New Jersey Stockbroker Misconduct Attorney - Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce

Aug 12, 2020

International Assets Advisory Stockbroker Robert James D’Andria Suspended for Unsuitable Recommendations

Robert James D’Andria of Manasquan, New Jersey submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he was fined and suspended for unsuitable recommendations in violation of FINRA Rule 2111 and 2010. In July 2010, Robert James D’Andria joined International Assets Advisory (“IAA”) as a General Securities Representative. According to the FINRA findings, Mr. D’Andria recommended 21 non-traditional exchange traded products (NT-ETPs) to five IAA customers without having a sufficient understanding of the risks and features associated with these products. The FINRA findings stated that the average holding period was 327 days and the customers held them for periods ranging from 30 to 758 days. Due to the extended holding periods, the customers incurred approximately $93,000 in losses. In addition to the findings, IAA agreed to supervision charges and agreed to a fine and order of restitution to be paid to the affected customers in relation to the unsuitable recommendations.

Jul 29, 2020

CV Brokerage Inc. Censured and Fined for Misconduct

CV Brokerage in Williamstown, New Jersey submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which the firm was censured and fined $100,000 for allegedly failing to establish and maintain a supervisory system, and written supervisory procedures (WSPs) reasonably designed to achieve compliance with applicable FINRA rules regarding the participation of Firm-registered representatives in private securities transactions in violation of FINRA Rules 3110(a) and (b), 3280, and 2010. According to the FINRA findings, a General Securities Principal with CV Brokerage, engaged in outside business activities and unapproved private securities transactions (PSTs). The FINRA findings stated that the representative formed an investment fund away from CV Brokerage and received substantial compensation from the transactions between multiple financial institutions and exchanges. During the same period, the WSPs permitted the representative to supervise her own compliance with the PSTs. CV Brokerage could have hired other principals to review or disapprove her participation in the PSTs but failed to do so. In addition, CV Brokerage allegedly failed to supervise the representatives participation in the PSTs, failed to supervise the securities trading conducted by the investment fund as if it was executed by the firm and failed to record the securities transactions for the fund on the Firm’s books and records.

Jun 24, 2020

Former First Standard Financial Stockbroker Michael Leahy Barred for Misconduct

Michael Leahy of Red Bank, New Jersey submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he has been barred for allegedly failing to reasonably supervise another representative in violation of FINRA Rules 3110 and 2010. In July 2017, Michael Leahy joined First Standard Financial General Securities Representative and General Securities Principal. According to FINRA, Michael Leahy failed to supervise a former registered representative with First Standard, who engaged in a pattern of unauthorized trading, used margin without authorization, recommended unsuitable transactions, and charged excessive commissions in dozens of customer accounts. The FINRA findings stated the Leahy was allegedly aware of the multiple red flags and failed to investigate or take action against the representatives misconduct. Due to Leahy’s failure to supervise, the representative’s misconduct continued until the New Jersey Bureau of Securities revoked the representative’s registration.