Solely based upon the explanation in FINRA's squib, I don't like the outcome here. It seems that Johnson "suspected" that something was wrong (in contradistinction to "knowing for certain") and asked the RIA's President for an explanation, which was given to him suggesting that there was a waived fee that had altered the reported numbers. FINRA records note that Johnson had no role whatsoever in preparing the reports at issue.
FINRA records suggest During the period from September 2004 through October 2008, Johnson was employed by a Louisiana-registered investment adviser company, Greenwing Securities, Inc. ("GSF'), which served as the general manager of three hedge funds, and Johnson's job responsibility was to assist GSI's president (who made the misrepresentations at the heart of this matter) in managing the investment portfolio of one of the three hedge funds. In June 2007, Johnson became associated with NWT Financial Group, LLC ("NWT") and registered with FINRA as a General Securities Principal, a General Securities Representative, and a Registered Options Principal. With the approval of NWT, Johnson continued in his employment with GSI while associated with NWT.
Barring more, I'm not understanding how Johnson's query and subsequent conduct warrant a $5,000 fine and a four-month suspension. If there is a stronger case here, and FINRA may well have one, then the regulator needs to spell out more specifics.