FINRA Lawyer Blog

FINRA CRUSHES AN ANALYST FOR DISCLOSING PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

May 14, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

00025601-300x166
On May 8, 2020, FINRA published an interesting AWC in which they suspended a quantitative research analyst for breaching internal policies relating to the treatment of confidential and proprietary information. Although FINRA will aggressively pursue Reg S-P violations, in which nonpublic confidential information pertaining to a customer — such as a social security number or account number — is improperly disclosed, this AWC is somewhat unique because FINRA charged the individual with sending himself computer code seemingly unrelated to customers of the firm.

The matter at hand concerns Sune Gaulsh, FINRA Matter No. 2018058804301, an individual who was formerly employed by Barclays Capital. According to his LinkedIn profile, Gaulsh was “part of a collaborating team within equities and research that researched and developed systematic trading strategies (volatility, global macro/CTA, L/S equity, event driven), constructed cross asset risk premia and factor portfolios, and evaluated data sets for alpha.” Although Gaulsh voluntarily resigned from Barclays, the firm filed a Form U5 disclosing an internal investigation “to determine if the registered representative sent the firm’s proprietary business information to his personal email address.”

Underlying Conduct

CALIFORNIA ENDS ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY FOR FORM U5 DEFAMATION CLAIMS

May 2, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

00025601-300x166
On April 21, 2020, California’s Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District created a significant carve-out to the absolute immunity standard previously applicable to Form U5 defamation claims in California. The full opinion in Tilkey v. Allstate Insurance Co., Super. Ct. No. 37-2016-00015545-CU-OE-CTL (2020) is available here. This case significantly changes the landscape for Form U5 defamation claim unless California’s highest court intervenes. As a result of Allstate’s defamation, the trial court awarded Tilkey $2,663,137 in compensatory damages and $15,978,822 in punitive damages.

Background

Before jumping in to the facts of the case, some background on Form U5 defamation claims might be helpful. Broker-dealers are required to file a Form U5 whenever an employee’s registration is terminated. The Form U5 requires the firm to provide a narrative explanation of the termination if the employee was discharged or permitted to resign. When it comes to the narrative explanation, professionals in the financial services industry frequently complain that employers “play games” by providing extraneous and gratuitous remarks or, worse yet, offering an entirely false explanation for the termination. The consequences flowing from negative Form U5 disclosure information are severe. In addition to reputational harm, FINRA will start a costly investigation and potential employers will shy away from a prospective employee with negative information on CRD.

FINRA REMINDS FAs THAT NO GOOD DEEDS GO UNPUNISHED

April 27, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

00025601-300x166
This week’s FINRA settlements report AWC’s in which FINRA hit two FAs for some misguided efforts toward good customer service.

In the Matter of Sandra Gose Stevens, FINRA Matter No. 2018058123701

Stevens was formerly registered with MML Investors Services, LLC, which terminated her in April 2018 concerning an alleged “signature irregularity.” FINRA thereafter initiated an investigation and made the following findings in the AWC:

FINRA RAMPS-UP CASES FOR UNDISCLOSED OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES AND UNAPPROVED PRIVATE SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

April 5, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

00025601-300x166
Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like FINRA has ramped up its caseload for undisclosed outside business activities and unapproved private securities transactions. This week alone, FINRA resolved two such cases in FINRA Matter No. 2018058026701, Alexander Jon James and FINRA Matter No. 2019061490801, Barry Robert Bode. Before analyzing the cases, it’s worth re-visiting the scope of these rules:

FINRA Rule 3270 (Outside Business Activities)

The rule is designed to prevent FAs from engaging in outside business activities absent written approval from the member firm. Generally speaking, the rule does not apply to the registered person’s personal passive investments (e.g., buying away) and activities conducted on behalf of a member firm’s affiliate (e.g., work for an affiliated investment advisory firm or insurance arm). Examples of reportable outside business activities could include providing accounting or consulting services, working for a start-up or sitting on a board of directors, acting as a real estate broker, and serving on the board of a religious or civic organization, among other things.

FINRA BARS FA JAMES DAUGHTRY FOR FAILING TO COOPERATE WITH THE REGULATOR

March 23, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

00025601-300x166
On March 18, 2020, FINRA barred FA James Daughtry for his refusal to appear for an on-the-record interview, which is akin to a deposition. Daughtry consented to the bar from the securities industry by executing the Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) in Department of Enforcement v. James Blake Daughtry, Matter No. 2020065293201.

Background

According to BrokerCheck, Daughtry entered the securities industry in 1999. He registered with Kestra Investment Services, LLC in February 2015 and remained with Kestra until his termination in March 2020. James Daughtry worked from a branch located in Dothan, Alabama.

RESPONDING TO A SUBPOENA FROM THE CFTC

March 22, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

90-commodity-futures-trading-commission-300x200
Receiving a subpoena from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission often causes panic by the recipient given the civil and criminal penalties associated with Commodities Exchange Act violations. The recipient may have no advance notice of the subpoena and may be unaware if they are a target of the CFTC’s investigation or merely an individual or company that possesses records of interest to the government. This blog post outlines appropriate steps to take upon receipt of a CFTC subpoena.

