FINRA

Without admitting or denying the findings, Barton consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he reused the signatures of 32 customers on a total of 48 documents, including the signatures of seven customers on twelve documents without the customers' prior permission. The findings stated that the documents, which included new account applications, money transfer forms, and securities purchase documents, were required books and records of the firm. All of the transactions were authorized and none of the customers complained. In addition, Barton altered six documents after they were signed by six different customers. Barton also falsely attested on annual compliance questionnaires that he had not signed or affixed another person's signature on a document.

Acceptance, Waiver & Consent(AWC)

Civil and Administrative Penalty(ies)/Fine(s)

$5,000.00

Suspension

All capacities

Four months

9/16/2024

1/15/2025

LPL FINANCIAL LLC

Discharged

Submitted account documents to Firm containing re-used customer signatures and modified documents after signed by customer.

CUSTOMER ALLEGES THAT MISREPRESENTATION AND NEGLIGENCE IN CONNECTION WITH SALE AND SERVICING OF HIS ING VARIABLE ANNUITY PURCHASED IN 2005 WITH AN INITIAL DEPOSIT OF $75,000.00. CUSTOMER UNDERSTOOD THAT VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT CARRIED A 7% LIVING BENEFIT RIDER, AND TOOK WITHDRAWLS FROM CONTRACT CONSISTENT WITH THAT UNDERSTANDING. CUSTOMER RECENTLY LEARNED THAT LIVING BENEFIT RIDER WAS NOT INCLUDED WITHIN HIS CONTRACT, AND HAS REQUESTED CORRECTION TO ADD RIDER RETROACTIVE TO ISSUANCE AND CREDIT FOR AMOUNTS WITHDRAWN.

$30,000.00

THIS MATER WAS RESOLVED WITHOUT ADMITTING LIABILITY FOR THE ALLEGATIONS, AND AS A CUSTOMER ACCOMODATION.