CFP Board Imposes Public Discipline

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) announced today public disciplinary actions against the following individuals, effective immediately or on the date noted in each case. Public disciplinary actions taken by CFP Board, in order of increasing severity, include letters of admonition, suspensions and permanent revocations.

This release contains information about disciplinary actions relating to 23 current or former CFP^® professionals. Of these actions, there were 5 letters of admonition, 11 suspensions, and 7 administrative revocations.

The basis for each decision can be found in a Disciplinary Action Report below and on CFP Board's website. The public may check on an individual's disciplinary history and certification status with CFP Board at www.CFP.net/verify.

CFP Board's enforcement process is a critical consumer protection. CFP^® professionals agree to abide by CFP Board's Standards of Professional Conduct (Standards), which includes the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility (Code of Ethics), Rules of Conduct and Financial Planning Practice Standards (Practice Standards). The Standards set forth the ethical standards for financial planners who hold the CFP^® certification.

CFP Board enforces its ethical standards by investigating incidents of alleged unethical behavior by CFP^® professionals. In cases where violations are found, the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) may impose discipline ranging from a private censure or public letter of admonition to the suspension or revocation of an individual's right to use the CFP^® marks. CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (Disciplinary Rules) set forth the process for investigating matters and imposing discipline where violations have been found.

The Commission meets at least three times a year to provide a fair, unbiased review of any matter in which a CFP^® professional is alleged to have committed violations of the Standards. 

The Commission functions in accordance with the Disciplinary Rules and reviews all matters on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the details specific to an individual case. While CFP Board has attempted to capture the details relevant to each decision, the summary nature of these releases may omit certain details affecting the decision. Accordingly, the decisions and/or rationale described in the releases may not apply to other cases reviewed by the Commission or reflect the Commission's future interpretation or application of the Standards.

PUBLIC LETTERS OF ADMONITION

ALABAMA

Charles J. McCarn (Birmingham):  In December 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) ordered that a Public Letter of Admonition be issued to Mr. McCarn. The Commission determined that Mr. McCarn filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in 1993 and again in 2016, which reflects adversely on Mr. McCarn's integrity and fitness as a certificant, on the CFP^® marks, and on the profession.  The Commission determined that Mr. McCarn's conduct violated Rule 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Article 3(A) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Accordingly, the Commission admonished Mr. McCarn with regard to the above-mentioned conduct.  Mr. McCarn administratively relinquished his CFP® certification in November 2016.

CALIFORNIA

Edward A. Rusowicz, CFP^® (Irvine): In November 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) accepted an offer of settlement wherein Mr. Rusowicz received a Public Letter of Admonition.  In the offer of settlement, Mr. Rusowicz consented to CFP Board's findings that he was convicted of Alcohol Related Reckless Driving in 2003 and Driving Under the Influence twice in 2015.  CFP Board determined that Mr. Rusowicz's conduct violated Rule 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A) and 3(C) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.  Accordingly, the Commission admonished Mr. Rusowicz with regard to the above-mentioned conduct.

COLORADO

Christopher S. Scott, CFP^® (Colorado Springs): In November 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) accepted an offer of settlement wherein Mr. Scott received a Public Letter of Admonition.  In the offer of settlement, Mr. Scott consented to CFP Board's findings that he entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA), in which he consented to the entry of FINRA's findings that he borrowed $10,000 from a family trust, for which he was co-trustee, one of several beneficiaries, and the registered representative, in violation of his firm's rules.  Mr. Scott consented to a 15-day suspension from association with any FINRA member in any capacity and a $5,000 fine. CFP Board determined that Mr. Scott's conduct violated Rules 1.4, 3.6, 4.3 and 5.1 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A) and 3(D) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Accordingly, the Commission admonished Mr. Scott with regard to the above-mentioned conduct.

GEORGIA

Brian Sullivan, CFP^® (Alpharetta): In November 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) accepted an offer of settlement wherein Mr. Sullivan received a Public Letter of Admonition.  In the offer of settlement, Mr. Sullivan consented to CFP Board's findings that he: 1) signed a client's signature on account documentation in 2010; and 2) failed to disclose a termination and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. investigation on his 2012, 2014, and 2016 CFP Board Ethics Declaration.  CFP Board determined that Mr. Sullivan's conduct violated Rules 5.1 and 6.2 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Article 3(A) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Accordingly, the Commission admonished Mr. Sullivan with regard to the above-mentioned conduct.

