Guillermo Valladolid: Morgan Stanley Advisor Barred By Regulator

Guillermo William Valladolid, a former financial advisor in Morgan Stanley’s La Jolla, California, office, has been barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This comes after Valladolid was discharged from Morgan Stanley for “allegations involving [Valladolid’s] outside business activities.”

FINRA began an investigation into Valladoid shortly after his July 2017 termination from Morgan Stanley. As with every FINRA investigation, FINRA sent a letter to Valladolid seeking documents and information. According to FINRA, it was investigating allegations that Valladolid “sold investments away from his FINRA regulated employer and engaged in an undisclosed outside business.”  Selling away is when a financial advisor offers investments to a customer that are not approved by the firm.

According to FINRA, Valladolid informed FINRA that he would not be cooperating with FINRA’s inquiry. Based on his failure to cooperate, Valladolid violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. Valladolid consented to the bar by signing a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent with FINRA.

In April 2015, Valladolid voluntarily resigned from Merrill Lynch after allegations that he failed to escalate a customer complaint to management.