October 2021 FINRA Disciplinary Actions
COURTNEY MICHELLE KAPLAN (CRD #5249375, PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA)
September 30, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Kaplan was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Kaplan consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that she refused to provide documents and information as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Kaplan was under investigation regarding allegations made by the daughter of a former client that Kaplan had borrowed money from the client and that Kaplan and her husband were beneficiaries under the client’s will when she refused to provide documentation. (FINRA Case #2021071439701)
DEBORAH LYNN HERRMANN (CRD #5204514, WHEATON, ILLINOIS)
September 30, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Herrmann was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Herrmann consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that she refused to provide documents and information as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Herrmann was under investigation regarding claims made in a U5 filed by her former member firm that she failed to report and amend a civil litigation matter on the Form U4 in a timely fashion and failed to disclose a personal investment to the firm when she refused to provide documentation. (FINRA Case #2021070377701)
LEE VICTOR NORDSTROM (CRD #2248261, SPOKANE, WASHINGTON)
October 1, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Nordstrom was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Nordstrom consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide on-the-record testimony as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Nordstrom was under investigation regarding claims made in a U5 filed by his former member firm that he engaged in potential unsuitable and excessive trading in several customer accounts when he refused to appear. (FINRA Case #2020065149801)
JEFFREY DAMPF (CRD #5676205, TOTOWA, NEW JERSEY)
October 1, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Dampf was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Dampf consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide on-the-record testimony as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Dampf was under investigation regarding claims made in a U5 filed by his former member firm that he misappropriated funds from elderly individuals when he refused to appear. (FINRA Case #2021072405501)
JENNIFER ANN AYERS (CRD #6599784, TOTOWA, NEW JERSEY)
October 8, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Ayers was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Ayers consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that she refused to provide on-the-record testimony as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Ayers was under investigation regarding claims made in a U5 filed by her former member firm that she involved an unregistered person in activities that require registration when she refused to appear. (FINRA Case #2019064729702)
ERIC SHEA HOLLIFIELD (CRD #3091319, DACULA, GEORGIA)
October 7, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Hollifield was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Hollifield consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide on-the-record testimony, documents, or information as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Hollifield was under investigation regarding claims made in a U5 filed by his former member firm that he converted funds from an elderly customer when he refused to cooperate. (FINRA Case #2021072558701)
YOANDRA LOPEZ (CRD #6902387, MIAMI, FLORIDA)
October 12, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Lopez was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Lopez consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that she refused to provide on-the-record testimony as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Lopez was under investigation regarding claims made in a U5 filed by her former member firm that she resigned when the firm confronted her about her receipt of a Small Business Administration loan that was unrelated to the firm, implying that she had outside business interests that she had not shared with the firm. (FINRA Case #2020068623601)
EDGAR A. KLEYDMAN (CRD #2727571, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK)
October 14, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Kleydman was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Kleydman consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide on-the-record testimony as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Kleydman was under investigation regarding a customer complaint alleging that he engaged in private securities transactions without providing written notice to his member firm when he refused to cooperate. (FINRA Case #2019064101401)
JAMIE JOHN WORDEN (CRD #4637404, NEW YORK, NEW YORK)
October 14, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Worden was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Worden consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide documents and information as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Worden was under investigation regarding claims that he had engaged in private placement offerings of “pre-IPO” securities sold through his member firm when he refused to cooperate. (FINRA Case #2019064746501)
GLENN EDWARD BRANDON JR. (CRD #1051682, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA)
October 15, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Brandon was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Brandon consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide documents and information as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Brandon was under investigation regarding claims made in a U5 filed by his former member firm that he had engaged outside business activities that were not disclosed to or approved by the firm when he refused to cooperate. (FINRA Case #2021070227901)
MICHAEL JAMES CONTE (CRD #2646071, NEW YORK, NEW YORK)
October 18, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Conte was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Conte consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide on-the-record testimony as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Conte was under investigation regarding potential misrepresentations made in the participation in and supervision of the sale of multiple private offerings of bonds when he refused to appear. (FINRA Case #2018059545602)
MANUEL FRANCISCO PINAZO (CRD #5398494, MIAMI, FLORIDA)
October 26, 2021 – An AWC was issued in which Pinazo was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities. Without admitting or denying the findings, Pinazo consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to appear for on-the-record testimony as requested by FINRA. The findings stated that Pinazo was under investigation regarding claims made in a U5 filed by his former member firm that he had improperly applied for and received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan when he refused to appear. (FINRA Case #2020068637101)