Michael T. Studer and Castle Securities Corp.
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Rel. No. 50786 / November 30, 2004
Admin. Proc. File No. 3-11426
In the Matter of the Application of MICHAEL T. STUDER 45 Church Street For Review of Disciplinary Action Taken by NASD |
ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION
On October 14, 2004, the Commission issued an opinion sustaining disciplinary action by NASD against Michael T. Studer and Castle Securities Corp ("Castle"), a former NASD member. We found that Studer and Castle violated the federal securities laws and NASD rules. Castle churned a Castle customer's account; both applicants failed to supervise the trading in that account; and Castle induced the customer to guarantee the margin accounts of other Castle customers without compensation. We sustained NASD's expulsion of Castle from membership and bar of Studer from associating with any NASD member in any capacity.1
On October 18, 2004, Studer moved for reconsideration of the Commission's decision. On November 1, 2004, Studer supplemented his motion for reconsideration disputing two specific findings in the October 14, 2004 Opinion.2
Studer objects that the Opinion indicated that "NASD found Applicants violated Rule 2110 by inducing the customer" to guarantee unrelated margin accounts. He states that NASD'S Hearing Panel in its decision dated March 28, 2003, dismissed the charge that Castle violated NASD Rule 2110 by inducing the customer to guarantee the margin accounts of five other, unrelated Castle customers. While the Hearing Panel did dismiss this charge, the NASD National Adjudicatory Council reinstated it in its decision of February 19, 2004. We do not view the Opinion as finding that Studer engaged in the guarantee violations.3
Studer argues that the sanctions sustained in the October 14, 2004 Opinion were excessive. Studer asserts that he was never charged with churning. The sanctions imposed on Studer were not based on the churning activity but rather for his failure to supervise to prevent that violation.4
IT IS ORDERED that the motion for reconsideration filed by Michael T. Studer and Castle Securities Corp. on November 1, 2004, be, and it hereby is, denied.
By the Commission.
Jonathan G. Katz
Secretary