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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
August 04, 2016 FPI160002 Robert DePalo Expedited Decision
August 03, 2016 2011025851501 APPEALED: KCD Financial, Inc. Disciplinary Decision
August 02, 2016 FPI160006 Dawn Bennett Expedited Decision
July 28, 2016 2013035817701 Protective Order Governing Personal Confidential Information Disciplinary Order
July 28, 2016 20120342425-01 Order Concerning Parties’ Motion for Leave to Present Expert Testimony Disciplinary Order
July 25, 2016 FR160001 Merriman Capital Inc. Expedited Decision
July 21, 2016 2010022601501 Jack Brian Weinstock Disciplinary Decision
July 20, 2016 2009020465801 APPEALED: Keith D. Geary Disciplinary Decision
July 20, 2016 SD-2044 Xavier Capdepon Statutory Disqualification, Denials
July 19, 2016 2011028502101 North Woodward Financial Corp. and Douglas A. Troszak Disciplinary Decision
July 18, 2016 2012033351801 Paolo Franca Iida Disciplinary Decision
July 18, 2016 2012034389202 APPEALED: Bernard G. McGee Disciplinary Decision
July 15, 2016 SD-2096 Louis A. Woolf with Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. Statutory Disqualification, Approvals
July 11, 2016 FPI160004 Fairbridge Capital Markets Expedited Decision
June 28, 2016 2013038418201 Joseph N. Barnes, Sr. Disciplinary Decision
June 17, 2016 SD-2026 RBS Securities, Inc. Statutory Disqualification
June 10, 2016 2011030293503 APPEALED: Richard Gomez Disciplinary Decision
June 08, 2016 SD-2088 James D. Goodland with Spire Securities LLC Statutory Disqualification, Approvals
June 03, 2016 2013035211801 APPEALED: David A. Elgart

Related Documents

Disciplinary Decision
June 03, 2016 2012030731802 APPEALED: William H. Murphy & Co., Inc. and William H. Murphy Disciplinary Decision
May 24, 2016 2014043020901 Order Ruling on Witness Objections Disciplinary Order
May 20, 2016 2013038333001 Order Denying Respondent’s Motion for Request for Documents and Information Disciplinary Order
May 20, 2016 SD-2027 APPEALED: Christopher Cota with Capital Financial Services, Inc. Statutory Disqualification, Denials
May 16, 2016 2010022977801 APPEALED: David B. Tysk Disciplinary Decision
May 09, 2016 SD-2069 APPEALED: Bruce Meyers with Meyers Associates, L.P. Statutory Disqualification, Denials