FINRA Disciplinary Actions January 2021
DUSTIN PAUL SCHAFER (CRD #4198962, NEW YORK, NEW YORK)
January 7, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Schafer was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Schafer consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to appear for on-the-record testimony requested by FINRA during the course of an investigation that began after it learned of allegations that Schafer borrowed money from a customer. The findings stated that Schafer was terminated by his firm because he contradicted firm policies by borrowing money from a pre-existing customer without firm pre-approval. (FINRA Case #2020068114401)
JONATHAN H. DUDLEY (CRD #5413469, ATLANTA, GEORGIA)
January 11, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Dudley was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Dudley consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide documents and information or appear for on-the-record testimony requested by FINRA during the course of an investigation into allegations that Dudley converted funds from and participated in undisclosed outside business activities with his firm customer. The findings stated that Dudley resigned from his firm after allegedly converting funds for furthering a joint venture with a firm customer without notifying his firm. (FINRA Case #2019062425701)
CHRISTOPHER BRYAN BLACK (CRD #5049080, STATESBORO, GEORGIA)
January 12, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Black was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Black consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide information and documents requested by FINRA regarding allegations that he entered undisclosed loan arrangements with a customer. The findings stated that Black was terminated by his firm for failing to provide notice about entering a loan arrangement with a customer, and then proceeding to fail to cooperate with FINRA’s investigation. (FINRA Case #2020066650101)
RYAN ASHLEY RASKIN (CRD #5539610, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA)
January 13, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Raskin was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Raskin consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide information and documents requested by FINRA regarding allegations that he had provided inappropriate investment recommendations. The findings stated that Raskin was terminated by his firm because he allegedly conducted business practices inconsistent with the firm’s standards and recommended investments that were not appropriate for his customers. (FINRA Case #2020066135901)
STEPHEN ROBERT LUFTSCHEIN (CRD #2690117, HUNTINGTON, NEW YORK)
January 13, 2021 – An Order of Acceptance was issued in which Luftschein was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Luftschein consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he churned and excessively traded the accounts of three of his customers between the years of 2014 and 2016. Furthermore, he executed 88 trades without these three clients’ prior authorization. The findings stated that Luftschein’s churning and excessive trading caused combined losses of more than $261,000 for the three clients combined. These trades generated approximately $136,200 in sales credits and commissions, of which Luftschein received a substantial percentage. (FINRA Case #2016051704303)
BRYCE R SCARFONE (CRD#: 6720620, NEW YORK, NEW YORK)
January 15, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Scarfone was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Scarfone consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he altered a payroll check issues to his roommate and deposited it in his personal bank account, converting funds in violation of FINRA regulations. The findings stated that FINRA was notified of Scarfone’s alleged misconduct through a U5 issued by his firm, outlining Scarfone’s fraudulent check deposit. Scarfone proceeded to disregard FINRA representatives’ attempts to request further information, and the following investigation took place without his cooperation. (FINRA Case #2019061645502)
GARY WAYNE HAMMOND (CRD #2660432, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA)
January 19, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Hammond was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Hammond consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he participated in at least 14 private securities transactions without providing his firm with written notice. The findings stated that Hammond participated in private securities transactions with three limited liability companies controlled by his half-brother, with transactions totaling $1,638,000. Hammond also referred ten customers to two of these companies, which turned out to be Ponzi schemes leading to the loss of $1,019,000. Finally, Hammond actively, falsely answered questions regarding whether he was active in private securities transactions outside of the firm. (FINRA Case #2017054137002)
JAVELIN MIKOL SAN NICOLAS (CRD #6722186, SPARKS, NEVADA)
January 19, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which San Nikolas was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, San Nikolas consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide information and documents requested by FINRA regarding allegations that he had failed to appropriately handle client-owned cashiers’ checks. The findings stated that San Nikolas was terminated by his firm because he allegedly failed to use a client’s cashiers’ checks to purchase Personal Seat Licenses for a football team as ordered. (FINRA Case #2020067455201)
BRYAN GABRIEL MAZLIACH (CRD #5518438, FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA)
January 20, 2021 – An OHO decision became final in which Mazliach was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. The sanction was based on findings that Mazliach recommended and effected an unsuitable investment strategy to five customers involving in-and-out, short-term, and excessive trading and executed unauthorized trades in the accounts of eight customer. The findings stated that Mazliach also failed to provide documents and information requested by FINRA. (FINRA Case #2016051583101)
CHARLES ERNEST KENAHAN (CRD #1351974, BOSTON, MASSACHUSSETS)
January 22, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Kenahan was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Kenahan consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide information and documents requested by FINRA regarding a U5 filed by his firm terminating his registration on grounds of loss of trust and confidence related to the servicing of client accounts. The findings stated that Kenahan ceased to cooperate with FINRA’s investigations in January of 2021 by refusing to produce information or documents requested or appear for on-the-record testimony. (FINRA Case #2018058015701)
DAVID ARTHUR JENSON (CRD #1333734, AMARILLO, TEXAS)
January 22, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Jenson was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Jenson consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide information and documents requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Jenson explicitly refused to provide further information regarding allegations that he had recommended customers invest in an unsuitable concentration of church bonds. (FINRA Case #2019060783601)
TYLER DEAN DELAHUNT (CRD #4419594, ATLANTA, GEORGIA)
January 25, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Delahunt was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Delahunt consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide information and documents requested by FINRA. The findings stated that FINRA was notified of Delahunt’s alleged misconduct through a U5 issued by his firm, alleging that he had participated in private securities transactions with clients without prior approval from the firm and improperly accepted funds from clients without firm approval. Delahunt then refused to cooperate with FINRA investigations. (FINRA Case #2020067348701)