Dennis Mehringer: FINRA Bars Pasadena Financial Advisor

A disciplinary action taken by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority against former Pasadena, California broker and investment advisor Dennis Mehringer (CRD# 722569) barred him after finding he failed to provide testimony connected with its investigation into possible unsuitable trading. A former representative of Western International Securities, Mehringer was barred from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with a broker-dealer firm.

According to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (No. 2019061994701) dated October 2019, FINRA initiated an investigation in March 2019 “into whether Mehringer had engaged in unsuitable trading and other misconduct” between January 2017 and May 2018, violating industry rules and regulations. As part of this examination, FINRA sent him a request on September 9, 2019 to provide on-the-record-testimony; he indicated to FINRA via counsel on October 2, 2019 that he would not be appearing and providing such testimony “at any time.” FINRA found this refusal to constitute violations of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. As a result of the foregoing alleged conduct, he was barred from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity.

Dennis Mehringer’s disclosure records also list numerous settled or pending customer complaints against him.

A pending 2019 complaint alleges that as a representative of Western International Securities, Dennis Mehringer made unsuitable investment recommendations, misrepresented material facts, committed fraud, executed unauthorized trades, and breached his fiduciary duty. The complaint alleges damages of $433,079.

A pending 2018 complaint alleges that as a representative of Western International Securities, Dennis Mehringer breached his fiduciary duty and recommended unsuitable investments. The complaint alleges damages of $1,761,558.

A 2017 complaint alleged that as a representative of Western International Securities, Dennis Mehringer recommended a fixed income investment that the customer ended up “unhappy with.” The complaint reached a settlement of $62,250.

A 2017 complaint alleged that as a representative of Western International Securities, he made unsuitable investment recommendations. The complaint reached a settlement of $45,000.

A 2015 complaint alleged that as a representative of Western International Securities, he failed to execute a trade. The complaint reached a settlement of $47,000.

A 2014 complaint alleged that as a representative of Western International Securities, he charged excessive and improper commissions, and executed unauthorized trades. The complaint reached a settlement of $290,000.

Dennis Mehringer is currently not registered as a broker or investment advisor. His employment history includes Western International Securities in Pasadena, California; First Allied Securities in Pasadena, California; FSC Securities Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia; Walnut Street Securities in El Segundo, California; Equico Securities in New York, New York; the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States in New York, New York; United Pacific Securities in Carlsbad, California; New England Securities in New York, New York; US Securities Clearing Corporation in San Diego, California; Guardian Investor Services Corporation; PML Securities Company; and NEL Equity Services