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

Wells Fargo and Former Advisor Ordered to Pay Customers In Churning Dispute

Posted on August 22nd, 2022 at 1:39 PM
Wells Fargo and Former Advisor Ordered to Pay Customers In Churning Dispute

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law.

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Wells Fargo and a former advisor to pay a Pennsylvania couple at least $731,000 over a churning dispute that last nearly five years.

The couple initially filed their claim with FINRA in October 2017 alleging that their Wells Fargo advisor repeatedly violated their fiduciary duty by churning accounts, completing unauthorized trades, and recommending unsuitable investments. According to FINRA, the advisors additionally failed to minimize expenses and tax liability. The former Wells Fargo advisor, Gregory Pease, departed the firm in January 2017 and has not been registered as an investment advisor since May 2021.

According to the arbitration claim, Pease “unilaterally altered risk profiles on Claimants’ account application forms, routinely churned Claimants’ investments through various investment vehicles, and placed Claimants in many investments and portfolios that exceeded Claimants’ stated risk tolerance.” The couple, Edward and Wendy Pesicka, alleged that the investments were “made with the sole purpose of generating additional commission or fees in Pease’s favor.” While the couple prevailed in arbitration, the award fell substantially short of the $9.4 million in damages the couple was initially seeking.

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, advisors, law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I am so glad I found you! Wow! I appreciate your help, concern and guidance.

RB

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.