FINRA barred former Financial West Group (FWG) broker Victor Michel for failing to provide requested testimony to FINRA as part of the regulator's investigations into allegations of sales practice misconduct. Michel previously had been sanctioned for settling a customer complaint away from the firm and for unauthorized use of personal e-mail to communicate with a customer.
According to the report, FINRA's investigation of Michel for alleged sales practice violations began in June 2017. In August, Michel's attorney stated Michael would not appear for an on-the-record testimony interview date scheduled for September, and Michel accordingly did not show up for the scheduled September testimony.
In 2016, FINRA had fined and suspended Michel for using an unapproved personal e-mail account to communicate firm-related business with a customer, and, perhaps more importantly, for settling a customer complaint concerning commissions charges away from the firm.
If you have invested with ex-Financial West Group rep Victor Michel or with any broker or financial adviser whose violative sales practices, including use of personal e-mail or attempts to settle complaints away from the firm, have proven harmful to your investments or interests, please call The Law Offices of Jonathan W. Evans & Associates at (800) 699-1881 for an investigation and consultation.