FINRA Panel Order Advisor to Pay $2.6 Million for Soliciting Former Clients

Posted on June 26th, 2024 at 3:14 PM
FINRA Panel Order Advisor to Pay $2.6 Million for Soliciting Former Clients

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

A FINRA arbitration panel ruled against advisor Nicole E. Sennett for allegedly attempting to solicit former clients after selling her practice to Monocacy Wealth Partners. The panel ordered Sennett to pay $2,557,000 in compensatory damages to Monocacy, based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and its founding partners, Scott A. Brantingson and Scott M. Brantingson.

According to AdvisorHub, in addition to the monetary damages, the arbitrators issued an injunction preventing Sennett from soliciting any clients listed in the asset purchase agreement. She also is prohibited from discussing or disparaging Monocacy or its founders, giving financial advice to, or accepting any listed clients, even if the client initiates contact.

Sennett faces additional liability for damages amounting to four times 1 percent of any assets that transfer after the award is issued. Sennett counterclaimed that Monocacy breached the asset purchase agreement by refusing her access to certain books and records. She also requested the panel to void the asset purchase agreement. As reported by AdvisorHub, the panel rejected her counterclaims.

Although Raymond James was not a named party in the arbitration, it controlled the payments to Sennett under the asset purchase agreement. Future payments owed to Sennett are to be released to Monocacy to offset the $2.6 million she owes.

AdvisorHub reports that this case highlights the ongoing risks for buyers in wealth management transactions, as sellers sometimes attempt to restart their practice. Courts have occasionally invalidated non-compete agreements, siding with sellers in such disputes.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

If the regulators are after you, and are trying to make a case against you, and you are going to contest their allegations against you, make sure you have the best securities industry defense lawyers, Eccleston Law Firm. My case was spun into a combination of penalties including fines, cash settlements, CE courses and suspension. They were the best I have seen in action. When all was said and done, they had done their magic, my situation was negotiated and settled with a simple "letter of caution" and a case closed without action. It is the most important legal business decision you will ever make, make it Eccleston Law.

Rick R.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 20, 2025
Supreme Alliance Fined for Failure to Supervise Variable Annuity Sales

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has fined Supreme Alliance $80,000 for failing to supervise recommendations and exchanges involving deferred variable annuities, as well as for failing to document background checks for newly hired registered representatives.

November 19, 2025
Lawsuit Accuses Inspired Healthcare Capital of Concealing Insolvency

According to news sources, a new lawsuit alleges that Inspired Healthcare Capital (IHC) and its CEO, Luke Lee, misrepresented the company’s financial health and concealed insolvency from a lender who extended a $1.5 million loan in late 2024.

 

November 18, 2025
Former FINRA Brokers with Misconduct Histories Flock to Insurance Industry, According to Recent Study

A recent academic study reveals that thousands of brokers expelled from the securities industry for misconduct nonetheless continue to operate under state insurance licenses, often selling annuities and other financial products to unsuspecting clients.