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The representative was previously registered both as an investment adviser and as a broker. Visit BrokerCheck for more information on this individual's Broker record. Go to BrokerCheck Site
CLAIMANT ALLEGES EXCESSIVE TRADING IN HER
ACCOUNT AND SOUGHT $150,000 IN COMPENSATORY DAMAGES.
Damage Amount Requested
$150,000.00
Settlement Amount
$53,000.00
Broker Comment
SETTLED FOR $53,000
MERRILL LYNCH AND MR PLAUS DENIED THE CLAIM IN
ITS ENTIRETY. CUSTOMER WAS AN AVID KNOWLEDGEABLE TRADER WHO
PURSED HER OWN UNPROFITABLE STRATEGY IN SPITE OF REGULAR
CONTRACT WITH HER FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS WHOSE ADVICE CUSTOMER
IGNORED. MR PLAUS WAS THE EIGHTH FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS USED BY
CUSTOMER AND PART OF A TEAM; HIS PARTNER WAS THE PRIMARY
CONTACT IN THIS RELA TIONSHIP. DURING HIS TENURE AS FINANCIAL
CONSULTANT, THERE WERE ONLY LIGUIDATING TRANSACTIONS IN CUSTOMER'S ACCOUNT. MERRILL LYNCH REACHED THE BUSINESS DECISION
TO SETTLE THIS MATTER RATHER THAN INCUR THE BUSINESS EXPENSE OF
EIGHT EMPLOYEES ATTENDING AT LEAST A 5 DAY HEARING. MR PLAUS
WAS NOT ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SETTLEMENT AMOUNT.
License(s)
The broker is not currently registered with any state or SRO.
A brokerage firm, also called a broker-dealer, is in the business of buying and selling securities – stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and certain other investment products – on behalf of its customer (as broker), for its own bank (dealer), or both. Individuals who work for broker-dealers - the sales personnel are commonly referred to as brokers.
IA
Investment Adviser
An investment adviser is paid for providing advice about securities to clients. In addition, some investment advisers manage investment portfolios and offer financial planning services.
Disclosures
Disclosures can be customer complaints or arbitrations, regulatory actions, employment terminations, bankruptcy filings and certain civil or criminal proceedings that they were a part of.
Disclosures can be customer complaints or arbitrations, regulatory actions, employment terminations, bankruptcy filings and certain civil or criminal proceedings that they were a part of.