Eric Kleiner: Barred Morgan Stanley Advisor Lands 6-Figure Complaints

The former New York City-based financial advisor Eric Kleiner (CRD# 4135180) has received multiple investor complaints alleging that he recommended unapproved outside investments. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he was most recently registered as a broker with Morgan Stanley. In 2025 FINRA barred him from acting as a broker in connection with allegations that he recommended investments not approved by his member firm.

Mr. Kleiner’s BrokerCheck report discloses 14 investor complaints. The four most recent, filed between December 2025 and June 2026, allege that he recommended an outside investment not authorized by Morgan Stanley. Two of these pending complaints allege unspecified damages. One alleges $246,000, and another alleges $165,000.

A fifth investor complaint, filed in 2025, alleged that he recommended an unsuitable and unapproved outside investment strategy while he was a representative of Morgan Stanley. In April 2026 the complaint reached a settlement of $700,000. A sixth complaint detailing the same allegation was filed in 2025 and settled in March 2026 for a total of $110,000.

For reference, FINRA Rule 3280 prohibits brokers like Mr. Kleiner from engaging in private securities transactions—that is, transactions involving products unapproved by their firm—without providing prior written notice to their member firm, and, in cases where they have received or may receive selling compensation for the transaction, without receiving written approval from their member firm. Private securities transactions can involve many risks for the investor, as they may involve investments for which the firm has not conducted due diligence. Brokers who recommend private securities transactions may be held liable in the event of losses.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Eric Kleiner holds 25 years of securities industry experience. Most recently based in New York City, he was last registered as a broker with Morgan Stanley from 2016 until 2025. His past registrations include Wells Fargo Advisors and Prudential Securities. His credentials include the passage of four securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; and the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7. He is no longer licensed as a broker. (Information current as of September 19, 2026.)

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