Charles Gonzalez of New York New York a stockbroker formerly employed by Spartan Capital Securities LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon consenting to findings that he engaged in undisclosed outside business activities and falsified testimony to FINRA personnel in the course of an investigation into Gonzalez’s activities. Letter of Acceptance Waiver and Consent No. 20180572586-02 (Jan. 9, 2019).
According to the AWC, from June of 2017 to January of 2018, Gonzalez was involved in outside business matters without apprising the firm in writing. Gonzalez reportedly took part in the creation of a broker-dealer. Apparently, Spartan was not provided information from Gonzalez about Gonzalez’s establishment of a broker-dealer, or that Gonzalez hired a consultant, purchased equipment for an office, and financed the rental of office space for the company. Critically, Gonzalez also failed to inform the firm that he steered a customer of the firm into providing him funds to finance the broker-dealer.
The AWC reported that during the time Gonzalez was employed with the firm, Gonzalez was required to inform the firm in writing about outside business activities prior to engaging in them. Consequently, FINRA found that Gonzalez’s conduct was violative of FINRA Rules 2010 and 3270.
The AWC further revealed that Gonzalez neglected to cooperate with FINRA personnel when he was investigated. Particularly, Gonzalez furnished phony expense documentation about his outside business activities. Gonzalez reportedly testified before FINRA personnel after providing the documentation, but he lied to investigators concerning expense receipts. Consequently, FINRA determined that Gonzalez’s misleading or false information provided to the regulators was violative of FINRA Rules 2010 and 8210.
FINRA Public Disclosure confirms that Gonzalez is referenced in four customer initiated investment related disputes pertaining to accusations of his wrongful conduct during the time that he was associated with VFinance Investments, Inc., Avenir Financial Group, Inc. and National Securities Corporation. Particularly, on August 4, 2005, a customer filed an investment related complaint regarding Gonzalez’s conduct in which the customer sought $8,595.00 in damages supported by allegations that unauthorized over-the-counter equities trades were effected in the customer’s investment account.
On January 23, 2013, a customer initiated investment related complaint involving Gonzalez’s conduct was settled for $9,000.00 in damages based upon allegations of excessive commissions on over-the-counter equities transactions placed in the customer’s account. On November 13, 2012, another customer initiated investment related complaint pertaining to Gonzalez’s activities was resolved for $21,500.00 in damages based upon allegations of unauthorized trading.
Gonzalez’s registration with Spartan Capital Securities, LLC has been terminated as of January 30, 2018. Since January 12, 2001, Gonzalez has been associated with fifteen different broker dealers, eleven of which have been expelled by securities regulators for violation of federal securities laws or are otherwise defunct. #cockroach
