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David Guadagnino Allegedly Executed Unauthorized Trades

Securities Lawyer Jonathan Kurta
By: Jonathan Kurta Author
August 8, 2025 at 7:07pm

David Guadagnino (CRD #: 2314729), a broker registered with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, allegedly executed unauthorized trades in a client’s accounts, according to his BrokerCheck record, accessed on July 5, 2025. If you have questions about his alleged conduct as a broker, keep reading.

Investor Dispute

On April 25, 2025, an investor alleged that David Guadagnino executed unauthorized trades in February 2021. This dispute is currently pending.

FINRA Rule 3260

Unauthorized trading violates FINRA Rule 3260, which limits brokers to engaging in discretionary trading only in pre-authorized accounts. Both the firm and the client must approve an account before discretionary trading can occur.

FINRA Rule 2010

FINRA Rule 2010 holds brokers to high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Violations of many other rules may also qualify as violations of FINRA Rule 2010.

Background Information

David Guadagnino has passed the following exams:

  • Securities Industry Essentials Examination – SIE

  • Futures Managed Funds Examination – Series 31

  • General Securities Representative Examination – Series 7

  • Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination – Series 65

  • Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination – Series 63

David Guadagnino is a registered broker in 28 states and the District of Columbia. He is also a registered investment adviser in New York and Texas.

Kurta Law Can Help

If you worked with David Guadagnino and you have concerns about your investments, please contact us today at 877-600-0098 or info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation.

For over 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated on behalf of investors who want to recover their investment losses from brokers and brokerage firms. Kurta Law is a nationally recognized law firm that 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. 

 

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