Kirk James Bertsch (CRD# 4132889) is a previously registered broker. From 2000 to 2018, Mr. Bertsch worked for Farmers Financial Solutions in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Farmers Financial filed Form U5 in August 2018, terminating Mr. Bertsch’s employment for participating in the purchase and sale of private securities transactions involving unregistered promissory notes without prior notice or approval from the Firm. (Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent No. 2018059666301).
In October 2017, Mr. Bertsch solicited the Woodbridge Group of Companies to buy a $50,000 promissory note, for which Mr. Bertsch received a $1,500 commission. He also personally invested $240,000 in Woodbridge promissory notes.
Mr. Bertsch did not obtain approval or provide notice before engaging in these transactions, violating FINRA Rule 3280 and FINRA Rule 2010. FINRA suspended Mr. Bertsch from the industry for one month and ordered him to pay the $1,500 he received from the unauthorized transaction to FINRA.
This was not the first time Mr. Bertsch received discipline for engaging in outside business activities. In November 2018, the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation fined Mr. Bertsch $5,000 and ordered him to cease and desist offering or selling securities in South Dakota.
Contact Our Broker Misconduct Attorneys Today
At Sonn Law Group, our investment fraud lawyers have the skills and experience needed to handle outside business activity claims and unsuitable investment losses claims. To arrange a free, no obligation review of your case, please contact us right away.
Disclaimer: This article contains opinions and NOT statements of fact in any way whatsoever. The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. NO attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified securities lawyer
CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Se Habla Español
Contact our office today to discuss your case. You can reach us by phone at 844-689-5754 or via e-mail. To send us an e-mail, simply complete and submit the online form below.