James Lukezic Involved in Unauthorized Trading Complaint
James Lukezic (CRD# 4284800), a broker registered with Old Slip Capital Management, made unauthorized mutual fund exchanges, according to a pending regulatory complaint. MDF Law is investigating the New York City-based financial professional for similar conduct. Current or former clients with concerns about their investments should call us for a free consultation.
This post contains additional detail about the allegations involving Mr. Lukezic. The information below is based on a January 15, 2025 review of his BrokerCheck profile, a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority record.
FINRA Alleges Unauthorized Mutual Fund Exchanges
On December 17, 2024, FINRA released a complaint against Mr. Lukezic. In essence, the complaint alleges that he engaged in unauthorized trading. More specifically, it alleges that he “placed six mutual fund exchanges with a total principal value of approximately $1.1 million.” He allegedly placed the trades in the accounts of five customers. The complaint alleges additionally that he provided false and misleading information during FINRA’s investigation into his trading. Specifically, it alleges that he “falsely denied that he had effected four of the mutual fund exchanges.”
Alleged Unauthorized Exchanges Caused Losses
As alleged, Mr. Lukezic’s mutual fund exchanges caused $44,500 in losses in the customers’ accounts. The complaint specifies that the exchanges were from Class A mutual fund shares to other class A mutual fund shares. After these exchanges, he called the transactions’ transfer agent to inquire about the firms’ commissions for the trades. The transfer agent told him that the transactions were ineligible for commissions, but the firm could assess fees for conversions from Class A to Class F shares. “That same day,” FINRA alleges, Mr. Lukezic effected such exchanges.
Over the following weeks, “all five customers complained that they had not authorized” the initial Class A to Class A exchanges. The transfer agent cancelled and reversed them, and called Mr. Lukezic on multiple occasions to discuss the transactions, per FINRA. “On these telephone calls,” FINRA describes, “which [the transfer agent] recorded, [Mr.] Lukezic stated that he did not effect the exchanges at issue.”
James Lukezic Allegedly Made False Statements, per FINRA
During its investigation into these allegations, FINRA requested information from the firm of which Mr. Lukezic is CEO and Managing Principal. As alleged in the complaint, he “falsely stated” that the firm had no ability to conduct trades on the transfer agent’s platform. He also allegedly falsely stated that “no mutual funds were placed by our firm and no mutual fund trade was ever discussed.” In response to a later request for information about the trades, he allegedly stated that he “was not involved in placing any trades.”
Based on these findings, FINRA’s complaint alleges that Mr. Lukezic made unauthorized trades. It also alleges that he provided false or misleading information to FINRA. The regulator seeks sanctions against him, though the action is still pending.
FINRA: Broker Based in NYC
Mr. Lukezic launched his career as a broker in 2001, when he joined FAM Distributors’ office in New York City. He went on to work with numerous firms, including Citigroup Global Markets, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo, and Oppenheimer & Company. He joined his current member firm, Old Slip Capital Management, in 2019. He has remained at the firm since, working at its office in New York City.
Call MDF Law for a Free Consultation Today
Have you suffered losses investing in securities recommended by James Lukezic? You may be able to recover losses through the FINRA arbitration process. Call MDF Law at 800-767-8040 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. MDF Law’s seasoned investor advocates take cases on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay a fee if you collect a recovery. Your time to file a claim may be limited, so please call today.