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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

Choose Year
Date of Decision Proceeding No. Title Type
November 18, 1997 C3A960014 John Holland Disciplinary Decision
November 15, 1997 C07970055 Final Pre-hearing Conference Order Disciplinary Order
November 14, 1997 C10970141 Order Extending Time for Respondents to Answer Disciplinary Order
November 13, 1997 CAF970002 Order Regarding Motion of Respondents Requesting an Extension of Time to Answer, a More Definite Answer, and an Updated Service List Disciplinary Order
November 11, 1997 CAF970002 Order Denying Motion of Respondents and for Extension of Time to Answer Disciplinary Order
November 05, 1997 C01950010 Ashton N. Gowadia Disciplinary Decision
October 30, 1997 C8A930048 Miguel Angel Cruz Disciplinary Decision
October 30, 1997 C8A950030 James Allen Merlen & City Securities Corporation Disciplinary Decision
October 29, 1997 C10970160 Order Denying Motion for a More Definite Statement Disciplinary Order
October 29, 1997 CMS960105 Order Denying Motion for Disqualification of Hearing Officer Disciplinary Order
October 10, 1997 C05960041 In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee for District No. 5, Complainant, vs. Respondent 1 Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision
October 07, 1997 C3A970066 Order Granting Motion to Withdraw as Counsel to Respondent Disciplinary Order
September 19, 1997 C3A940064 Aspen Capital Group, Inc., & Stephen Carlson Disciplinary Decision
September 18, 1997 C10970158 Order Extending Time for Respondents to Answer Disciplinary Order
September 18, 1997 C8A940073 Steven Herbert Johansen Disciplinary Decision
September 15, 1997 C10970142 Order Denying Request for Extension of Time in Which to Answer Disciplinary Order
September 05, 1997 C01960013 In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee for District No. 1, Complainant, vs. Respondent 1 Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision
August 28, 1997 C05950018 In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee For District No. 5 Complainant, v. Respondent 1 Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision
August 28, 1997 C01950021 In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee for District No. 1, Complainant, vs. Respondent 1 and Respondent 2 Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision
August 28, 1997 C05950018 John M.W. Crute, Jr. Disciplinary Decision
August 28, 1997 C02950053 Michael Edgar Goldstein, Jeffrey B. Goodman, Jason Scott Neu, William Reininger, & Joseph Patrick Hannan Disciplinary Decision
August 22, 1997 CMS920002 Warren R. Schreiber & Marian S. Gargano Disciplinary Decision
August 22, 1997 C8A960074 In the Matter of District Business Conduct Committee For District No. 8 Complainant, vs. Respondent 1 Disciplinary Decision, Redacted Decision
August 12, 1997 CMS950129 Vladislav Steven Zubkis Disciplinary Decision
August 11, 1997 C01960005 Clyde Joseph Bruff Disciplinary Decision