Maria Gasparro: New Investor Complaint Against Ex-Merrill Advisor

Melville, New York financial advisor Maria Gasparro (CRD# 1250585) allegedly misappropriated customer funds, according to a recent investor complaint. Records provided by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority indicate that she is a broker and an investment advisor with UBS Financial Services, having previously been registered with Merrill Lynch.

Ms. Gasparro’s BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in January 2023, it alleges that as a representative of Merrill Lynch, she misappropriated customer funds between January 2019 and May 2019. The pending complaint alleges unspecified damages.

Investors should be aware that FINRA rules forbid brokers like Ms. Gasparro from misusing customer funds. FINRA Rule 2150 specifically states that “No member or person associated with a member shall make improper use of a customer’s securities or funds.” FINRA-registered persons found to have misappropriated customer funds may be held liable for damages and/or subject to disciplinary action.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Maria Gasparro holds 29 years of securities industry experience. Based in Melville, New York, she has been a broker and an investment advisor with UBS Financial Services since February 2021. Her registration history includes Merrill Lynch (Melville, New York; 2010-2021), Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (Garden City, New York; 2009-2010), and Citigroup Global Markets (Garden City, New York; 1993-2009). Her credentials include the passage of five securities industry qualifying exams: the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Futures Managed Funds Examination, or Series 31; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; and the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65. She is licensed in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. (Information current as of February 20, 2023.)

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