Keith Craig Baron

(CRD #3231494, Massapequa, New York)

February 28, 2025 – An Office of Hearing Officers (OHO) Extended Hearing Panel (Hearing Panel) decision became final in which Keith Craig Baron was barred from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity and ordered to pay disgorgement of $284,890 plus prejudgment interest. In light of the bar, the Hearing Panel declined to impose any additional fines and suspensions. The sanctions are based on the findings that Baron omitted material information and made misrepresentations to an elderly married couple regarding stock of a company purportedly in the business of acquiring oil and gas leases. The findings showed that Baron entered into a consulting agreement with the company that paid him $10,000 a month, even though the company was not generating any revenue. In return, Baron responded to inquiries from shareholders and other stakeholders, communicated with creditors, and assisted with growth and strategy. Baron represented to the couple that the company was a guaranteed stock and that the price would double within three months. Baron failed to disclose to the couple that he had a consulting agreement with the company. The couple purchased shares of the company stock in four transactions totaling $359,806. None of the stock purchases were executed through Baron’s member firm. The company paid Baron $284,890 in compensation following the couples’ stock purchases. The findings also showed that Baron failed to disclose his consulting agreement with the company as an outside business activity (OBA) in two annual compliance certifications and renewal data forms he submitted to the firm. Furthermore, Baron failed to disclose his participation in private securities transactions to his firm. Baron knew introducing a customer to the seller of an unapproved investment was a private securities transaction that his firm prohibited without prior approval. The Hearing Panel found that Baron made misrepresentations to his firm by stating that he referred the couple to the CEO of the company and did not have any involvement or receive compensation regarding their investment there. The Hearing Panel also found that Baron made misrepresentations to FINRA when he stated that he referred the couple to the CEO as an individual he had known for 25 years, not as a referral to the company. (FINRA Case #2022073772701) If you have suffered losses as a result of Keith Craig Baron's act and/or actions, we would like to hear from you. We are currently investigating claims on behalf of clients who have suffered significant losses in their portfolios that are managed by Keith Craig Baron. The Schwartz Law Firm represents investors in claims against financial advisors and their firms. If you have questions about your potential claim or need assistance from an investment fraud lawyer, please contact us at 866-618-0545 or email Matthew Schwartz directly at mschwartz@tslfirm.com.