Waddell & Reed Broker Barred For Forgery and Conversion

Gregory Russel Bauer, of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, was barred by the Department of Enforcement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for allegedly forging his customers’ signatures, intercepting checks in the mail, and converting more than $400,000 for his personal use. FINRA’s findings state that while associated with Waddell & Reed, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mr. Bauer, allegedly forged the signatures of his customers, who were Mr. Bauer’s parents, on withdrawal request forms he submitted.  These forged documents enabled securities to be sold from his parents’ accounts and for checks to be issued to his parents, which Mr. Bauer allegedly intercepted and deposited into his personal bank account.  FINRA found that Mr. Bauer then allegedly used the ill-gotten funds, over $400,000, for his personal expenses. As a result of the aforementioned fraudulent misconduct, Gregory Bauer was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. 

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