Securities Industry Commentator by Bill Singer Esq

March 30, 2020



FINRA Imposes Fine and Principal Bar For Failure to Reasonably Supervise. In the Matter of Arive Capital Markets, LLC, Respondent (FINRA AWC)

The Louis Ottimo FINRA to SEC to FINRA Regulatory Saga

The Robert G. Nash FINRA to SEC to FINRA Regulatory Saga

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/28/the-traditional-6040-retirement-portfolio-of-stocks-and-bonds-loses-20percent-for-only-the-fourth-time.html
A sobering fact: If your retirement portfolio was allocated in accordance with generally-accepted financial-planning strategy of 60% equity and 40% fixed income, you have likely incurred losses during the Coronavirus pandemic. As set forth in part by CNBC reporter Michael Santoli:

Upon request, Ritholtz Wealth Management research director Michael Batnick went back in history to track each time the 60/40 portfolio had taken at least a 20% hit. Such a decline struck initially at only the following points since 1945 (using month-end data for 60% S&P 500 and 40% five-year Treasuries): August 1974, September 2002 and January 2009.
. . .

Are there reasons to be skeptical that holding fast to the 60/40 stance this time will not fare as well as in past decades? Some investment professionals have discussed for some time that the essential premise of the 60/40 mix has been challenged due to extremely low bond yields that leave far less room for bonds to appreciate in an economic slowdown or crisis, mitigating their value as ballast to stocks.

Bill Singer's Comment:

What was long anticipated in implementing the 60/40 model was the expectation (hope) whereby falling valuations for equities would be cushioned by stable yields and prices of bonds. In the recent era of qualitative easing and zero interest rates, the 60/40 paradigm may have shifted, and it may have done so in a fairly stealthy manner. 
For hammered investors thinking of suing their investment professionals, the so-called "Well Managed Portfolio" benchmark will likely come into play. Should Defendants/Respondents (typically brokerage firms, RIAs, and representatives) may argue that contrary to the Plaintiff/Claimant's (customer's) allegations, the return on the cited depreciated investments are consistent with what would normally have been deemed a properly allocated and suitably diversified portfolio. In simpler terms, it wasn't the investment strategy that failed but the overall markets that collapsed in an unprecedented fashion with unexpected celerity. 
In response to dramatic market crashes and sell-offs, investors often allege that their portfolios were unsuitable or that their investment professional had failed to take timely steps to mitigate damages.  When such claims are adjudicated, a customer is often required to demonstrate what an alternative "well-managed" investment strategy would have yielded under the same circumstances. All of which may wind up with an argument that "I should have been 100% in cash," which, as far as an argument goes, is okay -- but, it's going to be tough to find a credible expert to testify that a generally-accepted strategy for building a retirement nest-egg is to be 100% invested at all times in the U.S. Dollar. If you don't want any risk of loss then you shouldn't be in the stock or bond markets. Risk is risk is risk. Unquestionably, many victimized investors will be able to prove that they were victimized by unsuitable investing, fraud, and criminality. In some cases, robo-investing or robo-advising were not implemented as promised, or were over-ridden in contravention of how the investment program was sold to investors. Similarly, some investment professionals fraudulently down-played the inherent risks of owning certain assets or pursuing certain strategies. Regardless, one of the inevitable results of the pandemic will be to prompt a flood of investor lawsuits against the financial services industry. That was the case with the Great Recession. The coronavirus will not be any different. In the end, the current pandemic may prove to be the lawyers full-time employment act.  

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/30/coronavirus-food-crisis-looms-as-farms-idle-countries-hoard-supplies.html
Despite the reduced demand for foodstuffs from the moribund restaurant and hospitality industries (offset to a minor extent consumer stockpiling), we are now facing reports of hoarding by nations trying to maintain agricultural resources. CNBC Reporter Huileng Tan reports about the impact of the coronavirus on the world's food production that now includes reduced hands in the fields and fewer employees at processing plants. In part, Tan reports that:

"Some countries could resort to trade restrictions or aggressive stockpiling in a bid to safeguard food security, which could quickly escalate and support grain and oilseed prices," said Fitch Solutions.

