FINRA barred former Western International Securities, Inc. brokers Brittney Jade Sias and Clement Lancelot Chichester of the firm's Westlake Village, California branch for failing to cooperate with an investigation into her alleged receipt of funds from a firm customer. According to her BrokerCheck report, Sias also goes by the name "Rosalie P Sias," while Chichester also has an alias of "Clement Ignatius Chichester."
AWC #2017053136102 (Brittney Jade Sias)
AWC #2017053136101 (Clement L Chichester)
The reports state that Sias (CRD #4274432) and Chichester (CRD #1255275) both failed to adequately respond to multiple FINRA requests for documents and information relative to allegations that the pair improperly received funds from at least one Western International customer.
According to her BrokerCheck file, Sias joined Western International Securities in April 2013 after previous associations with US Bancorp Investments, Inc. (Culver City, CA), Primevest Financial Services (Los Angeles), Cuso Financial Services (Los Angeles), and Essex National Securities (West Hollywood), to name a few past firms.
Chichester's report indicates a similar history of constant firm-hopping, with the following four associations from 2006-2011 prior to his joining Western International: US Bancorp (Santa Monica, 2010-11); Primevest Financial Services (Santa Monica, 2007-10); Cuna Brokerage Services (Santa Ana, 2006-07), and MetLife Securities (2005-06).
Sias' report also indicates the additional business activity of selling life insurance out of a Los Angeles office, while Chichester's file simply states, "INSURANCE." The California Department of Insurance (CDI) lists Sias as an accident and health, life-only, and variable contracts-licensed insurance producer with a business address in La Verne, while Chichester's CDI profile is based in Upland, CA and lists 19 company appointments, including John Hancock Life, Liberty Bankers Life, Principal Life, and Pruco Life.
According to the CDI, Sias is authorized to transact on behalf of America Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company, AXA Equitable Life, Fidelity & Guaranty Life, Guggenheim Life and Annuity, and Liberty Bankers Life.
Though FINRA did not cite Sias and Chichester's specific instance of alleged misconduct other than an "alleged receipt of funds from a customer" prior FINRA actions regarding receipt of customer funds range from allegations of improper borrowing and loans to fraud, theft, and conversion for personal use. Many firms specifically have policies and procedures that prohibit personal loans between customers and representatives due to such a potential for abuse.
The National Ethics Association lists "Brittney J Sias" as a member.
If you have invested with former Western International Securities brokers Brittney Jade Sias or Clement Lancelot Chichester of Southern California, or with any representative or financial adviser whom you have sent funds, and the representative's actions after receiving those funds have proven harmful to your investments or interests—such as through improper loans, conversion, or misappropriation—please call The Law Offices of Jonathan W. Evans & Associates at (800) 699-1881 for an investigation and consultation.