Maryland

Bethesda, Maryland Stock Broker Barred by FINRA

Published on: July 12, 2024 | by Greco & Greco, P.C.

FINRA recently issued a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC) against financial advisor Andrew J. Egber which results in his bar from the industry by FINRA. According to FINRA’s Brokercheck report, Mr. Egber had previous offices in Rockville and Bethesda, Maryland and was previously registered to sell securities with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, Raymond James Financial, and Steward Partners Investment Solutions. Brokercheck further reports two customer complaints regarding “outside investments.”

The AWC which can be found here states that “On March 3, 2024, Wells Fargo filed an amendment to Egber’s Form US, which stated that the firm had initiated an internal review and was “reviewing allegations of possible theft of client funds” by Egber.” It further states that Mr. Egber refused to provide information and documents to FINRA and further refused to appear for on the record testimony in violation of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.

Greco & Greco have been representing harmed customers in the Maryland/Virginia/DC area for over 25 years. Many of our cases have involved financial advisors selling investments that were not approved for sale by their FINRA firm, or using alleged investments as means to convert and steal customer funds. In these situations the firms that have a duty to supervise their advisor can and should be found liable for the wrongdoing of their advisor. If you were harmed by the actions of your stockbroker, please contact Scott Greco for a free attorney consultation regarding your potential case.

Maryland/DC Area Transamerica Agent Barred by FINRA

Published on: October 17, 2023 | by Greco & Greco, P.C.

Lickhai Quach, a Silver Spring, Maryland broker/agent of Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc., was recently barred by FINRA from association with any FINRA firm. The FINRA Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent states that Mr. Quach refused to produce documents or information to investigators as required by FINRA Rule 8210.

Mr. Quach was allegedly under investigation by FINRA as a result of being permitted to resign “while under review by the firm for violating firm’s policy related to borrowing funds from a client.” Mr. Quach’s FINRA Brokercheck report states that he was registered with Transamerica since 2012. The report further states that he had one recent customer complaint relating to borrowed funds that settled, and that he was permitted to resign in March, 2023.

Registered financial advisors are generally prohibited from borrowing money from customers under FINRA Rule 3240 except in limited circumstances such as from a family member or other personal relationship. The loan must also be disclosed and approved by the advisor’s firm.

Rockville, Maryland Morgan Stanley Broker Barred by FINRA

Published on: October 13, 2023 | by Greco & Greco, P.C.

Miche Jean was a registered securities salesperson with Morgan Stanley in Rockville, Maryland since 2015. However, on November 12, 2020, Morgan Stanley submitted a Termination Notice (Form U5), indicating that they terminated Jean’s employment due to concerns related to his trading strategy for certain clients, potential unauthorized discretion in specific accounts, and incomplete and delayed communication with clients regarding transactions. Furthermore, on March 30, 2021, an amended Form U5 disclosed a customer complaint alleging unauthorized trading with exchange-traded funds (ETFs) during Jean’s tenure at Morgan Stanley.

Then, on November 15, 2022, the Maryland Securities Commissioner issued a Consent Order in which Jean admitted to fraudulent actions during his time with Morgan Stanley in Maryland. Specifically, he was found to have initiated four ACH transfers, totaling $10,182, from a Morgan Stanley customer’s brokerage account to cover his personal credit card expenses.

FINRA, a national self-regulatory securities regulator, recently barred Mr. Miche from the industry pursuant to a decision by its Office of Hearing Officers.