Among the major crop producing countries that have implemented export restrictions are Vietnam, which has curbed rice exports and Russia, which has halted processed grain exports. Kazakhstan has also suspended exports of wheat flour, buckwheat, sugar, sunflower oil, and some vegetables.

Coronavirus hits already struggling US farmers: 'We've stopped saying it can't get worse' (CNBC.com by Emma Newburger)
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/28/coronavirus-hits-already-struggling-us-farmers-with-drop-in-prices.html
In contrast to CNBC's Tan story about crop hoarding, reporter Emma Newburger presents a somewhat counter-intuitive story detailing the dire straits of the US agricultural sector. One would anticipate that the tension between, on the one hand, the hoarding of agricultural resources and the reduced farm-to-table distribution capacity, versus, on the other hand, the reduced demand caused by social distancing/quarantine will tip the scales in one direction or the other: Either the soft commodities markets will plummet further or find a bottom and bounce higher. As Newburger reports:

But panic is surging as more states shutter businesses and order people to stay mostly indoors. Consumer demand for items like beef, chicken and fish has dropped as restaurants close indefinitely. More people are opting for cheaper, nonperishable goods like pasta and beans at grocery stores. 

"It's not looking good. Product can't be moved. Farmers are very concerned," said Aubrey Onley, a farmer in Perquimans County, North Carolina.

The numbers are grim: Corn futures have declined almost 10%, soybean futures more than 4% and wheat futures nearly 2% in the past several weeks. Futures prices for lean hogs have dropped 12% in the past two weeks and prices for cattle have declined nearly 13%. 

http://www.brokeandbroker.com/5145/finra-unexplained-arbitration/
Regrettably, I am forced to concede that that as a lawyer, I understand the legal bases for the courts' dismissal of the Lanzas' appeals. Boiled down to its repugnant essence, the courts' rationale is that the Lanzas entered into FINRA arbitration subject to the forum's rules -- among which was a policy that an "explained decision" is only required in response to a request joined into by all parties.  Okay, I get it: Since Ameriprise didn't join in on the request, the Lanzas were on notice that the arbitrators could just issue crapola and that's it. 

SEC Division of Trading and Markets' Response to COVID-19
https://www.sec.gov/tm/trading-markets-response-covid-19
As set forth by the Division on sec.gov:

Below please find links to certain TM-related documents in response to the effects of COVID-19. This is not an exhaustive list. Please refer to the SEC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response page for more information:
Orders were entered in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York barring eight individuals and entities from continuing to facilitate the transmission of fraudulent robocalls. As alleged in part in the DOJ Release:

United States v. Nicholas Palumbo, et al.

In the first case, the District Court issued a preliminary injunction against spouses Nicholas and Natasha Palumbo of Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Arizona companies they own and operate, Ecommerce National LLC d/b/a TollFreeDeals.com and SIP Retail d/b/a sipretail.com.  The District Court held, in a written opinion, that the evidence presented by the United States demonstrated probable cause to conclude that the defendants were engaged in "widespread patterns of telecommunications fraud, intended to deprive call recipients in the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere of money and property."

The preliminary injunction issued by the court bars those defendants from carrying any VoIP calls destined for phones in the United States and providing any U.S. telephone numbers (often used as call-back numbers in the fraudulent robocalling schemes) to any individuals or entities during the pendency of this litigation.  The court noted that though defendants had been warned more than 100 times of specific instances of fraudulent calls being transmitted through their network, they never severed their business relationship with any entity they learned was associated with fraudulent call traffic, prior to the United States' filing of its lawsuit.  The court further noted that "the telecommunications 'intermediary' industry is set up perfectly to allow fraudulent operators to rotate telephone numbers endlessly and blame other parties for the fraudulent call traffic they carry," that the United States "demonstrat[ed] probable cause to conclude that defendants' business is permeated with fraud," that "multiple individual victims in the United States suffered significant fraud losses," and that "[e]very day that the defendants' actions in this vein continue, the public is at risk of harm in the form of additional high-dollar fraud losses."
. . .