WISCONSIN

Scott A. Larsen, CFP^® (Kenosha): In February 2017, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission accepted an offer of settlement wherein Mr. Larsen received a Public Letter of Admonition.  In the offer of settlement, Mr. Larsen consented to CFP Board's findings that he drove the wrong way on the highway after consuming alcohol.  Mr. Larsen pleaded no contest and was convicted of Recklessly Endangering Safety, a Class G felony.  CFP Board determined that Mr. Larsen's conduct violated Rule 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A) and 3(C) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.  Accordingly, the Commission admonished Mr. Larsen with regard to the above-mentioned conduct. 

SUSPENSIONS

ARKANSAS

Adam J. Kuettel (Bentonville): In February 2017, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission accepted an offer of settlement wherein Mr. Kuettel received a 10-month suspension of his CFP^® certification.  In the offer of settlement, Mr. Kuettel consented to CFP Board's findings that he assisted investors with the purchase of shares of stock and warrants in a public company through a private investment in public equity.  Mr. Kuettel assisted investors with their purchases by researching and sharing information about the transaction, answering investor questions, making recommendations regarding the investment and transmitting paperwork to and from the investors.  As a result of this conduct, Mr. Kuettel entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). FINRA suspended Mr. Kuettel from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for 10 months and fined him $10,000.  CFP Board also determined that Mr. Kuettel failed to disclose the suspension by FINRA to CFP Board within the required timeframe.  CFP Board determined that Mr. Kuettel's conduct violated Rule 4.3 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A), 3(D), and 3(E) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Mr. Kuettel's suspension is effective from February 28, 2017 until December 28, 2017.

CALIFORNIA

W. Jon Bettis (Carlsbad): In October 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) issued an order suspending Mr. Bettis' CFP^® certification for three years and six months or until Mr. Bettis' satisfaction of a court order by making full payment of a court-ordered judgment, whichever occurs first.  The Commission issued its order after finding that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) suspended Mr. Bettis from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for failure to comply with an arbitration award and to satisfactorily respond to a FINRA request for information concerning the status of a compliance issue. Mr. Bettis also failed to report his FINRA suspension to CFP Board within the required timeframe, failed to disclose his professional license suspension on two separate CFP^® certification renewal applications and failed to respond to multiple requests for information by CFP Board.  The Commission determined that Mr. Bettis conduct violated Rule 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A), 3(D), 3(E), 3(F), and 3(G) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Mr. Bettis suspension became effective on December 31, 2016.

Amy Sam Ho (Arcadia): In March 2017, CFP Board issued Ms. Ho an automatic interim suspension of her CFP^® certification. CFP Board issued the interim suspension after discovering that Ms. Ho was convicted of two felony counts:  Second-Degree Murder and Dependent Adult Abuse Causing Death on July 8, 2016. On December 16, 2016, Ms. Ho was sentenced to prison for a term of 15 years to life. Pursuant to Article 5.7 of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures, "[a]n interim suspension shall immediately be issued without a hearing when CFP Board Counsel receives evidence of a conviction…in accordance with Article 13.1 for…felony conviction of any crime." Under the interim suspension order, Ms. Ho's right to use the CFP^® certification marks is suspended pending CFP Board's completed investigation and possible further disciplinary proceedings. The interim suspension order became effective on March 13, 2017. 

FLORIDA

Bruce M. Weinstein (Boca Raton): In December 2016, CFP Board issued Mr. Weinstein an automatic interim suspension of his CFP^® certification.  CFP Board issued the interim suspension after discovering that Mr. Weinstein entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA), in which he consented to FINRA's findings that he knowingly submitted false expense reports to his firm and accepted reimbursements on ineligible expenses.  Mr. Weinstein consented to a permanent bar from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Pursuant to Article 5.7 of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures, "[a]n interim suspension shall immediately be issued without a hearing when CFP Board Counsel receives evidence of a conviction or a professional discipline in accordance with Article 13.1 for…revocation of a financial professional license (securities, insurance, accounting or bank-related license)." Under the interim suspension order, Mr. Weinstein's right to use the CFP^® certification marks is suspended pending CFP Board's completed investigation and possible further disciplinary proceedings. The interim suspension order became effective on December 21, 2016.

