#investorsrights - Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce

Nov 10, 2020

Former Dawson James and Spartan Securities Stockbroker Mack Leon Miller Suspended for Unsuitable Recommendations and Excessive Trading

Mack Leon Miller of Brooklyn, New York submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he was fined and suspended for allegedly making unsuitable recommendations and participating in excessive trading in a customer’s account in violation of FINRA Rules 2111 and 2010. In 2017, Mr. Miller was registered as a General Securities Representative (GSR) with both Dawson James Securities and then Spartan Capital Securities. According to the FINRA findings, during his time of employment with Dawson James and Spartan, Mr. Miller allegedly made unsuitable recommendations and engaged in excessive trading in a customer’s account. The findings stated that the customer lacked knowledge as an investor and followed all of Mr. Miller’s recommendations. Due to mounting commissions and fees, it became impossible for the customer to benefit from the exchange. Mr. Miller’s alleged excessive trading, including the commissions and margin interest, caused the customer to lose $69,633. FINRA Rule 2111(a) provides in pertinent part that “(a) member or an associated person must have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommenced transaction or investment strategy involving a security or securities is suitable for the customer, based on the information obtained through the reasonable diligence of the member or associated person to ascertain the customer’s investment profile.” As explained in Supplementary Material 2111.05(c): A violation of FINRA 2111 also constitutes a violation of FINRA Rule 2010, which required associated persons to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade in the conduct of their business. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Mack Leon Miller was assessed a deferred fine of $2,500 plus interest in partial restitution to the customer and suspended from association with any FINRA member in all capacities for five months. The suspension was in effect from May 4, 2020, through October 3, 2020. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from excessive trading, and/or unsuitable recommendations by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like Dawson James and Spartan, which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct. Have you suffered losses in your Dawson James and Spartan account due to excessive trading and/or unsuitable recommendations by your broker? Was Mack Leon Miller your stockbroker? 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 Dawson James and Spartan stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. 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 40 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 visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.

Nov 10, 2020

Horace Mann Stockbroker Melissa Ann Niederhauser Barred for Forged Documents

Melissa Ann Niederhauser of Smithfield, Utah submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which she was barred for allegedly forging account statements and other documents in violation of FINRA Rules 2150(a) and 2010. In August 2014, Melissa Ann Niederhauser joined Horace Mann Investors, Inc. in which she was licensed to sell insurance and perform as an office manager and administrative assistant for the firm. According to FINRA findings, between 2016 and 2017 Ms. Niederhauser withdrew $73,618.41 from two family members’ accounts who were also customers of her firm. The FINRA findings stated, Ms. Niederhauser made 13 withdrawals from one customer’s variable annuity that totaled out to $47,618.37 and 7 separate withdrawals from another customer’s variable annuity totaling $30,368.04. Ms. Niederhauser allegedly forged those customers’ signatures on the Horace Mann Annuity Surrender Withdrawal Request forms and then had the checks mailed to an address in which she could acquire them without the two customer’s knowledge. In addition, FINRA alleged that Melissa Ann Niederhauser would allegedly deposit the checks into a joint bank account with the customers and withdraw the funds for her personal use without their acknowledgment or authorization. FINRA Rule 2150(a) provides that “[n] member of person associated with a member shall make improper use of a customer’s securities of funds.” FINRA Rule 2010 requires that associated persons, in the conduct of their business, “shall observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.” Conversion is an intentional and unauthorized taking of and/or exercise of ownership cover property by one who neither owns the property nor is entitled to possess it. Conversion of customer funds is a violation of FINRA Rules 2150(a) and 2010. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Melissa Ann Niederhauser was barred from association with any FINRA member firm. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from forged account statements and/or other misconduct by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like Horace Mann Investors which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct. Have you suffered losses in your Horace Mann account due to forged account statements and documents by your broker? Was Melissa Ann Niederhauser your stockbroker? 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 Horace Mann stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. 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 40 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 visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.

Nov 10, 2020

Former Morgan Stanley Stockbroker Peggy Jean Doherty-Punderson Barred for Misconduct

Peggy Jean Doherty-Punderson of Hill, New Hampshire submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which she was barred for refusing to provide information and documents in violation to FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. In May 2013, Peggy Jean Doherty-Punderson joined Morgan Stanley as a General Securities Representative until being discharged in September of 2019. According to FINRA, a form U5 was filed by Morgan Stanley in which Peggy Jean Doherty-Punderson was discharged due to a pending review which stated that she allegedly acknowledged and refused to provide documents requested by FINRA. The FINRA findings stated that the request was sent concerning a mortgage deed executed by Punderson and a customer. In addition, Ms. Punderson allegedly violated FINRA Rule 8210 and 2010, is no longer registered with any FINRA member firm, and remains under FINRA’s jurisdiction. FINRA Rule 8210(a)(1) states, in relevant part, that FINRA may “require a member, person associated with a member, or any other person subject to FINRA’s jurisdiction to provide information orally, in writing, or electronically … with respect to any matter involved in [a FINRA] investigation.” FINRA Rule 8210(c) further states that “[n]o member or person shall fail to provide information pursuant to this Rule.” A violation of FINRA Rule 8210 is also a violation of FINRA Rule 2010, which requires member firms and their associated persons to “observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.” Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Peggy Jean Doherty-Punderson consented to the sanctions and has been barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from misconduct and/or other misconduct by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like Morgan Stanley, which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct. Have you suffered losses in your Morgan Stanley account due to misconduct by your broker? Was Peggy Jean Doherty-Punderson your stockbroker? 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 Morgan Stanley stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. 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 40 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 visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.