United States v. John Kahen, et al.

In the second case, the District Court entered consent decrees permanently resolving the matter against five individuals and entities who were also operating intermediary VoIP carriers.  The court entered a consent decree on March 2, 2020 against Jon Kahen, a/k/a Jon Kaen of New York, and New York corporations Global Voicecom Inc. and Global Telecommunication Services Inc., permanently barring those defendants from, among other things, using the U.S. telephone system to: deliver prerecorded messages through automatic means, carry calls to the United States from foreign locations, and provide calling and toll-free services for calls originating in the United States.  In addition, the defendants are permanently barred from serving as employees, agents, or consultants to any person or entity engaged in these activities.  In a second consent decree, entered on March 24, 2020, the District Court barred KAT Telecom Inc., a New York corporation, from conveying or causing any other person or entity from conveying fraudulent telephone calls, fraudulent recordings, and unauthorized "spoofed" telephone calls.  In the event that KAT Telecom, Inc. resumes operations, it must also implement strong anti-fraud measures, including anti-fraud monitoring, mitigation, and know-your-customer measures.

https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/fda_documents/2016048256701
%20Arive%20Capital%20Markets%2C%20LLC%20CRD%208060%20AWC%20va.pdf
For the purpose of proposing a settlement of rule violations alleged by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), without admitting or denying the findings, prior to a regulatory hearing, and without an adjudication of any issue, Arive Capital Markets, LLC submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent ("AWC"), which FINRA accepted. The AWC alleges that Arive Capital Markets, LLC has been a FINRA member firm since 1980 with about 31 registered individuals at five branch offices. The AWC asserts that "Arive does not have any relevant disciplinary history with the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities regulators, FINRA, or any other self-regulatory organization." In accordance with the terms of the AWC, FINRA imposed upon Arive Capital Markets, LLC a Censure and $45,000 fine. As set forth in the AWC's "Overview":

During the period October 27, 2015 through March 8, 2016 (the "Relevant Period"), Arive failed to develop and implement an anti-money laundering program ("AIVILCP") reasonably designed to achieve and monitor the Firm's compliance with requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act and the implementing regulations thereunder. Specifically, the Firm failed to establish and implement policies and procedures that could be reasonably expected to detect and cause the reporting of potentially suspicious activity related to low-priced securities transactions. Arive also failed to conduct annual independent testing (on a calendar-year basis) of its AMLCP in 2015 and 2016. 

As a result of the foregoing conduct, Arive violated FINRA Rules 3310(a) and (c) and 2010. 

In setting out some of Arive's AML Manual deficiencies, the AWC noted the absence of numerous so-called "red flags," such as:
  • A sudden spike in investor demand for, coupled with a rising price, in a thinly traded security; 
  • Multiple customer accounts buying and/or selling a thinly traded low-priced stock;
  • A number of transactions in a stock comprising a large percentage of the total volume of market trading; 
  • Spam, advertising, or promotional campaigns related to the low-priced stock being bought or sold by Firm customers; and 
  • Customers buying or selling the security of an issuer that has changed its name and business strategy multiple times. 
The above omissions in Arive's AML Manual proved particularly telling because the AWC alleges that:

During the Relevant Period, three registered representatives of the Firm had 22 customer accounts that engaged in a pattern of trading hundreds of thousands of shares in a particular low-priced security, which comprised a significant volume of the total trading in the stock (i.e., on certain days, the trading exceeded 50% of the total daily trading volume). There were various red flags in connection with this pattern of trading, including the following: 
  • The trading of the security was concentrated in customers of three Firm brokers. 
  • The company whose shares were traded underwent a number of name and business strategy changes since its incorporation. 
  • There was publicly available negative information about the company, including articles and a lawsuit alleging fraud against the company. 
  • There were press releases, on-line articles and a complaint filed in federal court, that all indicated the stock was touted by a suspected microcap stock promoter who was also a Firm customer that engaged in the suspicious trading. 
  • The brokers' recommendations to invest in the stock were suspect because of the company's unstable financial conditions. 
  • Investments in the security resulted in the highest customer losses at the Firm. 
Arive failed to take reasonable steps to identify, investigate and address these numerous red flags, and because of  these failures, the Firm failed to detect the suspicious trading in
the low-priced security.