KENTUCKY

Hampton Scurlock, III (Lexington): In August 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) issued an order suspending Mr. Scurlock's CFP^® certification for two years.  The Commission issued its order after finding that Mr. Scurlock entered into a "finders' agreement" with a bond issuer, pursuant to which he would be paid a 5 percent commission.  The bond issuer would ultimately pay at least a portion of the commissions to Mr. Scurlock's firm rather than Mr. Scurlock himself.  As a result of this conduct, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission determined that Mr. Scurlock and his firm violated Section 15(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by effecting transactions in securities without registering as a broker or dealer.  In addition, Mr. Scurlock violated his fiduciary obligations to clients when he failed to disclose material information about the bond issuer's financial circumstances to his clients.  Finally, the Commission determined that Mr. Scurlock failed to respond to two requests for information made by CFP Board staff.  The Commission determined that Mr. Scurlock's conduct violated Rules 1.4 and 4.3 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A) and 3(F) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Mr. Scurlock's suspension is effective from October 4, 2016 until October 4, 2018.

MINNESOTA

Daniel M. Myers (Woodbury): In August 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) issued an order suspending Mr. Myers' CFP^® certification for two years. In reaching its decision, the Commission found that Mr. Myers was convicted of Driving While Intoxicated once in 2003, twice in 2008 and once in 2014, which reflected adversely on his integrity and fitness as a CFP^® professional, upon the CFP^® marks and upon the profession.  The Commission determined that Mr. Myers' conduct violated Rule 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A) and 3(C) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Mr. Myers' suspension is effective from October 4, 2016 until October 4, 2018.

MISSOURI

Sheldon Jay Harber (St. Louis): In February 2017, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) accepted an offer of settlement wherein Mr. Harber agreed to a five-month suspension of his CFP^® certification.  In the offer of settlement, Mr. Harber consented to CFP Board's findings that he participated in private securities transactions by investing, and facilitating investments by six other investors, in a company through an outside investment vehicle without providing written notice to, or receiving approval from, his firm.  As a result of Mr. Harber's conduct, he entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA), which imposed a four-month suspension from association with any FINRA member in any capacity and a $10,000 fine.  CFP Board also determined that Mr. Harber failed to disclose the suspension by FINRA to CFP Board within the required timeframe and made false statements to CFP Board regarding the FINRA suspension and a termination by his firm on his CFP Board Ethics Declaration.  CFP Board determined that Mr. Harber's conduct violated Rules 4.3 and 5.1 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A), 3(D), 3(E) and 3(G) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.  Mr. Harber's suspension is effective from February 28, 2017 until July 28, 2017.

NEW JERSEY

Brian P. Carr (Chatham): In August 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) issued an order retroactively suspending Mr. Carr's CFP^® certification for five years.  In reaching its decision, the Commission found that Mr. Carr was the subject of a New Jersey Administrative Consent Order, which concluded that he violated New Jersey law when he defrauded investors, made materially false and misleading statements and/or omissions, engaged in a course of business that led to fraud and/or deceit upon investors, unlawfully acted as an agent in representing his firm in conducting transactions while not being registered in New Jersey and sold unregistered securities. Mr. Carr was also the subject of an order from the Arkansas Securities Commissioner revoking his firm's investment advisor registration and fining his firm $30,000 in connection with the offer and sale of unregistered, non-exempt securities. The North Carolina Securities Division also issued a temporary order requiring Mr. Carr's firm to cease and desist from selling securities until properly registered. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) suspended Mr. Carr from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for failure to comply with an arbitration award or settlement agreement or to satisfactorily respond to a FINRA request to provide information concerning the status of compliance.  Mr. Carr failed to disclose the FINRA suspension to CFP Board within the required timeframe.  The Commission noted that Mr. Carr did not act with intent to defraud his clients and had undertaken diligent efforts to recover client funds.  The Commission determined that Mr. Carr's conduct violated Rules 102, 201, 606(a) and 607 of CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Rules 1.4, 2.1, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct, providing grounds for discipline pursuant to Article 3(A) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Mr. Carr's suspension is retroactively effective from October 4, 2013 until October 4, 2018.

PENNSYLVANIA

Theodore P. Williams (East Earl): In August 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) issued an order suspending Mr. Williams' CFP^® certification for one year and one day. The Commission found that Mr. Williams failed to act in a client's interest when he recommended and sold her unsuitable variable universal life insurance, variable annuities and real estate investment trusts and placed a bulk of the client's assets into long-term investments with high fees and expenses when the client's primary objective was income.  Mr. Williams made these recommendations when he knew the client's primary objective was income and that the client had a negative monthly discretionary income.  The Commission determined that there was no evidence to indicate Mr. Williams discussed with the client how her negative monthly discretionary income would impact her ability to purchase illiquid investments.  The Commission determined that Mr. Williams' conduct violated Rules 201, 202, 701 and 703 of CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Practice Standards 200-1, 300-1, 400-3 and 500-2, providing grounds for discipline pursuant to Articles 3(A) and 3(B) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures. Mr. Williams' suspension is effective from October 4, 2016 until October 5, 2017.

