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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 1999 | C3A970031 | Daniel S. Hellen | Disciplinary Decision |
| June 14, 1999 | C10970176 | Robert Fitzpatrick | Disciplinary Decision |
| June 10, 1999 | CMS960194 | J.C. Bradford & Co. | Disciplinary Decision |
| June 04, 1999 | C3A950031 | In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee For District No. 3 Complainant, vs. Respondent Firm 1 and Respondent 2 | Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision |
| June 01, 1999 | ARB980026 | Non-Summary Suspension Proceeding ARB980026 | Expedited Decision, Non-Summary Proceeding |
| June 01, 1999 | ARB990008 | Non-Summary Suspension Proceeding ARB990008 | Expedited Decision, Non-Summary Proceeding |
| May 21, 1999 | C3A980069 | Amended Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Michael A. Usher | Disciplinary Decision |
| May 19, 1999 | C05990006 | Order Dismissing Respondent for Lack of Jurisdiction | Redacted Decision |
| May 13, 1999 | C07980027 | Stuart G. Horowitz | Disciplinary Decision |
| May 13, 1999 | C10960208 | A.S. Goldmen & Co., Inc., Anthony J. Marchiano, Stuart E. Winkler, & Stacy Meyers | Disciplinary Decision |
| May 07, 1999 | C8A990015 | Order Denying Respondent's Motion for Separate Proceedings and Stay of Action | Disciplinary Order |
| May 07, 1999 | CAF980031 | Order Denying Motions to Sever | Disciplinary Order |
| May 07, 1999 | CAF980094 | Hearing Panel Decision | Redacted Decision |
| May 06, 1999 | C07980021 | Hearing Panel Decision | Redacted Decision |
| May 06, 1999 | CAF980080 | Hearing Panel Decision | Redacted Decision |
| April 28, 1999 | C02980070 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Frederick D. Smith | Disciplinary Decision |
| April 28, 1999 | C8A960054 | In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee For District No. 8, Complainant, vs. Respondent Firm 1, Respondent 2, Respondent 3, and Respondent 4 | Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision |
| April 27, 1999 | C11970032 | Order Granting Motion to Strike Affirmative Defenses | Disciplinary Order |
| April 21, 1999 | C9B960013 | Steven D. Goodman | Disciplinary Decision |
| April 19, 1999 | C01970025 | Gregory Paul Maggipinto | Disciplinary Decision |
| April 14, 1999 | CAF980002 | Order Granting Respondents' Motion to Compel Production of Rule 8210 Request, and Denying Respondents' Motion to Compel Production of Personnel File and to Preclude Enforcement's Exhibits | Disciplinary Order |
| April 13, 1999 | CMS980108 | Order with Respect to Respondent's Motion to Compel Production of Documents | Disciplinary Order |
| April 12, 1999 | C10980054 | Hearing Panel Decision | Redacted Decision |
| April 09, 1999 | C07980077 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Pier Luccarelli | Disciplinary Decision |
| April 09, 1999 | C10970156 | Andrew D. Schiff | Disciplinary Decision |