A federal judge refused to halt FINRA’s disciplinary action against a CEO accused of $1.1 million in unauthorized trades, keeping compliance in sharp focus.
James J. Lukezic, CEO and Managing Principal of Old Slip Capital Management, became the subject of a FINRA investigation in early 2022. According to court records, FINRA alleged that Lukezic, who is both an SEC-registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker, executed six unauthorized trades in the accounts of five customers. The trades, which took place in February and March 2022, had a total principal value of about $1.1 million. FINRA also accused Lukezic of providing false and misleading information about these transactions, citing violations of FINRA Rules 2010 and 8210.
In December 2024, FINRA filed a formal disciplinary complaint and entered a Form U6 – Subject of Action – in its Central Registration Depository, as required by federal law. The disciplinary hearing before FINRA’s Office of Hearing Officers was scheduled for October 2025. If found in violation, Lukezic could face a range of sanctions, including censure, fines, suspension, or even a permanent bar from associating with any FINRA member firm.
Instead of letting the FINRA hearing process play out, Lukezic filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in March 2025. He sought a preliminary injunction to stop FINRA, the SEC, and David Saltiel, Director of the SEC’s Division of Trading and Markets, from taking disciplinary action. Lukezic argued that the proceedings would cause him irreparable harm, including constitutional violations and economic damage to his business and reputation.
Judge Dabney L. Friedrich denied the request on August 10, 2025. In her opinion, she explained that a preliminary injunction is an “extraordinary remedy” and that Lukezic had not shown irreparable harm. The court emphasized that the regulatory process provides for review at multiple levels: any sanction imposed by FINRA can be appealed to its National Adjudicatory Council, then to the SEC, and finally to the federal courts. The judge found that Lukezic was not facing immediate, unreviewable expulsion from the industry, and that potential monetary or reputational losses did not meet the legal standard for irreparable injury.
The decision means FINRA’s disciplinary process will continue as scheduled. For professionals in the mortgage and finance space, this case is a reminder that compliance and regulatory oversight remain central to industry practice. The courts, as the ruling makes clear, will not intervene unless all administrative remedies have been exhausted and there is a clear showing of immediate, unreviewable harm.
Lukezic’s disciplinary hearing remains set for October. The outcome will be closely watched by those in the financial and mortgage sectors, as it highlights both the reach of regulatory oversight and the avenues available for challenging enforcement actions. For now, the message is clear: regulatory processes must run their course before the courts will get involved.
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