OHIO

Douglas S. Miller (Toledo):  In February 2017, CFP Board issued Mr. Miller an automatic interim suspension of his right to use the CFP^® certification.  CFP Board issued an interim suspension after discovering that Mr. Miller entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA), in which he consented to FINRA's findings that he participated in the sale of investments in limited liability companies to clients without providing written notice to his firm, failed to disclose to the firm that he received compensation from the limited liability companies for advising the companies, and failed to appropriately disclose to the firm investments he made personally or on behalf of family members in the limited liability company.  Mr. Miller consented to a permanent bar from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Pursuant to Article 5.7 of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures, "[a]n interim suspension shall immediately be issued without a hearing when CFP Board Counsel receives evidence of a conviction or a professional discipline in accordance with Article 13.1 for…revocation of a financial professional license (securities, insurance, accounting or bank-related license)." Under the interim suspension order, Mr. Miller's right to use the CFP^® certification marks is suspended pending CFP Board's completed investigation and possible further disciplinary proceedings. The interim suspension order became effective on February 16, 2017. 

WASHINGTON

William M. Swayne, II (Seattle): In December 2016, CFP Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (Commission) issued an order suspending Mr. Swayne's CFP^® certification for one year.  The Commission found that Mr. Swayne worked with several clients who came to him with highly concentrated portfolios of low-basis real estate investments.  While Mr. Swayne effectively used tenancy-in-common investments to diversify the client's real estate portfolio, he recommended and sold the clients alternative investments that were unsuitable because of the clients' ages, risk tolerances, and investment objectives and because the investments resulted in an unsuitable concentration of the clients' assets in alternative investments.  The Commission determined that Mr. Swayne violated Rules 201, 202, 606(a), and 703 of the Code of Ethics and Financial Planning Practice Standards 300-1 and 500-2, providing grounds for discipline under Articles 3(A) and (B) of the Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.  Mr. Swayne's suspension is effective from February 7, 2017 until February 7, 2018. 

ADMINISTRATIVE REVOCATIONS

CALIFORNIA

Tiffany Peacock Asakawa (Huntington Beach): In November 2016, CFP Board issued an order permanently revoking Ms. Asakawa's right to use the CFP^® certification marks.  This discipline followed Ms. Asakawa's failure to file an answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe.  CFP Board's Complaint alleged, among other things, that Ms. Asakawa: 1) engaged in excessive trading, unsuitable trading, unauthorized trading and misrepresentation and omissions of materials facts in multiple client accounts; 2) entered 22 inaccurate trade orders; 3) executed at least 200 discretionary trades in two customer accounts without prior written authorization from the customers or written approval from her firm; 4) falsely represented to her firm in four annual compliance questionnaires that she had not entered trades in customer accounts on a discretionary basis; 5) knowingly attempted to place trades for clients in a state in which she was not registered to do so by using the representative number of another individual licensed in the state; 6) failed to pay an arbitration award; and 7) failed to respond to multiple requests by CFP Board staff to produce documents and information.  CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Ms. Asakawa's conduct violated Rules 102 and 606(b) of CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Rules 4.3, 5.1, and 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct, providing grounds for discipline under Articles 3(A), 3(D) and 3(F) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (Disciplinary Rules).  Ms. Asakawa failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 20 calendar days of the date of service, as required by Article 7.3 of Disciplinary Rules.  In accordance with Article 7.4 of the Disciplinary Rules, the allegations set forth in the Complaint were deemed admitted, and CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Ms. Asakawa's revocation was effective as of December 8, 2016.

Eric W. Kuchel (Brea): In November 2016, CFP Board issued an order permanently revoking Mr. Kuchel's right to use the CFP^® certification marks. This discipline followed Mr. Kuchel's failure to file an answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe. CFP Board's Complaint alleged, among other things, that Mr. Kuchel was the subject of a Default Decision from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) in connection with his failure to appear for testimony during FINRA's investigation surrounding various mutual fund transactions at Mr. Kuchel's broker-dealer. FINRA's Default Decision permanently barred him from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. CFP Board's Complaint also alleged that Mr. Kuchel failed to cooperate with CFP Board's investigation. CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Kuchel's conduct violated Rules 4.3, 5.1, 6.1 and 6.3 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline under Articles 3(A) and 3(D) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (Disciplinary Rules).  Mr. Kuchel failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 20 calendar days of the date of service, as required by Article 7.3 of Disciplinary Rules.  In accordance with Article 7.4 of the Disciplinary Rules, the allegations set forth in the Complaint were deemed admitted, and CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Kuchel's revocation was effective as of December 5, 2016.

