Gana Weinstein LLP, a nationally recognized securities arbitration boutique, is investigating Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. (“BFE”) in connection with the firm’s supervision of its former registered representative Aon D. Miller.
From November 2011 through September 2012, it is alleged that Aon D. Miller, participated in five different securities transactions with three different entities in which four of his customers invested a total of approximately $1,550,000. According to FINRA, who is also investigating Mr. Miller, he failed to inform Benjamin F. Edwards of his outside business activities as he was required to do. Aon Miller allegedly participated in three separate entities outside of his employment with Benjamin F. Edwards. The three entities at issue are: i) CDP, a real estate development company; KBI, a specialty chemical company, and iii) CTL, a company that refinanced senior secured debt.
According to FINRA, the above mentioned transactions resulted in a violation of FINRA Rule 2010 and and selling away, a violation of FINRA Rule 3040. FINRA Rule 2010 states in relevant part that “A member, in the conduct of its business, shall observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.” FINRA Rule 3040 states in relevant part that “prior to participating in any private securities transaction, an associated person shall provide written notice to the member with which he is associated describing in detail the proposed transaction and the person’s proposed role therein…”