Bill Singer's Comment:

Compliments to FINRA on issuing a well-drafted AWC replete with sufficient content and context. Overall, a compelling presentation that makes the self-regulator's case and also offers very helpful guidance to its member firms as to how to better address some of the compliance and regulatory issues. 

The Arive Capital AWC  includes a provision under "III. OTHER MATTERS" that sets forth this admonition:

D. Respondent may attach a Corrective Action Statement to this AWC that is a statement of demonstrable corrective steps taken to prevent future misconduct. Respondent understands that it may not deny the charges or make any statement that is inconsistent with the AWC in this Statement. This Statement does not constitute factual or legal findings by FINRA, nor does it reflect the views of FINRA or its staff.

I am no fan of Corrective Action Statements and rarely, if ever, advocate their use.  Given that the premise of an AWC is a settlement made without admitting or denying the findings, I don't understand why anyone would voluntarily submit a statement that typically make admissions of facts and findings; promises to correct situations that have not necessarily been acknowledged or admitted to; and, in the end, simply draws more undesired attention to the matter. If you feel compelled to attach a Corrective Action Statement, then ask yourself if you might not be better advised to argue your case before a Hearing Panel and, if necessary, on appeal. If you conclude that the costs and/or risks of contesting the charges aren't worth it, then just sign the damn AWC and get over it.

Some think that a Corrective Action Statement gives you a parting shot at unfair regulation or an opportunity to put your own spin on the matter. I would suggest that you simply avoid the temptation. As with any post-game analysis, it's just not going to change the score. Moreover, if during subsequent examinations, a regulator finds that you engaged in similar misconduct to that discussed in your statement, or, it is alleged that you failed to  implement the promised revised policies and procedures, your own words may prove blunt instruments used to beat you into submission. 

Notwithstanding my opinion, Arive Capital Markets' Chief Executive Officer apparently determined that it was advisable to submit this Corrective Action Statement, which states in pertinent part:

I am responding on behalf of Arive Capital Markets ("Arive") to the above-referenced Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent ("AWC"). The AWC is related to Arive's implementation of an anti-money laundering program ("AMLCP") reasonably designed to achieve and monitor the Firm's compliance with the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act and the implementing regulations thereunder. The findings in the AWC have been addressed and mitigated as explained in this Corrective Action Statement. 

This Corrective Action Statement is submitted by Arive. It does not constitute factual or legal findings by FINRA, nor does it reflect the views of FINRA, or its staff. 

Arive updated its Written Supervisory Procedures ("WSPs") in 2016 when it became aware of the issues identified in the AWC. 

In particular Arive adopted additional procedural safeguards regarding the purchase and sale of low-priced securities. Arive now actively reviews all transactions in low priced securities. Further, Arive now requires its brokers to receive approval from the Compliance Department prior to conducting any transactions involving a low-priced security. Individual brokers are reminded of this policy on an annual basis and sign an annual attestation that they will not engage in any transaction involving low-priced securities without prior approval from the Compliance Department. 

Arive believes that implementing these changes addresses the shortcomings in its AMLCP noted in the AWC. That there has been no reoccurrence of such issues from 2016 to the present has born that belief out.

Arive has also taken steps to address the gap in its independent auditing schedule noted in the AWC. Arive has conducted annual audits of its AMLCP every year since 2017. 

Having addressed the issues noted in the AWC, Arive is confident that similar issues will not reoccur. Please contact me if you have any questions concerning the corrective actions taken. 


