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.
Daniel Lee Puplava (Principal)
AWC/2007010991901
Puplava’s non-registered assistant had access
to his signature guarantee stamp, and without Puplava’s knowledge, permitted the
member firm’s registered representatives to use the signature guarantee stamp
to approve securities business-related transactions and paperwork that required
a signature guarantee stamp. Puplava discovered this
practice and instructed his non-registered assistant and the registered
representatives involved to discontinue the practice, but Puplava did not take
back his signature guarantee stamp or take steps to otherwise secure the stamp
to prevent its misuse. Puplava had customers sign
blank securities business-related forms, including non-brokerage change request
forms, mutual fund transfer forms and securities account forms, and retained
these forms in his customer files contrary to his member firm’s prohibition
against this practice.
Daniel Lee Puplava (Principal): Fined $7,000; Suspended 3 months in all capacities; Suspended 20 business days in Principal/Supervisory capacities only