FLORIDA

Stuart Horowitz (Coral Springs): In November 2016, CFP Board issued an order permanently revoking Mr. Horowitz's right to use the CFP^® certification marks. This discipline followed Mr. Horowitz's failure to file an answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe. CFP Board's Complaint alleged, among other things, that Mr. Horowitz entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) in which he consented to a one-year suspension from association with any FINRA member in any capacity and a $10,000 fine.  FINRA determined that Mr. Horowitz recommended that clients convert real estate-backed limited partnership units to preferred notes at a time when he had no reasonable basis to believe the preferred notes were suitable for the clients based on the information he knew about the client's investment objectives, risk tolerance, investment experience, and financial status.  CFP Board's Complaint also alleged that Mr. Horowitz sent a misleading email to clients in which he recommended the clients convert to preferred notes at a time when he should have known the preferred notes were not a viable investment because of numerous red flags about the issuer.  The Complaint further alleged that Mr. Horowitz failed to provide adequate responses to requests by CFP Board staff.  CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Horowitz's conduct violated Rules 1.4, 2.1, 4.3, and 4.5 of the Rules of Conduct and Financial Planning Practice Standards 500-2, providing grounds for discipline under Articles 3(A), 3(B), 3(D) and 3(F) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (Disciplinary Rules).  Mr. Horowitz failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 20 calendar days of the date of service, as required by Article 7.3 of Disciplinary Rules.  In accordance with Article 7.4 of the Disciplinary Rules, the allegations set forth in the Complaint were deemed admitted, and CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Horowitz's revocation was effective as of December 7, 2016.

Andrew G. Rosenberg (Weston): In November 2016, CFP Board issued an order permanently revoking Mr. Rosenberg's right to use the CFP^® certification marks.  This discipline followed Mr. Rosenberg's failure to file an answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe. CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Rosenberg entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) in which he consented to a three-month suspension from association with any FINRA member in any capacity and a $10,000 fine.  FINRA determined that Mr. Rosenberg failed to disclose to investors in a security and to his firm that he was providing legal services for compensation to the issuer of the securities.  In addition, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation denied Mr. Rosenberg's Investment Advisor Application based on the findings in FINRA's AWC.  CFP Board's Complaint further alleged that Mr. Rosenberg was the subject of multiple FINRA arbitrations in which he was alleged to have: 1) made multiple misrepresentations to clients; 2) recommended and sold unsuitable investments to clients; 3) failed to undertake reasonable investigation of financial products he recommended to clients; 4) failed to disclose the risks of investments to clients; and 5) failed to disclose material information to clients.  CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Rosenberg's conduct violated Rules 102, 202, 401(a), 606(a), 703 and 704 of CFP Board's Code of Ethics, Rules 1.4, 2.1, 4.5 and 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and Financial Planning Practice Standard 500-2, providing grounds for discipline under Articles 3(A), 3(B) and 3(D) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (Disciplinary Rules).  Mr. Rosenberg failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 20 calendar days of the date of service, as required by Article 7.3 of Disciplinary Rules.  In accordance with Article 7.4 of the Disciplinary Rules, the allegations set forth in the Complaint were deemed admitted, and CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Rosenberg's revocation was effective as of December 7, 2016.

