Adjudication and Decisions
When FINRA determines that violations of securities rules have occurred and formal disciplinary action is necessary, the Enforcement Department or Market Regulation 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.
Date of Decision |
Proceeding No.![]() |
Title | Type |
---|---|---|---|
May 15, 2009 | 2007007682501 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Jereis Khawaja | Disciplinary Decision |
Jun 20, 2008 | 20070077587 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Matthew S. Kaplan | Disciplinary Decision |
Oct 31, 2007 | 20070077587 | Order Resolving Certain Pre-Hearing Motions | Disciplinary Order |
Feb 29, 2008 | 20070077587 | Rulings on Pre-Hearing Motions and Notice of Hearing | Disciplinary Order |
Sep 14, 2012 | 2007007792902 | Edward S. Brokaw | Disciplinary Decision |
Jun 11, 2010 | 2007007792902 | Extended Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Edward S. Brokaw | Disciplinary Decision |
May 4, 2010 | 2007007989901 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Respondent | Redacted Decision |
Apr 21, 2009 | 2007008128901 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Francis M. Evans | Disciplinary Decision |
Jul 2, 2012 | 20070082049 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Market Regulation v. Robert Marcus Lane and Jeffrey Griffin Lane | Disciplinary Decision |
Dec 26, 2013 | 20070082049 | Robert Marcus Lane and Jeffrey G. Lane | Disciplinary Decision |
Sep 26, 2012 | 2007008239001 | ACAP Financial Inc. and Gary Hume | Disciplinary Decision |
Apr 25, 2011 | 2007008239001 | CALLED FOR REVIEW: Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. ACAP Financial, Inc. and Gary Hume | Disciplinary Decision |
Oct 15, 2010 | 2007008358101 | Vincent P. McCrudden | Disciplinary Decision |
Oct 15, 2009 | 2007008358101 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Vincent P. McCrudden | Disciplinary Decision |
May 8, 2009 | 2007008370701 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Scott R. Tischler | Disciplinary Decision |
Dec 6, 2007 | 20070086505-01 | Order to Show Cause | Disciplinary Order |
Jun 8, 2012 | 2007008724701 | Amended Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Randy Carlson | Disciplinary Decision |
Sep 18, 2008 | 2007008812801 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Avidan Danny Fishman | Disciplinary Decision |
Oct 4, 2011 | 2007008935010 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. David Trende | Disciplinary Decision |
Jan 7, 2011 | 2007009082902 | Richard A. Neaton | Disciplinary Decision |
Jun 5, 2009 | 2007009082902 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Richard A. Neaton | Disciplinary Decision |
Oct 21, 2010 | 2007009181101 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Dallas R. Seagraves, II | Disciplinary Decision |
Jun 24, 2015 | 20070092503-01 | Robin Maranda Oscher | Disciplinary Decision |
Apr 4, 2013 | 20070094013 | Extended Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Respondent | Redacted Decision |
Apr 14, 2010 | 2007009403801 | Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Stephen W. Wilson | Disciplinary Decision |