ARBchek - Arbitrator Research Base

1. Cao v. Edward Jones FINRA ID #24-02417 (Los Angeles, CA, 2026-03-02) – Despite the non-opposition of the customer involved and denying the authorized representative of the state securities regulator for California's Pre-Hearing Motion to Dismiss, a Panel explains in detail why it has decided to unanimously deny, with prejudice, Claimant's request for expungement of a complaint from his CRD record, finding that the event or occurrence giving rise to said complaint occurred more than 15 years prior to the filing of the Statement of Claim and is therefore barred under FINRA Rule 13206 (Six-year Eligibility Rule for Industry Disputes). Also, in an unprecedented move, the Panel directs the State Bar of California Office of Special Admissions/Specialization to review this proceeding and their allowance of out of state law firms to practice in California due to Claimant's former counsel's conduct in this matter.

2. Santiago v. Center Street FINRA ID #25-00645 (Boca Raton, FL, 2026-02-25) – After finding that they are in violation of the Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act, a Panel holds two non-appearing Respondents (broker-dealer and registered representative) liable to Claimant for over $2.5 million in damages relating to her allegations that not only did Respondent broker-dealer fail to supervise its agent but also, through said agent, placed in her several illiquid and unsuitable securities for her investment portfolio.

3. Galietto v. Credit Suisse FINRA ID #24-02527 (New York, NY, 2026-02-23) – A registered representative is awarded over $8.7 million in damages after the Panel found that Respondent broker-dealers acted in bad faith when they trusted a non-independently produced Investigative Report in order to scrap said registered representative's deferred compensation claim. One named Respondent broker-dealer loses its Counterclaim seeking to recoup alleged monies owed under a discretionary variable incentive award (Promissory Note).

4. Mercaldi v. Charles Schwab FINRA ID #25-02317 (Houston, TX, 2026-03-04) – In this small claims arbitration, a customer alleging that Respondent broker-dealer honored a fraudulent check that was written by a third-party against his account and despite being notified of the fraud it failed to reimburse him for his alleged losses loses his case.