Nov 10, 2020

Former U.S. Brokerage, Inc. Stockbroker Timothy Brent Hetrick Barred for Misconduct

Timothy Brent Hetrick of Wilder, Idaho submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he was barred for allegedly refusing to appear for on-the-record testimony requested by FINRA in violation of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. From 2002 until his voluntary termination in 2019, Timothy Brent Hetrick was registered as General Securities Representative with U.S. Brokerage, Inc. In March of 2020, FINRA started an investigation concerning potential customer signature forgeries over penny stock disclosure and other forms. According to FINRA, Timothy Brent Hetrick was sent a request to appear for on-the-record testimony. The findings stated that Timothy Brent Hetrick acknowledged this request by email but allegedly refused to appear at any time. Although Mr. Hetrick is not registered with any FINRA member firm, in compliance to Article V, Section 4, FINRA retains jurisdiction over him. FINRA Rule 8210(a)(1) states, in relevant part, that FINRA has the right to “require a member, person associated with a member, or any other person subject to FINRA’s jurisdiction to provide information orally, in writing, or electronically…with respect to any matter involved in the investigation…” FINRA Rule 8210(c) states that “[n]o member or person shall fail to provide information or testimony or to permit inspection and copying of books, records, or accounts pursuit to this Rule.” A failure to comply with FINRA Rule 8210 is a violation of FINRA Rule 2010, which requires associated persons to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Without admitting or denying the findings, Mr. Hetrick consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings and has been barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from misconduct, by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like, U.S. Brokerage, Inc. which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct. Have you suffered losses in your U.S. Brokerage, Inc. account due to misconduct by your broker? Was Timothy Brent Hetrick your stockbroker? 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 U.S. Brokerage, Inc. stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. 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 40 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 visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.

Nov 10, 2020

Former NYLIFE Securities Stockbroker Alan Harold New Barred for Misconduct

Alan Harold New of Fort Wayne, Indiana submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he was barred for allegedly failing to provide documents to FINRA in violation of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. From 2004 through 2016, Alan Harold New was registered as an Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC. According to FINRA, a request was sent to Mr. New regarding his participation in the sale of promissory notes related to the Woodbridge group of companies LLC. The findings stated that Mr. New allegedly raised approximately $15 million from the sale of the promissory notes and earned at least $1.5 million in commission. In addition, FINRA revealed nine days after the request was sent, Mr. New’s attorney responded stating that he allegedly received, acknowledged, and refused to provide the information and documents requested. Although Mr. New is not currently registered with any firm, he remains subject to FINRA’s jurisdiction. FINRA Rule 8210(a)(1) states, in relevant part, that FINRA has the right to “require a member, person associated with a member, or any other person subject to FINRA’s jurisdiction to provide information orally, in writing, or electronically . . . with respect to any matter involved in the investigation . . .” FINRA Rule 8210(c) states that “{n]o member or person shall fail to provide information or testimony or to permit inspection and copying of books, records, or accounts pursuant to this Rule.” A failure to comply with FINRA Rule 8210 is a violation of FINRA Rule 2010, which requires associated persons to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Without admitting or denying the findings, Mr. New consented to the sanction and has been barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from misconduct, by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like NYLIFE Securities LLC which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct. Have you suffered losses in your NYLIFE account due to misconduct by your broker? Was Alan Harold New your stockbroker? 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 NYLIFE stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. 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 40 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 visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.

