Brett Allen Rutherford, of Morehead City, North Carolina, a stockbroker previously registered with Capital Investment Group Inc., has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity by FINRA because Rutherford failed to provide documents and information during a regulatory investigation. Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No. 2024084337101 (February 28, 2025).
According to the AWC, FINRA launched an investigation into Rutherford because of a customer arbitration case. As part of the investigation, on January 13, 2025, FINRA issued a formal request under FINRA Rule 8210, which requires that stockbrokers under FINRA’s jurisdiction must supply information when requested as part of an investigation. Rutherford received this request but indicated during a phone conversation with FINRA on February 21, 2025, that he would not provide the requested documents or information.
By refusing to comply with FINRA’s Rule 8210 request, Rutherford violated both FINRA Rule 8210 and Rule 2010, which require compliance with ethical standards in the securities industry.
FINRA Public Disclosure also shows that Rutherford is referenced in five customer initiated investment related disputes concerning Rutherford’s conduct while associated with securities broker dealers. On July 21, 2022, a customer filed an investment related complaint involving Rutherford’s conduct in which the customer requested $100,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Rutherford made the unsuitable investment recommendation of direct investments when Rutherford was associated with Capital Investment Group Inc. This complaint was closed with no further action taken by the customer.
On January 7, 2025, a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim involving Rutherford’s conduct was settled for $275,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Rutherford failed to supervise certain representatives, breached a contract, made misrepresentations of material fact, was negligent, and breached his fiduciary duties in connection with the sale of direct investments when Rutherford was associated with Capital Investment Group Inc. FINRA Arbitration No. 24-00321.
On December 4, 2024, another customer filed an investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim involving Rutherford’s conduct in which the customer requested $334,084.00 in damages based upon allegations that Rutherford committed fraud, breached a contract, negligently supervised certain representatives, made misrepresentations, and breached his fiduciary duties. FINRA Arbitration No. 24-02553.
Rutherford was the subject of a customer initiated investment related complaint that was settled on March 28, 2025, for $22,500.00 in damages based upon allegations that Rutherford made misrepresentations about direct investments.
On February 28, 2025, a customer filed an investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim involving Rutherford’s conduct in which the customer requested $200,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Rutherford failed to supervise certain representatives, breached a contract, made misrepresentations, was negligent, and breached his fiduciary duties. FINRA Arbitration No. 25-00422.
Rutherford was associated with Capital Investment Group Inc. in Morehead City, North Carolina from September 18, 2015 to December 6, 2024. On December 6, 2024, Capital Investment Group Inc. discharged Rutherford because he allegedly violated firm policy and FINRA regulations and rules.
