Series 66 Podcast Interview with Whistleblower Attorney Mark Pugsley
This is an interview with Whistleblower Attorney Mark Pugsley while this is not information that is required for the Series 7 Exam, but I think you will be a more knowledgeable advisor if you are aware of the information contained in this interview.
Mark Pugsley is quite famous for his part in bringing down Milton Trevor of Nikola corporation. He was featured prominently in the podcast BAD BETS
This is information about Mark Pugsley from his website
“Mark Pugsley has been handling securities disputes, financial fraud and whistleblower cases for 28 years. His whistleblower practice includes preparing and filing whistleblower tips with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), he also handles False Claims Act or “Qui Tam” lawsuits, FINRA arbitrations and other types of investment disputes.
Mark is based in our Utah office, the state which boasts the largest number of Ponzi schemes per capita in the country. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Benchmark Plaintiffs, and Martindale Hubbell as one of the top securities lawyers in the country. He is licensed to practice law in Utah and California.
Mark represents whistleblowers in a number of high-profile ongoing cases, including the whistleblowers in the Washakie Renewable Energy scam in which executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges in a $1 billion biodiesel tax fraud scheme. He also represents the whistleblowers in the Nikola Motors case who uncovered widespread fraud by the CEO, Trevor Milton. The whistleblower report to the SEC in the Nikola case led to a $125 million settlement by the company with the SEC, and Mr. Milton was charged civilly and criminally with securities fraud, among other charges. Another of his whistleblower clients uncovered an ongoing $200 million Ponzi scheme that led to civil and criminal actions by the DOJ, SEC and State regulators. These cases are ongoing.
Significant recoveries for his whistleblower, investment fraud and FINRA Arbitration clients include the following:
- Representation of two whistleblowers in an SEC whistleblower case that was approved for an award in April of 2021. His clients were awarded 30% of the $9,384,253 in ordered fines and penalties – the maximum award possible.
- Represented the Declarant in a whistleblower case filed against Vivint Smart Home Inc.. On January 6, 2021 the Justice Department announced that Vivint had agreed to pay the United States $3.2 million to resolve the case. His client will receive a significant reward.
- Represented a client in an $11 million CFTC whistleblower case that was approved for an award in January of 2020. His client will receive a significant portion of all restitution and civil penalties collected by the CFTC.
- Representation of three clients in a 5-day trial in Utah State Court where his clients were awarded compensatory damages in excess of $3 million, $2 million in punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.
- Represented a bankruptcy trustee and trustee of a private actions trust pursuing the claims of over 400 victims of a Ponzi scheme against a national life insurance company for securities fraud and the negligent employment of the agents who perpetrated the scheme for over a decade. The parties reached an 8-figure settlement in 2018.
- Represented 15 clients in a FINRA arbitration case alleging more than $6 million in out of pocket damages involving a rogue broker from a national brokerage firm. The firm settled the case shortly before the arbitration hearing in August of 2018 for a confidential amount.
- Represented 28 clients in a case alleging more than $10 million in out of pocket damages involving a broker who was employed by a national brokerage firm. The case was settled for a confidential sum that resulted in substantial recovery of his clients’ losses.
In addition to his whistleblower practice, Mark has been litigating securities disputes for his entire legal career. He has also handled many FINRA arbitration cases and frequently goes to court to pursue claims for victims of fraud.
Prior to founding the law firm of Pugsley & Wood, Mark was a shareholder at the law firm of Ray Quinney & Nebeker in Salt Lake City, where he worked for 23 years. Mark is a recognized expert in the area of securities fraud and has written and spoken extensively on whistleblower law, Ponzi schemes and affinity fraud for many years…..”
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The Series 66 Exam which can lead to the candidate being licensed as an Investment Advisor Representative.
The other possible exam would be the series 65 examination.
The Series 66 exam — the NASAA Uniform Combined State Law Examination — is a North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) exam administered by FINRA.
The exam consists of 100 scored questions. Candidates have 150 minutes to complete the exam. In order for a candidate to pass the Series 66 Exam, he/she must correctly answer at least 73 of the 100 scored questions.
There is no prerequisite for the Series 66 examination. However, the SIE and the Series 7 examination are co-requisites to the Series 66 Examination.
What is the Series 65 Exam?
The Series 65 is another path to becoming an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR)
Sometimes called the IAR in a box
Unlike the Series 66 Exam the Series 65 exam does not have the Series 7 Requirement
The Series 65 unlike broker-dealer exams (think the Series 7 Exam) the Series 65 Exam requires no company sponsor.
When taking the Series 66 to join an RIA firm as a IAR, candidates must complete the exam within 150 minutes. A passing score is 73%, which translates to correctly answering 73 of the 100 scored questions. The NASAA, which administers the exam, does not release Series 66 pass rates. But this is a TOUGH exam, many people do not pass on the first try.
Again requisites for this exam are the SIE Exam and the Series 7 Exam Top Off
The test covers financial industry regulation, securities law, ethics, investments and economics. All these topics factor into a financial advisor’s day-to-day work. Most candidates devote considerable time to studying for the Series 65.
Different States have different requirements in become an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) so check your states department of securities licensing to find out its requirements.
Series 66 Exam Free Audio Lesson 13
Series 66 Exam Free Audio Lesson 13 is a lesson for the Series 66 Exam which can lead to the candidate being licensed as an Investment Advisor Representative.
The Series 66 Exam consists of 100 questions. When taking the Series 66 to join an RIA firm as a IAR, candidates must complete the exam within 150 minutes. A passing score is 73%, which translates to correctly answering 73 of the 100 scored questions. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which administers the exam, does not release Series 66 pass rates. But this is a TOUGH exam, many people do not pass on the first try.
The test covers financial industry regulation, securities law, ethics, investments and economics. All these topics factor into a financial advisor’s day-to-day work. Most candidates devote considerable time to studying for the Series 66.
The other possible exam path to become a IAR would be the series 65 examination.
What is the Series 65 Exam?
Unlike the Series 66 Exam the Series 65 exam does not have the Series 7 Requirement
The Series 65 unlike broker-dealer exams (think the Series 7 Exam) the Series 65 Exam requires no company sponsor.
Different States have different requirements in become an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) so check your states department of securities licensing to find out its requirements.
Series 65 vs Series 66 Exam
The Series 65 exam is designed for those who do not have a Series 7 license. The content of both exams are similar though the Series 65 will be more heavily concentrated on Investment products and economics (like you would need to learn for the SIE and Series 7 Exam). … The Series 66 exam has a little more State law (such as what you will find in the Series 63 Exam) and some esoteric investment products.
Our audio lessons for both the Series 65 and Series 66 cover the material you would need to learn for the SIE and Series 7 exam so it may be a little more than you need for the Series 66 but we want you to be fully prepared!
The only difference between the two series of exam lessons (the 65 and 66) is that the Series 66 exam also covers the material needed for the Series 63 exam.
Our other website s for FINRA and other certification Exams include:
https://www.series7podcast.com
https://www.series7podcast.com
https://insuranceexampodcast.com
https://insuranceexampodcast.com
https://www.reexampodcast.com/
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