National investment fraud lawyers KlaymanToskes reports Blake Wayne Eskew (CRD# 6959564) has been permanently barred by FINRA from acting as a broker/investment advisor, or otherwise associating with a FINRA-regulated brokerage firm in all capacities. The decision was made due to Eskew’s alleged refusal to produce investigation-related information to the regulator regarding his violation of Merrill Lynch’s company policy relating to investment advisory activities.
According to FINRA BrokerCheck, Blake Wayne Eskew was previously registered with the following firms:
Investors that suffered losses with Blake Wayne Eskew are encouraged to contact attorney Lawrence L. Klayman, Esq., at 888-997-9956 or lklayman@klaymantoskes.com for a free consultation to discuss legal options. We do not collect attorney’s fees unless we are able to obtain a financial recovery for you.
Blake Wayne Eskew entered into a regulatory agreement known as a letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”) with FINRA’s Department of Enforcement on February 16th, 2023. The AWC states that the investigation originated from a tip received by FINRA and from FINRA’s review of an Amended Form U5 that Merrill Lynch issued in May 2022 naming Eskew.
According to the AWC, in March 2022, Merrill Lynch filed a Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration (“Form U5”), disclosing Eskew’s “voluntary termination” from the firm. Later that year, in May 2022, the firm filed an Amended Form U5, disclosing that at the time of his resignation, Eskew was the subject of an internal review which concluded that “the registered representative altered an email requested by the Firm and accepted a trade without proper authorization.”
FINRA sent Eskew a request to appear for on-the-record testimony (pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210) on December 5, 2022. Eskew allegedly failed to appear for testimony on January 5, 2023. On January 6, 2023, FINRA sent a second request to Eskew notifying him to appear for testimony on January 20, 2023.
Eskew failed to appear for testimony for the second time and, in an email to FINRA on January 23, 2023, acknowledged he had received FINRA’s requests and would not appear for on-the-record testimony at any time. By refusing to appear for on-the-record testimony as requested by the regulator, Eskew violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010, consenting to sanctions of a permanent bar from associating with any FINRA member in all capacities.
Under FINRA Rule 8210, all brokerage firms and their registered representatives are required to provide information, documents, and testimony upon FINRA’s request.
A violation of the “Provision of Information and Testimony” rule is also a violation of FINRA Rule 2010, which requires brokerage firms and their registered representatives to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.
Former customers of Blake Wayne Eskew at JPMorgan and/or Merrill Lynch who have experienced significant investment losses are encouraged to contact attorney Lawrence L. Klayman, Esq. at 1-888-997-9956 or lklayman@klaymantoskes.com for a free and confidential consultation.
Our firm offers legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not collect attorney’s fees unless we are able to obtain a financial recovery for you.
KlaymanToskes is a leading national securities law firm which practices exclusively in the field of securities arbitration on behalf of retail and institutional investors throughout the world in large and complex securities matters. The firm has recovered over $250 million in FINRA arbitrations and over $350 million in other securities litigation matters. KlaymanToskes has office locations in California, Florida, New York, and Puerto Rico.
KlaymanToskes, P.A.
Lawrence L. Klayman, Esq.
888-997-9956
lklayman@klaymantoskes.com
www.klaymantoskes.com