Nov 10, 2020

Former Voya Stockbroker Alexander Jon James Suspended for Unauthorized Trading and Other Misconduct

Alexander Jon James of Royal Palm Beach, Florida submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he was fined and suspended for allegedly participating in outside business activities and unauthorized transactions in violation of NASD Rule 3040 and FINRA Rules 3270 and 2010. In January of 2012, Alexander Jon James joined Voya as an investment company products/variable contracts representative. According to FINRA, in April of 2020 it found that Alexander Jon James and two accomplices established a company in which they charged members monthly subscription fees for access to a website. Mr. James took part in business development and marketing, as well as running day to day operations for the company. The FINRA findings also stated that Mr. James participated in private security transactions with two firm customers who invested a total of $667,000 in the company’s shares and profited $16,000 for his contributed work. In addition to the FINRA findings, he allegedly made false statements regarding his participation in outside business activities and private security transactions on three of his members firms annual compliance questionnaires. NASD Rule 3040, states that “[n]o person associated with a member shall participate in any manner in a private securities transaction except in accordance with the requirements of this Rule.” The Rule further requires that an associated person “shall provide written notice to the member with which he is associated describing in detail the proposed transaction and the person’s proposed role therein” FINRA Rule 3270 provides, in relevant part, that “[n]o registered person may be an employee, independent contractor, sole proprietor, officer, director or partner of another person, or be compensated, or have the reasonable expectation of compensation, from any other person as a result of any business activity outside the scope of the relationship with his or her member firm, unless he or she has provided prior written notice to the member, in such form as specified by the member.” A violation of Rule 3270 is also a violation of FINRA Rule 2010. FINRA Rule 2010 requires associated persons, in the conduct of their business, to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Alexander Jon James consented to the sanctions and to entry of findings that he took part in outside business activity without an initial written notice to his member firm. Alexander Jon James was assessed a deferred fine of $10,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in all capacities for one year. The suspension is in effect from April 6, 2020, through April 5, 2021. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from unauthorized trading and/or other misconduct by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like Voya, which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct.Have you suffered losses in your Voya account due to unauthorized trading and/or other misconduct by your broker? Was Alexander Jon James your stockbroker? 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 Voya stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. 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 40 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 visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter

Nov 10, 2020

Former UBS Financial Services Stockbroker Jeremy Joseph Cook Barred for Misconduct

Jeremy Joseph Cook of Lafayette, Louisiana submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he was barred for failing to provide documents to FINRA in violation of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. From 2014 through 2019, Jeremy Joseph Cook was registered with UBS Financial Services as a General Securities Representative. According to the FINRA findings, a form U5 was received from UBS disclosing Jeremy Joseph Cook’s termination for allegedly administering commissions to his personal ID number rather than the team trading ID number that would split commissions with the co-brokers. In 2019, FINRA began an investigation concerning whether Jeremy Joseph Cook breached FINRA’s rules by performing the stated misconduct. Following the investigation on April 2, 2020, FINRA sent a request for on-the-record testimony in pursuant to Rule 8210. In addition, Jeremy Joseph Cook received a call and follow-up-email from FINRA at which point he allegedly acknowledged and refused to appear at any given time. FINRA Rule 8210 authorizes FINRA, in the course of its investigations, to require persons over whom FINRA possesses jurisdiction to “provide information orally, in writing, or electronically and to testify at a location specified by FINRA staff with respect to any matter involved in the investigation” FINRA Rule 2010 provides that “[a] member, in the conduct of its business, shall observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.” Without admitting or denying the FINRA findings, Mr. Cook consented to the sanction and was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from misconduct by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like UBS Financial Services, which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct. Have you suffered losses in your UBS Financial Services account due to misconduct by your broker? Was Jeremy Joseph Cook your stockbroker? 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 UBS Financial Services stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. 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 40 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 visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.

Nov 10, 2020

Former TD Ameritrade Stockbroker Kwasi Mensah Aggor Barred for Misconduct

Kwasi Mensah Aggor of Coventry, Rhode Island submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he was barred for failing to appear for on-the-record and provide testimony in violation of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. In 2008, Kwasi Mensah Aggor joined TD Ameritrade Inc. as a General Securities Representative. According to FINRA’s findings, a form U5 termination notice was received from TD Ameritrade, Inc. disclosing his termination due to Kwasi Mensah Aggor allegedly engaging in private security transactions with a customer through an outside business that was not disclosed to his firm. In February of 2020, FINRA enforcement sent Kwasi Mensah Aggor an appeal for him to appear and issue an on-the-record testimony in relation to the violation of FINRA Rule 8210. The FINRA findings stated Mr. Aggor acknowledged that he obtained the request but ultimately refused to appear and provide on-the-record testimony. In addition, Kwasi Mensah Aggor is no longer associated with any FINRA member firm, but remains under FINRA’s jurisdiction. FINRA Rule 8210(a)(1) states, in relevant part, that FINRA may “require a person subject to FINRA’s jurisdiction to testify at a location specified by FINRA staff, under oath or affirmation with respect to any matter” concerting a FINRA investigation. FINRA Rule 8210(c) provides that “[n]o person shall fail to provide testimony pursuant to this Rule.” A failure to comply with a request for testimony pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210 is also a violation of FINRA Rule 2010, which requires associated persons to “observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.” Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Kwasi Mensah Aggor was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from misconduct by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like TD Ameritrade which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct. Have you suffered losses in your TD Ameritrade account due to misconduct by your broker? Was Kwasi Mensah Aggor your stockbroker? 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 TD Ameritrade stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. 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 40 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 visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.