Tagged with "James Eccleston"

U.S. Supreme Court Limits SEC Disgorgement

Posted on June 24th, 2020 at 3:58 PM

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the SEC’s ability to obtain disgorgement in enforcement cases.  However, the decision also put limits on how much disgorgement can be obtained. The Supreme Court held that the SEC can obtain disgorgement of ill-gotten gains in federal court, but the disgorgement cannot exceed the defendant’s net profit from the scheme. In the Opinion, the Supreme Court found that “legitimate expenses” could be deducted from net profit when calculating disgorgement.

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FINRA Suspends Broker 11 Months for Excessive Trading

Posted on June 23rd, 2020 at 3:56 PM
FINRA Suspends Broker 11 Months for Excessive Trading

Former First Standard Financial broker, Frank Venturelli, agreed to pay restitution of $30,000 and to serve an 11-month suspension from association with any FINRA member firm in all capacities.  According to FINRA Enforcement, Venturelli engaged in excessive trading in three customer accounts between July 2016 and November 2018.

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SEC Files Suit Against Sean and Shane Hvizdzak

Posted on June 22nd, 2020 at 2:43 PM
SEC Files Suit Against Sean and Shane Hvizdzak

Brothers Sean and Shane Hvizdzak have been charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for allegedly misappropriating investor money from High Street Capital Fund USA LP, a cryptocurrency investment fund. The SEC also alleges that the Hvizdzaks misrepresented the fund’s performance to investors. The U.S. District Court granted the SEC’s request to freeze the Hvizdzaks’ assets and for a temporary restraining

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U.S. Supreme Court Rules Title VII Covers Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Posted on June 19th, 2020 at 10:04 AM
U.S. Supreme Court Rules Title VII Covers Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

In a landmark ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

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Investors Pull Money from Hedge Funds

Posted on June 18th, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Investors Pull Money from Hedge Funds

The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on the hedge fund industry. Barclays Capital Solutions is reporting that between $50 billion and $100 billion may be pulled out of hedge funds by investors in 2020. This year could see the largest withdrawal of investor funds from hedge funds since 2008 when investors withdrew $154 billion. 

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CFP Board Self-Reporting Requirements Greatly Expanded

Posted on June 17th, 2020 at 3:51 PM
CFP Board Self-Reporting Requirements Greatly Expanded

This is the first in a 3-part series addressing the CFP Board’s new self-reporting requirements that went into effect on October 1, 2019. Among the changes in the new rule is an expansion of the self-reporting requirements for CFP professionals. Like the old rule, the new rule requires a CFP professional to self-report to the CFP board within 30 calendar days.

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FINRA Files Complaint Against Former LPL Advisor

Posted on June 16th, 2020 at 3:53 PM
FINRA Files Complaint Against Former LPL Advisor

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) filed a Complaint against Adam James Makkai alleging that he shared commissions with an unregistered former coworker.  FINRA Enforcement alleged that Makkai, a former LPL Financial advisor, shared commissions with a former LPL advisor who had been terminated.

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Two States to Require Advisors to Complete Form CRS

Posted on June 15th, 2020 at 3:49 PM

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) investment advice reform rules, which include Regulation Best Interest (“Reg. B-I”), are set to take effect at the end of June. The new rules will require SEC-registered advisers to complete a client relationship summary, or Form CRS.  As part of the client relationship summary, advisers will be required to disclose their services, fees, costs, disciplinary history , conflicts of interest and the standard of conduct by which they are governed.

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UBS Sues Former Advisor

Posted on June 11th, 2020 at 4:22 PM

UBS Wealth Management USA has filed a lawsuit against former advisor, Alexandra VanMeurs.  After 13 years at UBS, VanMeurs left the firm in May to join Morgan Stanley. UBS is seeking to enjoin VanMeurs from calling clients she serviced at UBS. Although such lawsuits are not uncommon in the industry, the case has an interesting twist.

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MetLife Agrees to Pay $84 Million to Settle Class Action

Posted on June 11th, 2020 at 2:04 PM
MetLife Agrees to Pay $84 Million to Settle Class Action

MetLife has agreed to pay $84 million to settle class action claims that it underreported life insurance death benefit liabilities and misled investors. The settlement concludes eight years of litigation, which included multiple formal mediation sessions. The original complaint was filed in 2012, and the class was certified in 2017. The class of plaintiffs includes investors who acquired MetLife common stock during certain offerings in 2010 and 2011.

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TESTIMONIALS

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Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 19, 2024
GPB Capital Investors See Progress as Court Confirms Receivership

In a significant development for investors in GPB Capital Holdings, the private equity firm will move into receivership following a prolonged legal battle.

December 18, 2024
SEC Fines Cantor Fitzgerald $6.75 Million for Misleading SPAC Investors

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. with causing two special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) under its control to make misleading statements to investors before their initial public offerings (IPOs). 

December 17, 2024
Former Western Asset Management Co-CIO Charged with Fraud for Cherry-picking Trades

The SEC recently charged Ken Leech, former Co-CIO of Western Asset Management, with fraud.