Arhonda T’Lene Guinn, a former registered representative with Vero Beach, Florida-based Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. (Stifel Nicolaus) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which she consented to, but did not admit to or deny, the entry of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) findings that she converted funds from a customer’s account for personal use.
According to FINRA, Arhonda Guinn transferred $12,100 from a customer’s account to a bank account belonging to her landlord. The Stifel Nicolaus customer had no knowledge of and did not consent to the transfer of funds. In order to complete the transfer, Arhonda Guinn allegedly falsified her customer’s previously signed Letter of Authorization. FINRA found that Arhonda Guinn used the customer’s funds to pay six months of rent. Consequently, Arhonda Guinn, of Vero Beach, Florida, was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity.
Stockbrokers and other financial industry professionals have been known to engage in many types of fraudulent behavior, such as conversion of funds. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a reasonable supervisory system. These rules require supervisors to monitor employees to ensure they comply with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, as well as the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If brokerage firms and their supervisors do not establish and implement these protective measures, they may be held liable to account holders for losses flowing from the misconduct. As a result, investors who have suffered losses due to a broker or registered representative’s conversion or other fraudulent and unlawful misconduct can bring forth claims to recover damages against broker-dealers like Stifel Nicolaus, which have a duty to supervise its employees in order to prevent the above-described misconduct.
Have you suffered losses in your Stifel Nicolaus investment account due to your stockbroker’s fraudulent and/or unlawful misconduct? If so, call Robert Pearce at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. for a free consultation. Mr. Pearce is accepting clients with valid claims against financial professionals for unsuitable recommendations, conversion of funds, mismanagement of accounts, and/or other unauthorized and illegal conduct.
The most important of investors’ rights is the right to be informed! This Investors’ Rights blog post is by the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.f, located in Boca Raton, Florida. For over , Attorney Pearce has tried, arbitrated, and mediated hundreds of disputes involving complex securities, commodities, and investment law issues. The lawyers at our law firm are devoted to protecting investors’ rights throughout the United States and internationally! Please post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, send Mr. Pearce an email at pearce@rwpearce.com, and/or visit our website at www.secatty.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.
Robert Wayne Pearce
Robert Wayne Pearce of The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has been a trial attorney for more than 40 years and has helped recover over $125 million dollars for his clients. During that time, he developed a well-respected and highly accomplished legal career representing investors and brokers in disputes with one another and the government and industry regulators. To speak with Attorney Pearce, call (800) 732-2889 or Contact Us online for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with Attorney Pearce about your case.
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