Christian De Berardinis after Allegations of Soliciting Outside Investments

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the regulator has reportedly suspended financial advisor Christian De Berardinis (CRD#: 4312327) from acting as a broker for 24 months.

From February 2020 to August 2021, De Berardinis, Morgan Stanley advisor, allegedly participated in private offerings of securities that raised $2.45 million from four firm customers. De Berardinis purportedly participated in these private securities transactions without providing prior written notice to, or receiving approval from, Morgan Stanley. As a result, De Berardinis allegedly violated FINRA Rules 3280 and 2010.

During the relevant period, De Berardinis allegedly facilitated the investments of four firm customers in a private placement offering by a dairy company.

In addition to the lengthy suspension, De Berardinis was fined $15,000 and required to pay restitution of $22,500 plus interest. According to FINRA, De Berardinis is not currently registered or associated with any FINRA member.

FINRA 3280 and Outside Investments

FINRA Rule 3280 prohibits brokers from engaging in “selling away,” or conducting securities transactions outside their firm without proper approval. Before participating in any private securities transaction, a broker must provide written notice to their firm, detailing the transaction and stating whether they expect to receive compensation.

If compensation is involved, the firm must give written approval or disapproval. A private securities transaction is defined as any transaction outside the broker’s regular duties with the firm, and selling compensation includes any form of payment related to the sale of a security.

FINRA BrokerCheck – Christian De Berardinis

The FINRA BrokerCheck tool is a free online tool that allows investors to research and verify the background and credentials of financial brokers, brokerage firms, and investment advisors registered with FINRA.

Investors can use the tool to verify whether a broker or brokerage firm is registered with FINRA, as well as to review their employment history, licensing status, and any regulatory actions or complaints filed against them.

Christian De Berardinis was reportedly registered with the following brokerage firms during his career in the securities industry:

07/20/2015 – 07/20/2023, MORGAN STANLEY (CRD#:149777),New York, NY
07/12/2011 – 08/05/2015, J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC (CRD#:79), MIAMI, FL

Free Consultation with National Securities Attorneys  

If you have suffered investment losses with Christian De Berardinis and Morgan Stanley, the securities attorneys at the White Law Group may be able to help you. For a free consultation with a securities attorney, please call (888) 637-5510.      

About the White Law Group

The White Law Group, LLC is a national securities fraud, securities arbitration, investor protection, and securities regulation/compliance law firm dedicated to helping investors in claims in all 50 states against their financial professional or brokerage firm. Since the firm launched in 2010, it has handled over 700 FINRA arbitration cases.

Our firm represents investors in all types of securities related claims, including claims involving stock fraud, broker misrepresentation, churning, unsuitable investments, selling away, and unauthorized trading, among many others.

With over 30 years of securities law experience, The White Law Group has the expertise to help investors to recover their securities fraud losses.