MARYLAND

Sharon J. Fall (Chester): In October 2016, CFP Board issued an order permanently revoking Ms. Fall's right to use the CFP^® certification marks. This discipline followed Ms. Fall's failure to file an answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe. CFP Board's Complaint alleged that: 1) Ms. Fall's firm terminated her for borrowing money from clients in violation of firm policy; 2) Ms. Fall failed to disclose the termination on her CFP^® Certification Renewal Application; 3) Ms. Fall's subsequent firm terminated her for communicating with clients before her registration was approved, in violation of firm policy; 4) the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) permanently barred Ms. Fall from association with any FINRA member in any capacity because she failed to provide testimony in connection with her termination for borrowing money from clients; 5) Ms. Fall failed to respond to a request by CFP Board staff to produce documents and information; and 6) Ms. Fall failed to disclose the FINRA bar to CFP Board within the required timeframe. The Complaint alleged that Ms. Fall's conduct violated Rules 3.6, 4.3, 5.1, and 6.5 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct and provided grounds for discipline under Articles 3(A), 3(D), 3(E), 3(F), and 3(G) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (Disciplinary Rules). Ms. Fall failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 20 calendar days of the date of service, as required by Article 7.3 of the Disciplinary Rules.  In accordance with Article 7.4 of the Disciplinary Rules, the allegations set forth in the Complaint were deemed admitted, and CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Ms. Fall's revocation was effective as of November 11, 2016.

Cory D. Williams (Monkton): In November 2016, CFP Board issued an order permanently revoking Mr. Williams' right to use the CFP^® certification marks. This discipline followed Mr. Williams' failure to file an answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe.  CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Williams was the subject of an order from the United States Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) ordering him to cease and desist from causing further violations of the Adviser's Act, barring him from association from any broker-dealer or investment adviser and ordering him to pay $94,191 in fines plus $9,854 in interest.  The SEC order resulted from Mr. Williams' conduct where he assisted a partner with managing firm advisory client portfolios, which included client investments in a security that was not approved for sale by his firm.  Despite this, Mr. Williams accepted undisclosed fees from the security issuer.  CFP Board's Complaint also alleged Mr. Williams entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA), in which FINRA barred Mr. Williams from association with any FINRA member in any capacity because Mr. Williams: 1) participated in the private securities transactions that were the subject of the SEC order; 2) willfully failed to disclose tax liens on his Form U4; and 3) made false statements to his firm regarding the existence of his tax liens.  The Complaint further alleged Mr. Williams failed to cooperate with CFP Board's requests for information during the course of its investigation. CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Williams' conduct violated Rules 102, 201, and 401 of CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Rules 1.4, 2.1, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 5.1 and 6.1 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct, providing grounds for discipline under Articles 3(A) and 3(D) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (Disciplinary Rules).  Mr. Williams failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 20 calendar days of the date of service, as required by Article 7.3 of the Disciplinary Rules. In accordance with Article 7.4 of the Disciplinary Rules, the allegations set forth in the Complaint were deemed admitted, and CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Williams' revocation was effective as of December 14, 2016.

UTAH

Laurence D. Black (Park City): In October 2016, CFP Board issued an order permanently revoking Mr. Black's right to use the CFP^® certification marks. This discipline followed Mr. Black's failure to file an answer to CFP Board's Complaint within the required timeframe.  CFP Board's Complaint alleged that Mr. Black failed to state material facts to clients when he failed to disclose that he associated with an individual who was barred by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) due to felony securities fraud convictions. The association with the individual barred by the SEC was a violation of state law.  CFP Board's Complaint also alleged Mr. Black failed to: 1) update and provide his Form ADV Part 2 and Brochure Supplement to clients; 2) keep proper records of cash receipts and disbursements, securities transaction orders, client correspondence, litigation and complaint files, and marketing and advertising files; 3) maintain complaint and up-to-date client files; 4) maintain surety bond or minimum escrow account values at all times; 5) have policies and procedures and code of ethics documents; and 6) maintain general and auxiliary ledgers reflecting asset liability, reserve, capital, income, and expense accounts.  CFP Board's Complaint further alleged Mr. Black failed to cooperate with CFP Board's investigation and requests for information.  CFP Board's Complaint alleged Mr. Black's conduct violated Rules 2.1, 4.3 and 6.1 of CFP Board's Rules of Conduct, providing grounds for discipline under Articles 3(A) of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (Disciplinary Rules). Mr. Black failed to file an Answer to CFP Board's Complaint within 20 calendar days of the date of service, as required by Article 7.3 of CFP Board's Disciplinary Rules. In accordance with Article 7.4 of the Disciplinary Rules, the allegations set forth in the Complaint were deemed admitted, and CFP Board issued an Administrative Order of Revocation. Mr. Black's revocation was effective as of November 11, 2016.

ABOUT CFP BOARD
The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP^® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning. The Board of Directors, in furthering CFP Board's mission, acts on behalf of the public, CFP^® professionals and other stakeholders. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP^®, Certified Financial Planner™, CFP^® (with plaque design) and CFP^® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.  CFP Board currently authorizes more than 76,000 individuals to use these marks in the U.S.

SOURCE Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

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