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

Keith Testaverde, a registered representative with Network 1 Financial Securities, Inc. has been fined $25,000 and suspended from association with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity for six months for allegedly failing to disclose the existence of outside securities accounts which he owned or controlled at another firm.

Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Keith Testaverde consented to the findings that he neglected to disclose to his member firm, Network 1 Financial Securities (Network 1 Financial), that he maintained control over and executed trades in a securities accounts which were held at another member firm.  According to FINRA, Mr. Testaverde made approximately 121 trades in one of the accounts, many of which were on Network 1 Financial’s “watch list,” meaning that they required preapproval.  FINRA found that 12 of the trades made by Mr. Testaverde were prohibited outright.  Further, Mr. Testaverde falsely represented on his firm’s annual compliance questionnaire that he did not have any undisclosed outside securities accounts.  Due to the foregoing misconduct, FINRA assessed a fine of $25,000 and suspended Mr. Testaverde for six months.  The suspension is in effect from January 17, 2017 through July 16, 2017.

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 misconduct can bring forth claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like Network 1 Financial Securities, which should consistently oversee its stockbrokers in order to prevent the above-described prohibited conduct.

Have you suffered losses in your Network 1 Financial Securities account due to stockbroker 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 Network 1 Financial Securities stockbrokers for unsuitable recommendations, misrepresentations, and/or other stockbroker misconduct.

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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