Alexis Cooke Barred by FINRA For Allegedly Forging Variable Annuity Contracts

Alexis Cooke (CRD #: 5598604), a formerly licensed broker with Pruco Securities LLC, has been barred by FINRA, according to her  BrokerCheck Record accessed on October 20, 2021. According to FINRA’s allegations, Alexis Cooke forged clients’ signatures on annuities contracts, violating FINRA Rules 2010, 4511, and 8210. Keep reading for more information.

Regulatory Action

On August 13, 2021, FINRA barred Alexis Cooke following allegations that she forged clients’ signatures on variable annuities contracts, violating FINRA Rules 2010, 4511, and 8210.

As part of the Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent agreement, Alexis Cooke consented to the findings that between May 2017 and February 2018, while associated with NYlife Securities LLC, she allegedly forged client signatures on four different annuities contracts, earning $68,000 in commissions during this period. These contracts included two variable annuity contracts.

Alexis Cooke allegedly created fake email addresses for the two customers, which she used to electronically forge their signatures on two variable annuity applications via DocuSign. Alexis Cooke falsified the two fixed-annuity applications by untruthfully stating in the applications that she had met with the customers, witnessed their signatures, and verified their respective identities. FINRA further alleges that Alexis Cooke failed to respond truthfully to FINRA staff’s questions during testimony. This violates FINRA Rules 2010, 4511, and 8210.

You can read a copy of the AWC here.

FINRA Rules 2010, 4511, and 8210

FINRA Rule 8210 requires associated persons to provide documents, testimony, and written information regarding any matter involved in an examination or investigation. A registered representative who provides false or misleading information to FINRA violates FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.  

FINRA Rule 4511 requires each member to make and preserve books and records in conformity with Section 17(a) of the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Rule 17a-3.  A registered representative who falsifies firm records causes the firm to maintain inaccurate books and records in violation of FINRA Rule 4511.

FINRA Rule 2010 requires member firms and their associated persons to “observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.” Falsification is inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade and violates FINRA Rule 2010. 

Employment Termination

On June 21, 2018, Alexis Cooke voluntarily resigned from NYlife Securities LLC following allegations that she and other agents, at the direction of their recruiter, were submitting insurance and annuity applications for customers without the customers’ full knowledge or consent, as well as other related violations of company policies and procedures

Background Information

Alexis Cooke has passed the following exams:

• Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination
• SIE – Securities Industry Essentials Examination
• Series 6 – Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination

She has worked for the following firms:

• Pruco Securities, LLC. (CRD#:5685)
• Nylife Securities LLC (CRD#:5167)
• Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC (CRD#:19616)
• J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (CRD#:79)
• Chase Investment Services Corp. (CRD#:25574)

Kurta Law Can Help 

If you have been victimized by Alexis Cooke, please contact us today at 877-600-0098 or info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation. 

For nearly 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated for investors to recover their investment losses from brokers and brokerage firms. Kurta Law is a nationally recognized law firm and exclusively represents investors against brokers and brokerage firms on a contingency basis. This means that the firm only earns a fee if our securities attorneys recover money on your behalf.