Kristian Gaudet: Former Ameritas Broker Barred by FINRA

A disciplinary action taken by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority against former Cut Off, Louisiana broker Kristian Gaudet (CRD# 4190811) barred him after finding he failed to cooperate with an investigation into allegations he used customer funds for his own personal purposes. A former representative of Ameritas Investment Group, Gaudet was barred from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with a broker-dealer firm.

According to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (No. 2018060600901) dated January 2019, Kristian Gaudet was employed with Ameritas Investment Corporation from 2003 until December 2018, when the firm disclosed to FINRA that his employment had been terminated after an internal investigation found he had “utilized client funds for personal use.” FINRA thereafter sent him a request on January 10, 2019 to appear and provide on-the-record testimony to the regulator. FINRA’s findings state that he indicated through counsel on January 11 and 14, 2019 that he would not appear and provide the requested testimony. FINRA found that this refusal constituted violations of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. As a result of the foregoing alleged conduct, he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity.

Kristian Gaudet’s disclosure records also list two settled or pending customer complaints against him. One such complaint, filed in 2019, alleged that as a representative of Ameritas Investment Corporation he did not inform the customer that withdrawals from a variable annuity policy would incur a penalty; the complaint reached a settlement of $7,853.32. Another pending complaint, filed in 2019, alleges that as a representative of Ameritas he committed fraud, misrepresented material facts, and negligently failed in his supervisory duties; the complaint alleges damages of $565,000.

Kristian Gaudet is not currently registered as a broker or investment advisor. His employment history includes Ameritas Investment Corporation in Cut Off, Louisiana, The Advisors Group, and Princor Financial Services Corporation. He currently holds no state licenses and has passed three securities industry qualification examinations.