HD Vest Broker Suspended by FINRA for Altering Customer Documents

John Olinghouse, a formerly registered broker with the Sparks, Nevada branch of HD Vest Investment Services, Inc. (HD Vest), submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent in which he consented to, but did not admit to or deny, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) findings that he falsified customer documents and failed to notify his member firm of a customer complaint alleging improper financial advice. FINRA’s findings state that John Edward Olinghouse, of Sparks, Nevada, falsified numerous customer documents.  According to FINRA, Mr. Olinghouse cut and pasted or taped customers’ signatures in some instances and, in other instances, used white-out to alter information on forms previously signed by customers.  Further, FINRA found that Mr. Olinghouse privately settled a customer complaint which alleged improper financial advice without notifying his member firm of the complaint, which is required under FINRA Rule 2010.

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