In the Matter of FINRA Department of Enforcement, Complainant, v. Louis Ottimo, Respondent.(FINRA National Adjudicatory Council Decision, Complaint No. 2009017440201  / March 15, 2017)
https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/NAC_2009017440201_Ottimo%2C_031517_0.pdf
As set forth under the heading "Decision" in the 2017 NAC Decision:

Louis Ottimo appeals an Extended Hearing Panel decision issued on July 10, 2015. The Extended Hearing Panel found that Ottimo fraudulently omitted material information in a personal biography in the offer and sale of securities, in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and FINRA Rules 2020 and 2010. It further found that Ottimo willfully failed to disclose or disclose timely on the Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer ("Form U4") material information related to his unsatisfied tax liens, judgments, and a bankruptcy filing, in violation of FINRA Rules 1122 and 2010, NASD IM-1000-1, and Article V, Section 2(c) of FINRA's ByLaws. For his fraud violation, the Extended Hearing Panel barred Ottimo from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. For his Form U4 violation, the Extended Hearing Panel assessed, but in light of the bar did not impose, a $25,000 fine and a two-year suspension in all capacities. The Panel also found Ottimo's misconduct was willful, as a result of which he was statutorily disqualified. On appeal, Ottimo challenges before the National Adjudicatory Council ("NAC") the Extended Hearing Panel's fraud findings and corresponding sanction. He does not challenge the Extended Hearing Panel's Form U4 findings but requests the NAC to reduce the Panel's assessed sanctions. Based on an independent review of the record, we affirm the Extended Hearing Panel's findings of violation and sanctions. 

I. Background 

Ottimo entered the securities industry in 1995. He was employed with several FINRA member firms before he joined his father's brokerage firm, EKN Financial Services Inc. ("EKN" or "Firm"), as a general securities representative in 2008. Prior to his association with EKN, Ottimo was the co-owner of Jet One Jets, Inc. ("Jet One Jets"), a broker that arranged private jet charters, and the owner and president of Wheatley Capital Corporation ("Wheatley"), a company that handled back-office operations for EKN. In February 2012, Ottimo created and sold interests in First Secondary Market Fund LLC ("Fund"), a special purpose vehicle created to purchase shares of Facebook Inc. ("Facebook") in the secondary market before its initial public offering ("IPO"). FINRA expelled EKN in October 2012. Ottimo's most recent employer terminated his registration in February 2014 and he has not associated with a FINRA member firm since then. 

In the Matter of the Application of Louis Ottimo For Review of Disciplinary Action Taken by FINRA (Opinion, SEC, '34 Act Rel. No. 83555; Admin. Proc. File No. 3-17930 / June 28, 2018)
http://brokeandbroker.com/PDF/OttimoSEC180628.pdf As set forth in the preamble of the SEC Opinion:

Louis Ottimo, a former registered representative with EKN Financial Services Inc. ("EKN"), a former FINRA member firm, seeks review of a FINRA disciplinary action finding that he fraudulently omitted information from his biography in a private placement memorandum (the "PPM") in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and FINRA Rules 2020 and 2010. FINRA also found that Ottimo failed timely and accurately to update his Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer ("Form U4") to reflect unsatisfied tax liens, judgments, and a bankruptcy filing in violation of FINRA Rules 1122 and 2010, NASD IM-1000-1, and Article V, Section 2(c) of FINRA's ByLaws. For the fraud violations, FINRA imposed a bar. For the Form U4 violations, FINRA assessed -- but in light of the bar did not impose -- a $25,000 fine and a two-year suspension in all capacities. FINRA also found that Ottimo's misconduct was willful and that he was statutorily disqualified from association with a FINRA member firm as a result. 

We affirm FINRA's finding of the Form U4 violations, which Ottimo does not challenge, and affirm in part its findings of fraud as to the PPM. But part of FINRA's fraud findings is not supported by the record. Accordingly, we remand for FINRA to reassess the sanctions. 

In the Matter of the FINRA Department of Enforcement, Complainant, v. Louis Ottimo, Respondent (Decision, FINRA National Adjudicatory Council, Complaint No. 2009017440201r)
https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/fda_documents/2009017440201r
%20Louis%20Ottimo%20CRD%202606438%20NAC%20Decision%20sl.pdf
The NAC barred Respondent Ottimo for committing fraud and ordered him to pay $11,037.51 in hearing costs and $1,692.50 in appellate costs. In a somewhat odd development, the NAC also suspended Ottimo in all capacities for two years and fined him $25,000 (not for "fraud" but for Form U4 violations); however, the NAC declined to "impose" the suspension and fine in light of his Bar. 

