Eccleston Law Blog

Two Sigma Settles SEC Charges for Investment Model Failures and Whistleblower Rule Violations

January 30th, 2025 at 4:18 PM
According to SEC.gov, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announced that Two Sigma Investments LP and Two Sigma Advisers LP (collectively, Two Sigma) agreed to settle charges of breaching fiduciary duties, compliance failures, and violations of the SEC’s whistleblower protection rule.
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Robinhood to Pay $45 Million for Multiple Securities Law Violations

January 29th, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Robinhood Securities LLC and Robinhood Financial LLC have agreed to pay $45 million to resolve allegations of widespread securities law violations. According to InvestmentNews, the settlement follows an SEC investigation that uncovered ten distinct regulatory failures spanning several years.
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Former Financial Advisor Sentenced to Prison for $2.5 Million Investment Fraud Scheme

January 28th, 2025 at 9:00 AM
According to InvestmentNews, a former financial advisor from Wisconsin, David Braeger, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for an investment fraud scheme that caused over $2.5 million in losses.
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Gemini Settles $5 Million Case With CFTC Over Misleading Statements

January 27th, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Crypto exchange Gemini has agreed to pay $5 million to settle allegations by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) that it made misleading statements about bitcoin futures contracts in 2017.
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Fidelity to Shift Independent Advisor Cash to Lower-Yielding FCash Amount in 2025

January 24th, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Fidelity Investments plans to redirect cash balances in non-retirement brokerage accounts managed by independent financial advisors to its in-house sweep account, FCash, starting in 2025.
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Barred Advisor Continues Pattern of Settlements at Western International Securities

January 23rd, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Chris Kennedy, a barred advisor formerly associated with Western International Securities, has agreed to a $2.1 million settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over allegations of high-volume trading, or churning, in client accounts.
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FINRA to Revise Outside Business Activities Rules

January 22nd, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is seeking to overhaul its rules on outside business activities (OBA) and private securities transactions.
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FINRA Orders $8.2 Million in Customer Restitution Over Mutual Fund Fee Errors

January 21st, 2025 at 3:17 PM
FINRA has required Edward Jones, Osaic Wealth, and Cambridge Investment Research to reimburse customers a combined total of more than $8.2 million for improperly charged mutual fund sales fees.
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Wells Fargo and LPL Financial Settle SEC Charges Over Blue Sheet Reporting Errors

January 20th, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced settlements with Wells Fargo Clearing Services and LPL Financial, each agreeing to pay a $900,000 penalty for failing to provide complete and accurate securities trading information, also known as electronic blue sheet data. 
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FINRA Suspends and Fines Advisor for Misleading L Bond Sales

January 17th, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended and fined Alan Mason for violating Regulation Best Interest by recommending high-risk L bonds to a retail customer.
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I learned two important things working with Eccleston Law. First, I made a friend and ally with Jim and Steph for life. Secondly, and this is a crucial life lesson - if you need counsel, then seek out the very best. Jim was referred to me by a most trusted source. I've never had to hire an attorney for anything. Now, I know the value of hiring an important partner. Meticulous, thorough and detailed in preparation is the best way to describe Jim. Brilliant too, I might add. Bottom line, I would highly highly recommend Jim and Stephany for your legal needs. One of the best life decisions I've ever made.

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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.