Kevin Cougle: $126K Complaint Against Retirement Optimization Advisor

Rochester, New York financial advisor Kevin Cougle (CRD# 2251260) recently received an investor complaint alleging that he conducted unauthorized transactions. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker with Cadaret Grant & Company, doing business as The Retirement Optimization Group.

Mr. Cougle’s BrokerCheck report disclose multiple investor complaints. The most recent, filed in June 2024, alleges that as a representative of Pruco Securities, he made unauthorized transactions in two of the customer’s accounts. The pending complaint alleges damages of $126,000.

An earlier investor complaint, filed in 2006, alleged that as a representative of HSBC Brokerage, he misled the customer. The complaint reached a settlement of $9,355.

A third investor complaint, filed in 2006, alleged that he did not properly explain the terms and conditions of a certificate of deposit. The complaint reached a settlement of $68,083.

A fourth investor complaint, filed in 2006, similarly alleged that as a representative of HSBC, he misrepresented material facts related to a certificate of deposit. The complaint reached a settlement of $46,720.

The Retirement Optimization Group’s website includes a profile of Mr. Cougle that outlines his background and experience. “Kevin Cougle is an experienced Financial Advisor serving as Business Development Officer focusing on the protection of clients’ assets by using life insurance and long term care planning,” it states. “He gained a passion for financial advising while attending SUNY Fredonia where he earned a dual bachelor’s degree in finance and economics with a concentration in money, banking, and finance. With decades of experience in many aspects of the financial industry, Kevin assists in providing guidance through estate planning, long term care, and life insurance planning.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Kevin Cougle holds 21 years of securities industry experience. Based in Rochester, New York, he has been registered as a broker with Cadaret Grant & Company since 2024, doing business as The Retirement Optimization Group. His past registrations include Pruco Securities, AllState Financial Services, Lincoln Financial Distributors, Banc of America Investment Services, Quick & Reilly, HSBC Brokerage, Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Wall Street Financial Group, Main Street Management Company, and First Investors Corporation. His credentials include the passage of seven securities industry qualifying exams: the General Securities Sales Supervisor – Options Module Examination, or Series 9; the Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Principal Examination, or Series 26; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination, or Series 6; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65; and the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63. He is licensed in New York. (Information current as of July 6, 2024.)

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