Ummm . . . what? What the hell is the point of not imposing a suspension and fine when you seem to indicate that you are suspending and fining him?  Strikes me as about the same as saying that you're going to "fish," and, by the way, we're also going to "cut bait," but for the fact that we're not going to cut bait because we've decided to fish. C'mon already. If you want to preserve the separate Form U4 violations and the two-year-suspension and fine out of an understandable concern that Ottimo might appeal again to the SEC, and you want to ensure that if the fraud conviction is thrown out that there is a separate conviction for the Form U4, fine -- then impose the Bar, the suspension, and the fine. But you can't keep your hand on the chess piece for ever and pretend that it's not a move. Like I said, either "fish" or "cut bait" but not both. Either impose the suspension and fine or don't -- and if you're not going to do so, then don't mention it in the NAC Decision. 

Regardless of my pissy comment, as set forth in the 2020 NAC Decision under the heading "Background":

This matter is before us on remand from the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission"). In our initial decision, the National Adjudicatory Council ("NAC") found that Louis Ottimo fraudulently omitted material information in his private placement memorandum ("PPM") biography in the offer and sale of securities, in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), Exchange Act Rule 10b-5, and FINRA Rules 2020 and 2010. The NAC further found that Ottimo willfully failed to amend, or amend timely, on the Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer ("Form U4") material information related to his unsatisfied tax liens and civil judgments, and a bankruptcy filing. For his fraud violation, the NAC barred Ottimo from associating with any FINRA member in all capacities. For his Form U4 violations, the NAC assessed a two-year suspension in all capacities and a $25,000 fine, but in light of the bar did not impose them. Because Ottimo engaged in willful misconduct, he was subject to statutory disqualification. See Dep't of Enforcement v. Ottimo, Complaint No. 2009017440201, 2017 FINRA Discip. LEXIS 10 (FINRA NAC Mar. 15, 2017). 

On appeal to the Commission, Ottimo challenged only those portions of the NAC's decision that found him liable for engaging in fraud. The Commission affirmed FINRA's findings that Ottimo repeatedly failed to timely and accurately report material information on his Form U4 in violation of FINRA rules, and that his violations were willful. Thus, Ottimo is statutorily disqualified. The Commission further affirmed FINRA's findings that Ottimo violated the antifraud provisions under SEC and FINRA rules, with one exception. The Commission found that Ottimo willfully violated Exchange Act Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5, and FINRA Rules 2020 and 2010, by omitting material facts in his PPM biography related to Jet One Jets, Inc. ("Jet One Jets"), a private jet charter company he co-owned. The Commission also sustained FINRA's finding that Ottimo is statutorily disqualified on this ground. The Commission, however, set aside FINRA's finding that Ottimo's failure to disclose bankruptcy information regarding Wheatley Capital Corporation ("Wheatley") constituted a material omission of fact that made his biography in the PPM misleading. Because the Commission set aside a portion of the fraud findings, it remanded the case to FINRA to re-determine the sanctions. See Louis Ottimo, Exchange Act Release No. 83555, 2018 SEC LEXIS 1588 (June 28, 2018). 

Having reconsidered the matter based on the full record, the Commission's findings of violation, and the briefs the parties submitted on remand, we impose the sanction of a bar on Ottimo. As explained below, we do so based on Ottimo's fraudulent omissions regarding Jet One Jets, and assess, but in light of the bar do not impose, a two-year suspension and $25,000 fine for his Form U4 violations. 


