime customers who previously paid commissions per trade. After the conversion, they faced substantially increased costs, sometimes paying up to seven times more in fees, despite conducting little to no trading for over a year.

According to AdvisorHub, the SEC determined that One Oak and DeRosa violated their fiduciary duty by prioritizing their own financial interests over those of their clients. The firm was ordered to pay a $150,000 civil penalty, while DeRosa agreed to a $75,000 fine and a nine-month suspension. Additionally, DeRosa must retain an independent compliance consultant to review the firm’s policies and procedures.

The SEC’s findings showed that DeRosa and One Oak collected approximately $268,000 in advisory fees from the affected accounts. AdvisorHub also reports that, in some cases, DeRosa allegedly had clients authorize the conversions without fully disclosing the new fee structure.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, sec

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I just wanted to say thanks again for preparing and executing my case in such a professional manner. It was a pleasure to watch two professionals take such pride in their work, as well as becoming personally in tune with your client (Me). I would personally recommend you and your firm to anyone.

John O.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1794251609 Law
November 9, 2026
Court Restrains Former Citizens Advisor From Using His Memory to Recreate Customer Names in Transition to Ameriprise

A federal judge in Boston has temporarily barred former Citizens Securities advisor Darrell Smith from using client names he recalled from memory to contact former customers after moving to Ameriprise Financial.

1793987008 Law
November 6, 2026
CoreWeave Bonds Slide as Political Opposition to Data-Center Expansion Grows

CoreWeave's debt and stock price fell on November 4th as election victories by Democratic candidates opposing rapid data-center development raised concerns about the regulatory environment facing AI infrastructure companies.

1793905109 Law
November 5, 2026
SEC to Expand Examination Focus on AI Oversight and Investment Adviser Compliance in 2027

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to scrutinize how investment advisers and other regulated firms use artificial intelligence, manage technology-related risks, and protect client information.