CFTC’s Information Gathering Process

The Staff of the CFTC is empowered to initiate investigations of persons and companies suspected of having violated the Commodity Exchange Act. The Staff generally receives documents from voluntary productions and use of compulsory process (meaning, the issuance of subpoenas). Any request for a voluntary interview or the voluntary production of documents requires serious consideration and consultation with counsel. The Staff’s reach can extend internationally. The CFTC has Memoranda of Understandings with various foreign authorities, which enables the CFTC’s staff to obtain documents without resort to use of subpoena power.

FEDERAL COURT EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF “CUSTOMER” FOR PURPOSES OF COMPELLING FINRA ARBITRATION

March 20, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

00025601-300x166
In Next Financial Group, Inc. v. GMS Mine Repair and Maintenance, Inc., Case No. 3:19-cv-168 (USDC W.D. Pa.), the federal court was asked to define the term “customer” as it relates to FINRA’s Code of Arbitration Procedure. The definition of that term carries significance because “customers” can compel a member firm to participate in FINRA arbitration whereas non-customers cannot. In the case at hand, GMS Mine Repair had no account with Next Financial and received no goods or services from Next Financial itself. This case bears some significance because the court compelled arbitration even though GMS Mine Repair was nothing more than an investor in the FAs outside business activity.

Background

The case arose from a supposedly fraudulent investment scheme perpetrated by Douglas P. Simanski, a former registered representative of Next Financial Group. According to BrokerCheck, Next Financial terminated Douglas Simanski in May 2016 because “RR sold fictitious investment and converted funds for his own personal use and benefit.” Mr. Simanksi currently has 30 disclosures on his BrokerCheck report, reflecting numerous settled customer claims. On November 2, 2018, the SEC filed a complaint against Mr. Simanski alleging that Simanksi “raised over $3.9 million from approximately 27 investors by falsely representing he would invest their money in one of three ventures: (1) a ‘tax free investment’ providing a fixed return for a specific number of years; (2) one of two coal mining companies in which Simanski claimed to have an ownership interest; or (3) a rental car company.” According to BrokerCheck, the SEC ultimately barred Simanski and Simanski plead guilty to criminal charges filed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

FINRA CHARGES AN FA FOR STRUCTURING CASH DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS

March 12, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

00025601-300x166
On March 11, 2020, FINRA charged an FA with structuring cash transactions in his personal bank account so as to evade reporting requirements. This case is worth a read because it highlights FINRAs commitment to pursue AML and AML-like cases.

Case in Point

In Department of Enforcement v. David R. Oakes, Disciplinary Proceeding No. 2018057755201, FINRA charged the FA with violating Rule 2010 (FINRAs catchall rule) for allegedly structuring three $9,000 deposits (total of $27,000) of currency to his personal bank account between December 27 and December 29, 2017; (2) structuring two $6,500 (total of $13,000) withdrawals of currency from his personal bank account on August 23, 2017; and (3) structuring four withdrawals (total of $21,500) of currency from his personal bank account between August 1 and August 4, 2016. According to FINRA, each of these series of transactions was for the purpose of avoiding the filing of a Currency Transaction Report.

FA CLAIMS THAT FINRA OBTAINED HIS SETTLEMENT BY FRAUDULENT INDUCEMENT

March 5, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

00025601-300x166
This is a classic case of buyer’s remorse. In the case at hand, FA Jeffrey Mohlman settled with FINRA by executing a letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (called an AWC) and, in so doing, agreed to a bar from the securities industry. Apparently displeased with his decision, he filed an action in court seeking almost $900,000 in damages by claiming that FINRA “committed fraud by inducing Plaintiff to fail to testify at a second disciplinary interview, thus allegedly fraudulently avoiding an alleged requirement that Defendants consider mitigating factors in the Plaintiff’s disciplinary case…” Mohlman’s claims received a chilly reception by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (Mohlman v. FINRA, et al., Case No. 19-cv-154), which granted FINRA’s motion to dismiss on February 24, 2020.

Background

Mohlman entered the securities industry in 2001. In March 2015, Mohlman’s then-employer, Questar Capital Corporation, terminated his registration and filed a Form U5 claiming that Mohlman “resigned while under internal review for failure to follow firm policies and procedures regarding his participation in private securities transactions.” FINRA then launched an investigation and requested his appearance at an on-the-record interview (OTR) on September 11, 2015. On September 9, 2015, Mohlman’s lawyer informed FINRA that Mohlman received the OTR request but would be declining to appear. On September 17, 2015, Mohlman signed an AWC in which he agreed to a bar from the securities industry and waived various procedural rights.

VIRGINIA BANS MANDATORY ARBITRATION IN ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

February 5, 2020 | Herskovits, PLLC

19-new-regulation-300x199
New Rule

Virginia recently added Section F to 21 VAC5-80-200 (Dishonest or Unethical Practices), which provides: “For purposes of this section, any mandatory arbitration provision in an advisory contract shall be prohibited.”

Background

FINRA LAWYER BLOG