On June 4, 2018, Bradley E. Gardner accepted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he acknowledged that he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. According to FINRA, on June 2, 2017, Gardner accepted a personal check in the amount of $7,400 from one of his elderly customers. He allegedly told his client that she could pre-pay the fees associated with her advisory Firm accounts at a discount by writing a check payable to him, and that he would then “turn off” the fees associated with her accounts until March 2019. He then deposited the check into his personal bank account and used the funds to pay for his personal expenses. In the meantime, the firm continued to charge the client the fees associated with her advisory Firm accounts. Mr. Gardner’s misconduct was discovered in September 2017, at which time Mr. Gardner reimbursed the whole amount to his client.
By converting customer funds, Garner violated FINRA rules. Conversion is the intentional and unauthorized taking of an/or exercise of ownership over property by one who neither owns the property nor is entitled to possess it.
If you believe that you have suffered losses as a result of misconduct, you may contact David A. Weintraub, P.A. 7805 SW 6th Court, Plantation, FL 33324. By phone: 954.693.7577 or 800.718.1422.