William Hardy of Tallahassee, Florida submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to The Department of Enforcement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for allegedly misusing customer insurance premium funds.
Hardy became registered in December 1985 and in 2002 became registered with NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife). Hardy was terminated from NYLife on March 12, 2014. FINRA found that from May 5, 2013 through July 17, 2013, while still associated with NYLife, Hardy misused customer insurance premium funds causing the clients policies to lapse.
During this time, Hardy received insurance premium payments for a fixed life insurance policy of a NYLife customer. FINRA alleged that instead of using the client’s funds to pay the premium, Hardy applied some of the funds to other insurance policies held by the client’s daughter and son-in-law. FINRA also found that Hardy allegedly deposited some of the customer’s funds into his personal business checking account.
This conduct is violation of FINRA Rule 2010 which states that a member shall observe high standards of commercial honor and just as equitable principals of trade. Without admitting or denying the FINRA findings, Hardy agreed to the sanctions and was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity.
Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many types of practices which violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect customers from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require broker-dealers like Edward Jones to not only establish and implement a reasonable supervisory system but enforce their rules, policies and procedures. 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 firms, such as Edward Jones own policies and procedures. If broker dealers and/or their supervisors do not establish, implement and enforce these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the misconduct. As a result, investors who have suffered losses because of their stockbroker’s unlawful or prohibited conduct can file a claim to recover damages against broker dealers like Edward Jones, which should consistently oversee its employees in order to prevent stockbroker misconduct.
Have you suffered losses in your Edward Jones 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 prohibited 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 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 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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