Michael Willard Korson, a former registered representative with PFS Investments, Inc. (PFS Investments) and HBW Securities, LLC (HBW Securities) has been barred from association with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity for allegedly failing to report his outside business activities and other industry violations.
Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Michael Korson consented to the sanctions and to the findings that he neglected to timely and accurately notify his member firm of his outside business activities. Mr. Korson also falsely stated when his involvement with the outside business first began. According to FINRA, Mr. Korson participated in private securities transactions, involving his outside business, with sales of convertible debentures to firm customers. He also participated in the sale of preferred stock to a non-customer without providing the necessary prior written notice to his firm.
FINRA found further that Mr. Korson misused his outside business’ investor funds by charging personal expenses to the corporate credit card of the outside business. Finally, Mr. Korson’s wife allegedly opened a brokerage account in the name of the outside business and, although Mr. Korson managed the trading activity in this account, he failed to disclose the opening of it to PFS Investments. Due to the above-described misconduct, Michael Korson was permanently barred by FINRA.
Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many types of practices in violation of industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect customers from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require broker-dealers to establish and implement a reasonable supervisory system. The implementation of the rules require supervisors to monitor employees to ensure they comply with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and their supervisors do not establish and implement these protective measures, they may be a liable to investors for damages flowing from the misconduct. As a result, investors who have suffered losses because of their stockbroker’s unlawful activity can bring forth claims to recover damages against broker-dealers like PFS Investments and HBW Securities, both of which should consistently oversee its stockbrokers in order to prevent the above-described prohibited conduct.
Have you suffered losses in your investment account due to your stockbroker’s 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 stockbrokers for unsuitable recommendations, misrepresentations, 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., located in Boca Raton, Florida. For over 33 years, 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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