FINRA Department of Enforcement, Complainant, v. Merrimac Corporate Securities, Inc. and Robert G. Nash, Respondents (FINRA Office of Hearing Officers Extended Hearing Panel Decision, Disc. Proc. No. 201102766692 / March 31, 2015)
http://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/OHO_201102766690_Merrimac_033115_0_0.pdf
As set forth in the Syllabus to the OHO Decision:

Respondent Merrimac Corporate Securities violated (1) FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010 by providing false documents to FINRA; (2) FINRA Rule 2010 by selling unregistered securities in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933; (3) NASD Rule 3011 and FINRA Rules 3310 and 2010 by failing to establish and implement Anti-Money Laundering ("AML") policies and procedures that can be reasonably expected to achieve compliance with AML rules and regulations and monitor and detect suspicious activity; (4) NASD Rules 3010 and 2110 and FINRA Rule 2010 by failing to maintain a reasonable supervisory system; and (5) FINRA Rule 2010 by effecting securities transactions while its registration was suspended. 

Respondent Robert G. Nash violated (1) FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010 by providing false documents to FINRA; and (2) NASD Rules 3010 and 2110 and FINRA Rule 2010 by failing to maintain a reasonable supervisory system and procedures. The Panel dismissed the AML charges against Nash, alleging violations of NASD Rule 3011 and FINRA Rules 3310 and 2010. 

Merrimac is fined a total of $225,000, suspended from FINRA membership for 30 business days, suspended for one year from receiving and liquidating penny stocks for which no registration statement is in effect, and required to retain an independent consultant to revise its written supervisory procedures. The sanctions associated with each violation are as follows: For violating FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010 by providing false documents to FINRA, Merrimac is fined $50,000. For violating FINRA Rule 2010 by selling unregistered securities in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, Merrimac is fined $50,000. For violating NASD Rule 3011 and FINRA Rules 3310 and 2010 by failing to establish and implement AML policies and procedures that can be reasonably expected to detect and cause the reporting of suspicious transactions, Merrimac is fined $25,000. For violating NASD Rules 3010 and 2110 and FINRA Rule 2010 by failing to maintain a reasonable supervisory system, Merrimac is fined $50,000, suspended for one year from receiving and liquidating penny stocks for which no registration statement is in effect, and required to retain an independent consultant, acceptable to Enforcement, with experience in designing and evaluating broker-dealer procedures to review and approve its written supervisory procedures. For violating FINRA Rule 2010 by effecting securities transactions while its registration was suspended, Merrimac is fined $50,000 and suspended from FINRA membership for 30 business days. Merrimac's suspension from receiving and liquidating penny stocks for which no registration statement is in effect shall run consecutive to Merrimac's 30-business day suspension from FINRA membership. 

Nash is fined a total of $50,000, suspended for one year in all principal capacities, and required to requalify as a principal. The sanctions associated with each violation are as follows: For violating FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010 by providing false documents to FINRA, Nash is fined $25,000 and suspended for one year in all principal capacities. For violating NASD Rules 3010 and 2110 and FINRA Rule 2010 by failing to maintain a reasonable supervisory system and procedures, Nash is fined $25,000, suspended for one year in all principal capacities, and required to requalify as a principal before acting in any capacity requiring that qualification. Nash's suspensions shall be concurrent. In addition, Respondents are ordered to pay costs.

FINRA Department of Enforcement, Complainant, v. Merrimac Corporate Securiteis, Inc. and Robert G. Nash, Respondents (FINRA National Adjudicatory Council Decision, Disc. Proc. No. 201102766692 / May 26, 2017)
http://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/NAC_2011027666902_Merrimac_052617_0.pdf
As set forth in the Syllabus to the 2017 NAC Decision:

Merrimac Corporate Securities, Inc. provided false documents to FINRA; sold unregistered securities; failed to establish and implement adequate AML policies; failed to maintain a reasonable supervisory system and adequate written supervisory procedures; and effected securities transactions while its registration was suspended. 

Respondent Robert Nash provided false documents to FINRA and failed to maintain a reasonable supervisory system and adequate written supervisory procedures. 

Held, findings and sanctions affirmed. 

