Morgan Stanley seeks to bar broker accused of shooting co-worker

The firm asked for a restraining order against 90-year-old Leonard Bernstein in Oklahoma County District Court Tuesday that would bar him from its offices and from any contact with former colleagues.

JUL 06, 2022

By Bloomberg

Morgan Stanley is seeking to bar a 90-year-old financial adviser from its facilities after he was accused of shooting a co-worker at the company’s Oklahoma City offices last week.

Leonard Bernstein shot Chris Bayouth as many as five times in the torso, back, leg and foot on Thursday, according to the Oklahoma City Police Department. Bayouth was hospitalized for his injuries and Bernstein was apprehended later the day of the incident and charged with shooting with intent to kill, according to the police.

Bernstein has since been released on $50,000 bail. Attempts to reach Bernstein were unsuccessful, with two phone numbers associated with him disconnected. A county jail spokesman said no lawyer was listed for Bernstein.

Morgan Stanley, which fired Bernstein on Friday, sought a restraining order on Tuesday in Oklahoma County District Court, seeking to bar him from the firm’s offices and having any contact with former colleagues. The bank said that he “remains a grave threat to the health and safety of Morgan Stanley’s employees and customers,” according to a court filing.

“We are cooperating with the authorities and our thoughts are with our employee,” Morgan Stanley said in a statement.

Bernstein joined Morgan Stanley last year, according to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s BrokerCheck. Bayouth joined the New York-based firm in 2009.

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