Compliance Risk Concepts

09/03/2026

The SEC charged a previously barred retirement planner and a Texas attorney on August 31 over an alleged tax-lien investment fraud. The complaint says they raised more than $1.85 million from at least 22 investors in four states between 2021 and 2025, promising roughly 20% annual returns on liens that were never actually purchased.

The planner had been barred from associating with brokers and advisers since 2016 and is also charged with acting as an unregistered broker.

The SEC says he doubted the tax liens were real - and kept selling them to clients

09/02/2026

An independent broker-dealer paid $9.4 million to settle a lawsuit brought by clients of a firm it acquired in 2020.

The investors alleged unsuitable recommendations of illiquid limited partnerships and direct investment programs tied to a former broker who was barred by FINRA earlier this year.

It is the second settlement involving that broker's clients in a year. Together with a $9.75 million settlement in 2025, legal costs tied to his sales now total roughly $26.3 million.

So far, legal settlements involving Jim Walesa since 2021 have cost Osaic about $26.3 million.

09/01/2026

Whether you're filing a new membership application or managing an active FINRA member firm, CRC-Oyster delivers the experience, the licensed principals, and the FINRA relationships to get it done.

Broker-dealer compliance depth, delivered as a seamless extension of your team.

Visit our website to learn more about the Institutions We Serve: https://crcoyster.com/institutions/broker-dealers/

08/28/2026

💬 : Chief Compliance Officer

A Chief Compliance Officer administers the firm's compliance program, overseeing policies, testing, and regulatory obligations across the business.

08/27/2026

Forbes and Shook Research have suspended all advisor rankings and events through the end of 2026, following disclosure of a $6 million payment from Shook founder RJ Shook to Forbes' then chief content officer, who was subsequently terminated. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has suspended its participation.

Firms that cite these rankings in marketing materials should revisit how those references are presented and disclosed.

Shook Research will be focusing “on relaunching the rankings business under a new brand in 2027,” a Forbes spokesperson said.

08/26/2026

CRC-Oyster provides timely advisory and ex*****on support, enabling CFTC Registered and NFA Member Firms to meet their initial and ongoing compliance responsibilities.

Our team supports CFTC registration and NFA membership, regulatory filings including Form 8-R, CTA-PR and CPO-PQR, AML independent reviews, cybersecurity annual reviews and NFA examination support.

Visit our website to learn more about our Service Model & Verticals: https://compliance-risk.com/service-model-verticals/

08/25/2026

The SEC alleges a Nasdaq-listed crowdfunding company inflated its revenue by approximately 345 percent by booking nearly $14 million from consulting agreements the complaint calls shams.

About $5.1 million of that was recognized in periods when no agreement existed at all.

The startups paying those fees were allegedly controlled by an insider the company identified publicly only as an advisor.

The startups paying millions in consulting fees were secretly controlled by one insider, the SEC alleges.

08/21/2026

💬 Compliance Word of the Week: Policies and Procedures.

Firms must adopt written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations.

08/20/2026

🚨 CPO Form PQR for Q2 2026 is due Monday, August 31.

08/19/2026

CRC is staffed with a team of Executive Level Compliance Officers that specialize in establishing, maintaining and executing Institutional / Capital Markets, Retail and Ultra High-Net Worth Broker-Dealer (”BD”) Compliance Programs.

Visit our website to learn more about our Service Model & Verticals:
https://compliance-risk.com/service/broker-dealer-compliance-services/