Enforcement Actions
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
CASES OF NOTE
2010
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.
Melvin Lee Peterson
AWC/2005000346106

Registered Principal Peterson was responsible for contacting representatives at his member firm whose accounts appeared on the active account surveillance reports to investigate the activity and contact the customers, if necessary. Despite being made aware of frequent transactions in customers’ accounts, Peterson failed to reasonably respond to “red flags” indicating unsuitable and excessive trading by not contacting the customers nor restricting activity in the accounts. Peterson relied on the representatives’ unsubstantiated and false claims and order entry records.

Melvin Lee Peterson: Fined $15,000; Suspended 1 year in Principal capacity only; Required to requalify by examination before acting in any principal capacity with any FINRA member.
Tags: Supervision  
Bill Singer's Comment

FINRA's March reports reflect a marked increase in sanctions against Principals for failing to reasonably supervise and likely reflect the regulator's intent to focus on this particular failing for some time to come.  To the extent that there was ever a honeymoon for supervisors and managers when it came to failing to supervise, that lovey-dovey period is clearly over.

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