| Read Time: 2 minutes | Broker Misconduct | ETFs | Stockbrokers In The News |

Daniel Grieco of Middletown, New Jersey submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC), without admitting or denying the findings, to the Department of Enforcement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for allegedly recommending trades to customers without having reasonable grounds to believe the investments were suitable. Grieco entered the securities industry in 1983 and has been registered as a General Securities Representative at FINRA member First Allied Securities, Inc. since August 2010.

FINRA found that between July 21, 2008 and July 19, 2013, Grieco recommended and caused to be executed transactions of various leveraged and inverse-leveraged ETFs in 15 customer accounts. The ETFs were designed to achieve their designed to achieve their objectives over the course of one day. However, the ETF were held for much longer periods, in some cases for more than five years. FINRA alleged that Grieco, in extending the holding period of the ETFs, failed to appreciate the nature of the ETFs at the time of his recommendations, to wit, that they were not designed to achieve their objectives for extended holding periods. Therefore, FINRE concluded that Grieco did not have reasonable grounds to believe his recommendations were suitable and thereby violated NASD Rules 2310 and 2010.

For his alleged violations, Grieco was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for a period of 15 business-days.

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 First Allied Securities 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 firm, such as First Allied Securities own policies and procedures. If broker dealers and/or their supervisors do not establish and implement 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 First Allied Securities, which should consistently oversee its employees in order to prevent stockbroker misconduct.

Have you suffered losses in your First Allied Securities 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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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