SEC bars broker connected to Dawn Bennett scam

SEC bars broker connected to Dawn Bennett scam
Bradley Mascho, formerly with Western International Securities, agrees he abetted fraud
JAN 08, 2020

The Securities and Exchange Commission has barred Bradley Mascho, a former registered representative with Western International Securities, for his role in aiding and abetting an offering fraud by Dawn J. Bennett.

The SEC alleged that Mr. Mascho assisted Ms. Bennett in raising more than $20 million from at least 46 investors through the unregistered offering of her company’s convertible and promissory notes. The agency charged that he fraudulently misrepresented and omitted material facts to investors regarding the company’s financial condition and operating performance, the risks associated with the investment, and the intended use of investor proceeds.

Ms. Bennett, who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison last July, was convicted on 17 charges related to her running the $20 million Ponzi scheme.

Mr. Mascho, of Frederick, Md., was sentenced last August to 30 months in prison. He resigned from Western International Securities in 2017 and has not been employed in the securities industry since.

In January 2018, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. barred Mr. Mascho for failing to take part in a hearing looking into his activities at Western International. 

Latest News

AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls
AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls

The new AI feature generates instant client portfolio talking points, slashing meeting prep time for advisors.

Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners
Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners

As Citizens expands its advisory footprint, the bank is also going after wealth trapped inside business ownership

Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026
Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026

The Forbes rankings are highly sought after by some advisors and firms for marketing purposes.

Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition
Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition

Meanwhile, an advisor tuck-in from Edward Jones expands Kestra's Washington, D.C.-area presence, and Janney deepens its Connecticut footprint with an experienced Wells Fargo advisor.

Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors
Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors

KFN Succession Center pairs advisors weighing retirement with buyers, as next-gen affordability keeps eroding industry-wide.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

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