Ali Chehab: FINRA Files Complaint Against Ex-Merrill Advisor

Former Portland, Oregon financial advisor Ali Chehab (CRD# 7625979) was recently named respondent in a regulatory complaint alleging that he engaged in sales practice violations. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he was most recently registered as a broker with Merrill Lynch.

A complaint (No. 2024082633901) describes FINRA’s disciplinary proceeding against Mr. Chehab. Filed in August 2025, it alleges that he violated FINRA rules and federal securities laws by making unauthorized trades, selling investments away from his member firm, and making material misrepresentations to his customers. As it notes, FINRA sent him a request to provide information connected with its investigation into his conduct. In response, he allegedly indicated via email that he would not be complying with the request, informing FINRA “I’m not going to provide that information and I do not care if I get barred.” FINRA is seeking sanctions and costs against him in the proceeding, which remains pending.

Mr. Chehab’s BrokerCheck report discloses multiple recent investor complaints. The most recent, filed in 2024, alleges that as a representative of Merrill Lynch, he used the customer’s sign-on to trade through their self-directed account. In February 2025 the complaint reached a settlement of $42,783.93.

A second investor complaint, filed in 2024, similarly alleged that he used the customer’s credentials to trade through their account. In 2025 the complaint reached a settlement of $319,415.23.

A third disclosure on his BrokerCheck report concerns his termination from Merrill Lynch. Filed in 2924, it states that the firm terminated him in connection with allegations of selling away, the impermissible use of a personal email address, and the “impermissible recommendation to a self-directed customer.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Ali Chehab holds one year of securities industry experience. Most recently based in Portland, Oregon, he was registered as a broker with Merrill Lynch from 2023 until 2024. He was previously registered with Equitable Advisors in Portland, Oregon from 2022 until 2023. He is not currently licensed with any state or firm. (Information current as of August 6, 2025.)

Carlson Law represents investors throughout the United States in claims against financial advisors and investment firms. If you or a loved one have suffered investment losses, please call us at 888-976-6111 or complete our contact form for a free and confidential consultation.