Kristian M. Gaudet of Cut Off, Louisiana, a stockbroker formerly registered with Ameritas Investment Corp, is the subject of a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim which was resolved for $450,000.00 in damages based upon accusations of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty while Gaudet was employed by Ameritas Investment Corp. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitration No. 19-02023 (March 18, 2021). The claim also alleges the failure to supervise by Ameritas Investment Corp.
FINRA Public Disclosure shows that Gaudet has been identified in three additional customer initiated investment related disputes concerning allegations of his activities while he was associated with Ameritas Investment Corp. On May 10, 2019, a customer initiated investment related complaint concerning Gaudet’s conduct was settled for $7,853.32 in damages founded on accusations of the customer not being made aware of the penalties and fees relating to withdrawals from a variable annuity.
Gaudet is also identified in a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim which was resolved for $205,000.00 in damages supported by allegations that Gaudet misrepresented information in regard to the customer’s investments in a promissory note during the time that Gaudet was registered with Ameritas Investment Corp. FINRA Arbitration No. 19-01801 (March 19, 2020). The claim alleges that Ameritas Investment Corp negligently failed to supervise Gaudet’s activities.
On December 1, 2020, a different customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim regarding Gaudet’s activities was settled for $70,000.00 in damages based upon accusations of negligence, failure to supervise, and misrepresentation regarding a promissory note when Gaudet was associated with Ameritas Investment Corp. FINRA Arbitration No. 19-02824.
FINRA Public Disclosure additionally shows that Gaudet has been barred from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity supported by findings that Gaudet hindered a FINRA investigation into allegations of conversion while Gaudet was employed by Ameritas Investment Corp. Letter of Acceptance Waiver and Consent No. 2018060600901 (January 24, 2019).
According to the AWC, following Gaudet’s termination from Ameritas Investment Corp, he was issued a request from FINRA to testify in an investigation. The AWC states that Gaudet received the request but refused to appear. Gaudet’s lawyer made FINRA aware that Gaudet would not testify at any time in the investigation. The regulator found that Gaudet violated Rules 2010 and 8210.
Gaudet was registered with Ameritas Investment Corp between October 31, 2003, and December 10, 2018. He was discharged by the securities broker dealer supported by accusations of him making personal use of a customer’s funds.
