Enforcement Actions
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
CASES OF NOTE
2009
NOTE: Stipulations of Fact and Consent to Penalty (SFC); Offers of Settlement (OS); and Letters of Acceptance Waiver, and Consent (AWC) are entered into by Respondents without admitting or denying the allegations, but consent is given to the described sanctions & to the entry of findings. Additionally, for AWCs, if FINRA has reason to believe a violation has occurred and the member or associated person does not dispute the violation, FINRA may prepare and request that the member or associated person execute a letter accepting a finding of violation, consenting to the imposition of sanctions, and agreeing to waive such member's or associated person's right to a hearing before a hearing panel, and any right of appeal to the National Adjudicatory Council, the SEC, and the courts, or to otherwise challenge the validity of the letter, if the letter is accepted. The letter shall describe the act or practice engaged in or omitted, the rule, regulation, or statutory provision violated, and the sanction or sanctions to be imposed.
Legent Clearing LLC
AWC/2007007133001

Legent failed to develop and implement a written AML program reasonably designed to achieve and monitor its compliance with Bank Secrecy Act requirements. The written AML program did not adequately consider the money laundering risks its introducing firms posed; some of which were conducting high risk AML activities. The AML training program was deficient, and that the firm failed to provide an adequate AML training program for new and existing employees. The Firm failed to file, and to timely file, Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), and failed to document any internal discussions it might have had, or the reason for any decision that it might have made, not to file an SAR. The Firm effected improper trades by permitting customers to sell securities in cash accounts before making full cash payment, which was in violation of Regulation T, and failed to properly restrict accounts from trading subsequent to this activity. The Firm failed to ensure that, for each transaction in a cash account, full cash payment was made within two days of the settlement of each purchase, regardless of whether or when the security was sold, and the firm’s written supervisory systems and procedures did not adequately address the Regulation T provisions. The Firm failed to make accurate reserve computations. 

Legent Clearing LLC: Censured; Fined $350,000; Required to adopt and implement policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with Parts 220.8(a) and 220.8(b) of Regulation T, and to have an officer of the firm certify to FINRA, in writing within 60 days, that the firm has adopted and implemented such policies and procedures.

Bill Singer's Comment
Not sure if this is a new trend, but I'm noticing a pick-up in cases involving both AML and Reg T violations.  Let's watch this.
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