Neil James Buono of Woodstock Georgia a stockbroker formerly registered with Pruco Securities LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon findings that Buono refused to cooperate with FINRA staff who was investigating allegations of his forgery and violations of FINRA rules. Letter of Acceptance Waiver and Consent No. 2018060180102 (Sept. 21, 2020).
According to the AWC, Buono was terminated by Pruco Securities based upon accusations of his submission of documents to the securities broker dealer without customers’ authorizations. Those documents allegedly included applications for the customers’ purchases of annuities. The securities broker dealer also indicated that customers’ signatures were forged by Buono so that he could obtain unjustified compensation.
FINRA began an investigation into Buono’s actions following his termination. The regulator asked Buono on August 12, 2020 to testify in response to the allegations against him. FINRA’s request warned that Buono’s failure to respond could lead it to impose sanctions against him including a bar from the securities industry. Buono’s response was not forthcoming and neither was his testimony. FINRA determined that Buono failed to cooperate with the investigation which was violative of FINRA Rules 2010 and 8210.
Buono was registered with Pruco Securities between May 2, 2017 and October 17, 2018. He was registered with Taylor Capital Management Inc. between September 26, 2018 and October 31, 2018.
