Former Merrill Lynch Rep Suspended for Failing to Disclose Felony Charges

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority announced that it has suspended former Merrill Lynch representative Jason D. Rodriguez for three months and fined him $7,500 for failing to disclose felony charges on his registration documents.

According to FINRA, between August 2023 and July 2024, Rodriguez willfully failed to update his Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer, known as Form U4, to reflect two felony charges filed against him in New Jersey. The charges, which included two counts of assault by automobile, were not disclosed to FINRA or to his then-employer, Merrill Lynch, within the required 30-day timeframe. It was only in July 2024 that Rodriguez’s Form U4 was amended, after FINRA inquired about the charges.

Additionally, FINRA stated that Rodriguez also falsely certified in October 2023 on an internal compliance form that he had not been arrested, arraigned, indicted, or convicted of any criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation.

FINRA said that these actions violated FINRA Rule 1122, which pertains to the filing of accurate and current application information, and FINRA Rule 2010, which requires high standards of commercial honor.

Rodriguez accepted the findings without admitting or denying them. He had previously resigned from Merrill Lynch in August 2024.

The sanctions will take effect on a date set by FINRA.

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