In the Matter of the Application for Merrimac Corporate Securities, Inc. and Robert G. Nash for Review of Disciplinary Action Taken by FINRA (SEC Opinion; Sec. Act. Rel. No. 10662; Sec. Exchange Act Rel. No. 86404; Admin. Proc. File No. 3-18045 / July 17, 2019)
https://www.sec.gov/litigation/opinions/2019/33-10662.pdf
On appeal from FINRA to the SEC, continuing to represent themselves pro se. On appeal, the SEC sustained FINRA's action and sanctions with the exception that the findings that Robert Nash had violated NASD Rules 3010 and 2110, and FINRA Rule 2010. In light of that reversal, the SEC ordered that the sanctions imposed for the cited violations be set aside, and the federal regulator remanded the proceeding to allow FINRA to reconsider its sanctions imposed on Nash. As set forth in the Syllabus to the SEC Opinion:

Registered securities association found that member firm and its chief compliance officer violated the association's rules. Both applicants provided falsified documents to FINRA, and failed to maintain an effective supervisory system. Firm also caused the unregistered sale of securities not subject to exemption in violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, failed to establish and implement an effective anti-money-laundering system, and effected securities transactions while its registration was suspended. Held, FINRA's findings of violations and imposition of sanctions are sustained in part.

In setting aside FINRA's finding that Nash had engaged in misconduct by failihng to establish a supervisory system overseeing various investment-related websites, the SEC Opinion asserts in part that [Ed: footnotes omitted]:

[N]ash was responsible for reviewing and drafting the firm's WSPs, and the WSPs provided that all advertising would be reviewed for misleading or inaccurate statements and that David Matthews, the firm's president, would do so. The WSPs also specified that "[a]ll business messages on the internet shall be considered advertising." And NASD Rule 2210 defined "advertisements" to include "[a]ny material . . . that is published, or used in any electronic . . . public media, including any Web site." Yet the NAC faulted Nash for not "identify[ing]" in the WSPs that "websites [are] advertising to be reviewed"; its rationale for holding Nash liable was that "Merrimac's procedures did not specifically state that websites were advertising." Neither the NAC's cursory explanation nor FINRA's briefs on appeal have demonstrated why the WSPs were inadequate in light of the various provisions of the WSPs and the terms of NASD Rule 2210. Under the circumstances, Nash did not fail to establish a reasonably designed supervisory system with respect to the websites. 

Pages 34 - 35 of the SEC Opinion

Accordingly, the SEC Opinion admonishes that:

For his supervisory violations, the NAC fined Nash $25,000, imposed a one-year suspension in a principal capacity, and required him to requalify as a general securities principal. The NAC based these sanctions, in part, on its finding that Nash failed to establish reasonable WSPs regarding the investment-related websites. Because we set aside that finding of violation, we remand for the NAC to determine the appropriate sanctions for Nash's supervisory violations that we sustain. We express no opinion as to the appropriate sanctions on remand.

Page 36 of the SEC Opinion

FINRA Department of Enforcement, Complainant, v. Merrimac Corporate Securiteis, Inc. and Robert G. Nash, Respondents (FINRA National Adjudicatory Council Decision, Disc. Proc. No. 201102766692r / March 27, 2020)
https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/fda_documents/2011027666902r
%20Merrimanc%20Corporate%20Securities%2C%20Inc%20CRD%2035463
%20Robert%20G.%20Nash%20CRD%20718820%20NAC%20Decision%20sl.pdf
In modifying its sanctions on Nash, the NAC noted in part that "Nash has demonstrated a complete failure to appreciate the responsibilities of his supervisory role, and his misconduct led to other seriousviolative conduct;" and that:

On remand, Enforcement argues that we should impose the same sanctions for Nash's supervisory failures that were imposed in the NAC Decision. We are cognizant, however, that the Commission dismissed one of the bases for those sanctions and, accordingly, we find that a reduction of the fine and suspension imposed in the NAC Decision is appropriate. We also note that the supervisory violations that were affirmed by the Commission are serious and warrant significant sanctions. Accordingly, we find that a $22,500 fine, a ten-month suspension in all principal and supervisory capacities, and a requirement that Nash requalify by examination as a registered principal before again acting in that capacity are appropriately remedial sanctions for Nash's violations. 

Page 6 of the 2020 NAC Decision