FINRA Suspends Ex-LPL Advisor Who Allegedly Forged Client Signatures
From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has elected to fine and suspend a former LPL advisor, Joffre Salazar, who allegedly forfeited client signatures for fixed annuities.
Salazar recommended a five-year fixed annuity that a client agreed to purchase in 2017, but the annuity issuer declined the application in 2018 and requested new documentation from Salazar. Rather than passing the new documents onto the client, Salazar forged the client’s signature on at least six occasions to complete the purchase of a seven-year fixed annuity. According to FINRA, the client had not authorized the purchase of the annuity at issue and Salazar proceeded to submit the forged application, which was subsequently approved. A separate client agreed to purchase a five-year fixed annuity with an interest rate of 3.15% in 2018. However, Salazar forged the client’s signature to submit the application as the fixed annuity’s actual interest rate was 2.85%.
Salazar agreed to a $5,000 fine and one-year suspension without admitting or denying any of FINRA’s allegations.
Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.
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