On August 13, 2021, a FINRA arbitration panel in New York, New York, ruled in favor of a brokerage customer that invested in GPB Automotive Portfolio LP and GPB Waste Management LP at the recommendation of his financial advisor at Hightower Securities, LLC. The arbitration panel ordered Hightower Securities, LLC to refund $163,201 to the…
Continue reading ›The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Jason Seale from the securities industry for 15 business days. Mr. Seale consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that, while associated with American Wealth Management, Inc. in Novato, CA, he engaged in discretionary trading without written authorization in four customer accounts between February 2016…
Continue reading ›The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor John Cangialosi from the securities industry for nine months. Mr. Cangialosi consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that from October 2014 through December 2014, while associated with Legend Securities, Inc., and then Worden Capital Management LLC, Mr. Cangialosi excessively traded three customers’ accounts in…
Continue reading ›The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker Thomas Stratton from the securities industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation into whether Mr. Stratton misused customer funds with respect to the sale of promissory notes related to a third party’s life insurance policy, and misrepresentation thereto. The investigation was launched after FINRA…
Continue reading ›The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended former Worden Capital Management LLC supervisor Henry Bones II. Mr. Bones consented to a two-month suspension from associating with any FINRA member in all principal capacities after FINRA alleged that he failed to reasonably supervise a former broker, Christopher Orlando, that excessively traded ten customer accounts. Earlier…
Continue reading ›On August 3, 2021, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and former Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. stockbroker Eugene McAdams entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No. 2020066887801 whereby Mr. McAdams consented to a bar from the securities industry. Mr. McAdams consented to the expulsion after refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation…
Continue reading ›On August 10, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced whistleblower awards of nearly $6 million to two whistleblowers who provided information and assistance to the SEC in separate enforcement proceedings. The latest awards come after the SEC revealed on August 6, 2021, an award of more than $3.5 million to three individuals in…
Continue reading ›On August 2, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced whistleblower awards of more than $4 million to four whistleblowers who provided information and assistance to the SEC in two separate enforcement proceedings. In the first enforcement proceeding, a whistleblower was awarded more than $2 million for providing the regulator with information that launched…
Continue reading ›The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred financial advisor Enoch Booth from the securities industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation into whether Mr. Booth engaged in unauthorized private securities transactions and outside business activities. FINRA launched the investigation after Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. terminated Mr. Booth’s employment in December 2020 and…
Continue reading ›On July 21, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced an award of nearly $3 million to a whistleblower who alerted the SEC to previously unknown conduct that led to a successful SEC enforcement action. According to Emily Pasquinelli, Acting Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower, the whistleblower “provided substantial additional assistance”…
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