Adjudications & Decisions
When FINRA determines that violations of securities rules have occurred and formal disciplinary action is necessary, the Enforcement Department files a complaint with the Office of Hearing Officers (OHO).
The Office arranges a three-person panel to hear the case. The panel is chaired by a hearing officer who is an employee of the Office of Hearing Officers. The Chief Hearing Officer appoints two industry panelists, drawn primarily from a pool of current and former securities industry members of FINRA's District Committees, as well as its Market Regulation Committee, former members of FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) and former FINRA Governors.
At the hearing, the parties present evidence for the panel to determine whether a firm or individual has engaged in conduct that violates FINRA rules, SEC regulations or federal securities laws. In reaching its decision, the hearing panel also considers previous court, SEC, and NAC decisions to determine if violations occurred. The NAC is the national committee which reviews initial decisions rendered in FINRA disciplinary and membership proceedings.
For each case, the hearing panel will issue a written decision explaining the reasons for its ruling and consult the FINRA Sanction Guidelines to determine the appropriate sanctions if violations have occurred. FINRA also, when feasible and appropriate, can order firms and individuals to make restitution to harmed customers.
Appeals Process
Under FINRA's disciplinary procedures, a firm or individual has the right to appeal a hearing panel decision to the NAC, or the NAC may on its own initiate a review of a decision. On appeal, the NAC will determine if a hearing panel's findings were legally correct, factually supported and consistent with FINRA's Sanction Guidelines. While a panel decision is on appeal, the sanction is not enforced against the firm or individual.
Unless FINRA's Board of Governors decides to review the NAC's appellate decision, that decision represents FINRA's final action. A firm or individual can appeal FINRA's decision to the SEC and then to federal court.
View All Adjudications & Decisions
| Date of Decision | Proceeding No. | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 01, 1999 | C02980073 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. McLaughlin, Piven, Vogel Securities, Inc. and James Cecil McLaughlin | Disciplinary Decision |
| August 27, 1999 | C02980024 | Order Granting Complainant's Motion to Strike | Disciplinary Order |
| August 20, 1999 | C01970028 | In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee For District No. 1, Complainant, vs. Respondent Firm 1 and Respondent 2 | Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision |
| August 18, 1999 | CAF980005 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. VTR Capital, Inc., Edward J. McCune, Howard R. Perles, and Laurence M. Geller | Disciplinary Decision |
| August 13, 1999 | C9A980041 | Hearing Panel Decision | Redacted Decision |
| August 12, 1999 | C01970032 | In the Matter of Department of Enforcement, Complainant vs. Respondent | Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision |
| August 12, 1999 | C07980019 | John D. Morgan | Disciplinary Decision |
| August 09, 1999 | C01970001 | Joel Dean Moore | Disciplinary Decision |
| August 06, 1999 | C8B970010 | District Business Conduct Committee For District No. 8, Complainant, vs. Respondent 1 | Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision |
| August 06, 1999 | C06910024 | Toney L. Reed | Disciplinary Decision |
| August 06, 1999 | C06910024 | In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee For District No. 6 Complainant, vs. Respondent 1 | Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision |
| August 03, 1999 | ARB990014 | Non-Summary Suspension Proceeding ARB990014 | Expedited Decision, Non-Summary Proceeding |
| July 29, 1999 | CMS980108 | Hearing Panel Decision | Redacted Decision |
| July 17, 1999 | C8A990015 | Hearing Panel Order Granting Respondent'sMotion for Leave to Introduce Expert Witness Testimony | Disciplinary Order |
| July 09, 1999 | CMS960238 | Michael B. Jawitz | Disciplinary Decision |
| July 08, 1999 | C3A960033 | Brian Prendergast | Disciplinary Decision |
| July 07, 1999 | C8A990015 | Order Granting in Part and Denying in Part Complainant's Motion to Strike Affirmative Defenses | Disciplinary Order |
| July 07, 1999 | C3A960029 | Kevin D. Kunz & Kunz & Cline Inc. Management, Inc. | Disciplinary Decision |
| July 06, 1999 | C02980051 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Gordon Kerr | Disciplinary Decision |
| June 28, 1999 | CAF990007 | Order Granting Respondents' Motion for Reconsideration | Disciplinary Order |
| June 28, 1999 | C8A970015 | Kevin Lee Otto | Disciplinary Decision |
| June 25, 1999 | CAF980022 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Coleman & Company Securities, Inc. and Aaron J. Yorke, IV | Disciplinary Decision |
| June 21, 1999 | CAF980002 | Order Denying Respondents' Motion to Compel Production of Documents | Disciplinary Order |
| June 18, 1999 | C10980070 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. John J. Lee | Disciplinary Decision |
| June 18, 1999 | CAF970011 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Monroe Parker Securities, Inc. | Disciplinary Decision |