FINRA Fines Ameriprise and Advisor for Altering Documents

Posted on November 1st, 2014 at 10:28 AM

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law Offices:

FINRA has fined and temporarily suspended a financial advisor with Ameriprise for altering a client’s documents without authority during an arbitration hearing, and also has fined Ameriprise for knowingly keeping quiet about the changes.

The investigation by FINRA stems out of a 2008 arbitration case between Ameriprise advisor David B. Tysk and a former client, Guenther Roth, who complained that Tysk had advised and bought more than $2 million in unsuitable annuities in his fixed-income account.

During that arbitration process, Roth questioned computer notes prepared by Tysk of his contacts with him and asked to examine those notes. But his request was stonewalled by the advisor and Ameriprise. Tysk didn't say anything about changes made to his notes for months, until close to the arbitration hearing date. Nonetheless, neither Ameriprise nor Tysk informed Roth that the notes had been altered.

Tysk was fined $50,000 and given a three month suspension from any financial advisory activity. FINRA fined Ameriprise $100,000 for wrongful conduct that was intentional, persisted over a period of months, and was inconsistent with the principles of fairness promoted by the rules governing the arbitration discovery process.

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: FINRA, Ameriprise, David B. Tysk, Guenther Roth

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

I cannot thank you enough for your efforts. You have proven to be a valuable resource

Jim T.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

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.

March 7, 2025
FINRA Orders $8.2 Million in Restitution for Mutual Fund Customers

FINRA has directed Edward Jones, Osaic Wealth, Inc., and Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. to pay more than $8.2 million in restitution to customers harmed by failures to provide mutual fund sales charge waivers and fee rebates.