Burton William Bartlett II (CRD #1038728) Has 5 Customer Dispute Disclosures and 1 Employment Separation Disclosure on FINRA BrokerCheck

Burton William Bartlett II (CRD #1038728) was previously registered as a broker. We reviewed his BrokerCheck report on April 16, 2026. It reflects five customer dispute disclosures and one employment separation disclosure. If you invested with Burton Bartlett and have concerns, keep reading.

BrokerCheck link: BrokerCheck

BrokerCheck report: BrokerCheck Report (PDF)

Investor Disputes / Customer Complaints

Burton Bartlett’s FINRA BrokerCheck Report reflects five customer dispute disclosures. Two are pending and three are settled. Below are summaries of the two pending disputes. Three additional customer dispute disclosures appear on BrokerCheck.

On February 10, 2026, Burton Bartlett’s FINRA BrokerCheck report disclosed a pending FINRA matter tied to GWG L Bonds. The customer alleged unsuitability, material misrepresentations, concealment, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with an investment made at a prior firm. The claimed damages are $480,000.

On February 26, 2025, Burton Bartlett’s FINRA BrokerCheck report disclosed another pending customer dispute. The complaint alleged unsuitable and misleading investment recommendations, material misrepresentations and omitted material facts, fraudulent concealment, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and a violation of Wisconsin securities law. The claimed damages are $50,000.

Employment Separation

Burton Bartlett’s FINRA BrokerCheck Report also reflects one employment separation disclosure.

On October 6, 1982, Burton Bartlett’s FINRA BrokerCheck report states that Merrill Lynch discharged him after adverse publicity. The disclosure says a brief New York Post article appeared about the incident, and the firm treated it as a violation of an industry standard of conduct.

Rule Summary #1: FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability)

FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability) requires a reasonable basis for each recommendation. A broker should match the recommendation to the customer’s profile. That profile includes risk tolerance, objectives, and financial needs. Complaints about unsuitable recommendations often raise questions about whether the product fit those factors.

Rule Summary #2: FINRA Rule 2210 (Communications with the Public)

FINRA Rule 2210 (Communications with the Public) requires communications to be fair and balanced. It also bars false, exaggerated, unwarranted, or misleading statements or omissions. Claims involving misrepresentations often raise questions about what was said to the customer. They can also raise questions about what material facts were left out.

Why This Matters to Investors (Regulation Best Interest)

Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) is a U.S. securities regulation. It strengthens the standard of conduct that broker-dealers owe to retail investors. It applies when they recommend securities transactions or investment strategies. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Reg BI. It became effective on June 30, 2020. Reg BI aims to protect investors while preserving access to brokerage products and services.

Reg BI requires broker-dealers and financial advisors to act in a retail customer’s best interest at the time of a recommendation. They must not place their own financial or other interests ahead of the customer’s. This standard is higher than the older “suitability” rule. Suitability meant a recommendation only had to be appropriate. It did not have to be the best option or free of conflicts.

Reg BI has four key obligations:

Disclosure Obligation – Broker-dealers must disclose material facts about the relationship and the recommendation. This includes fees, the scope of services, and conflicts of interest.

Care Obligation – Broker-dealers must use reasonable diligence, care, and skill. They must consider costs, risks, and alternatives when making a recommendation.

Conflict of Interest Obligation – Firms must identify conflicts of interest. They must disclose them and mitigate or eliminate them. This includes conflicts that create incentives to favor one product over another.

Compliance Obligation – Firms must maintain policies and procedures. Those policies should be designed to ensure compliance with Reg BI as a whole.

Reg BI applies to each recommendation. It is not a continuous duty like the fiduciary standard for registered investment advisers. Even so, it narrows the gap. It puts more focus on costs, conflicts, and investor-focused decision-making.

Overall, Regulation Best Interest promotes transparency. It also aims to improve the quality of investment recommendations. It is designed to reinforce trust between retail investors and broker-dealers in the U.S. securities markets.

Background Information (from BrokerCheck)

Based on his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Burton Bartlett:

Is not currently registered as a broker.

Has passed the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam. Burton Bartlett has also passed Series 24, Series 7, Series 5, Series 65, and Series 63.

Was previously registered with firms that include Landolt Securities, Inc., Worden Capital Management LLC, and J.W. Cole Financial, Inc.

Kurta Law Can Help

If you have worked with Burton Bartlett and you have concerns about his activity, Kurta Law may be able to help you evaluate your legal options. To speak with Kurta Law, call 877-600-0098 or email info@kurtalawfirm.com.

Helpful resources: Securities Attorney | Unsuitable Investments

For nearly 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated for investors and helped hold financial professionals accountable. Our firm represents clients nationwide in securities arbitration and related disputes. If you believe a broker or firm mishandled your account, an attorney can review the facts and explain possible next steps.