Ex-LPL Broker Pleads Guilty to Investment Fraud

Posted on November 25th, 2014 at 9:26 AM

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law Offices:

Blake Richards, a former broker for LPL Financial LLC, will pay more than $1.9 million in restitution to his clients to resolve an SEC fraud suit against him.

According to the SEC, since 2008, Richards misappropriated approximately $2 million from at least six investors, who typically handed over to him their retirement savings or life insurance proceeds from deceased spouses.

Richards instructed the investors to write out checks to one of two entities called “Blake Richards Investments” or “BMO Investment”. He told investors he would put their funds in fixed-income assets, variable annuities and other securities, but never did so. He then "siphoned off" their money for his personal use.

FINRA barred Richards from the industry in September, 2013.

The attorneys of Eccleston Law Offices represent investors and advisers nationwide in securities and employment matters. Our attorneys draw on a combined experience of nearly 50 years in delivering the highest quality legal services.

Related Attorneys: James J. Eccleston

Tags: LPL Financial, SEC, James Eccleston, Eccleston Law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I am so blessed to have you and your dynamic team defending me. Your ethics, forward thinking and strategies are amazing.  You guys are the best group of attorneys in the country that I could hire to handle this complicated case.

Cindy C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

March 12, 2025
GPB Capital Investors May Receive Some Compensation Under Proposed Distribution Plan

GPB Capital Holdings investors have not received returns on their investments since 2018. According to InvestmentNews, after years of litigation, a court-appointed receiver has submitted a plan to return funds to the 17,000 investors who purchased $1.8 billion in GPB limited partnerships.

March 11, 2025
Former CNBC Analyst Pleads Guilty to $2.7 Million Securities Fraud Scheme

James Arthur McDonald Jr., a former financial advisor and frequent CNBC guest analyst, has agreed to plead guilty to securities fraud, admitting to defrauding investors out of at least $2.7 million, as reported by ThinkAdvisor. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

March 10, 2025
Wells Fargo and Merrill Lynch Settle SEC Charges Over Cash Sweep Program Policies

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced settlements with Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC, Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network LLC, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated over allegations that they failed to implement proper policies and procedures for their cash sweep programs.