Financial adviser arrested on child pornography charges

Financial adviser arrested on child pornography charges
The adviser, Nicholas Spagnoletti, used his personal cellphone to upload, possess and distribute images of child pornography, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey.
AUG 17, 2021

A veteran financial adviser was arrested in New Jersey last Thursday and charged with the distribution and possession of child pornography.

The adviser, Nicholas Spagnoletti, 52, of Madison, faces one count each of the child pornography charges, according to a statement by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutors allege that between April 15 and Aug. 12 Spagnoletti used his personal cellphone to upload, possess and distribute images of child pornography. 

A broker and financial adviser with 28 years of experience, Spagnoletti was most recently registered with LPL Financial and the Wealth Enhancement Group.

Spokespersons for both those firms said on Tuesday that Spagnoletti is either no longer registered or working with that company.

"Nicholas Spagnoletti is no longer a client of the firm," wrote an LPL spokesperson in an email.

"We take this matter very seriously, and are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities," a spokesperson for Wealth Enhancement Group wrote in an email. 

Spagnoletti "disputes the allegations and has begun already preparing to defend against them," his attorney, Anthony J. Iacullo, wrote in an email. "He also wants to thank everyone who has reached out to him and his family offering their support."

The charges against Spagnoletti had been earlier reported by trade publications Citywire and Financial Planning.

Latest News

Osaic executives Kristy Britt and Greg Cornick to leave
Osaic executives Kristy Britt and Greg Cornick to leave

The firm's CFO and EVP of Wealth Management Solutions are the latest executives to exit the broker-dealer.

Estate planning becomes a client retention issue for financial advisors, survey finds
Estate planning becomes a client retention issue for financial advisors, survey finds

Clients are saying they would consider switching advisors if another professional offered estate planning services, according to a new Trust & Will survey.

Candidly adds AI agents for Trump Accounts, workplace benefits
Candidly adds AI agents for Trump Accounts, workplace benefits

CEO Laurel Taylor says the fintech's composable AI stack helps workers optimize dollars across Trump Accounts, 529s, 401(k)s, and other employee benefits.

BMO adds three advisors in Dallas amid Y'all Street wealth boom
BMO adds three advisors in Dallas amid Y'all Street wealth boom

The bank has swiped three private banking veterans from BNY as the city climbs the ranks of America's fastest-growing wealth hubs.

UBS moves toward full-service US bank as plans to extend wealth business
UBS moves toward full-service US bank as plans to extend wealth business

Employee accounts, crypto trials and job cuts frame a pivotal year for the Swiss lender.

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income

SPONSORED Why direct indexing stopped being optional

Direct indexing is on pace to outgrow ETFs and mutual funds. Northern Trust's Ken Lassner explains why the advisors who get it wish they had started sooner.