Keith Craig Baron (CRD #3231494, Massapequa, New York)

December 14, 2023 – Baron was named a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that he made material misrepresentations to a married senior couple in connection with his recommendation of a company’s stock. The complaint alleges Baron failed to disclose to the couple that he was a consultant for the company and had a financial stake in their investment as a result of his agreement with it. Later, Baron made additional material false statements to one of the investors in connection with a purported buyback of the couple’s shares of the company. The complaint also alleges that Baron failed to disclose his OBA to his member firm by failing to provide prior written notice to it concerning his business relationship with the company. Baron had an ongoing business relationship with the company pursuant to an agreement in which he expected to receive compensation and received $284,890 in compensation from it during one year. The complaint further alleges that Baron participated in private securities transactions by recommending and facilitating the couples purchases of shares of the company’s common stock for $359,806.16 but failed to obtain written authorization from his firm to participate in the transactions. These transactions were done away from the firm and were outside the regular course or scope of Baron’s employment with it. Baron did not provide written notice to his firm of his role in the sale of the company’s common stock to the couple prior to participating in those securities transactions. In addition, the complaint alleges that Baron made false statements orally and in writing to his firm. On annual certifications to the firm, Baron claimed not to have any undisclosed OBAs and alsoorally told the firm’s compliance director that he did not have any ongoing affiliation or relationship with the company. Baron also repeatedly concealed his relationship with the company in documents submitted to the firm. When the couple submitted a complaint about him to FINRA, Baron misrepresented to the firm the nature and extent of his involvement with the couple’s purchases of the company’s stock. Moreover, the complaint alleges that Baron submitted false information to FINRA regarding his involvement with the couple’s investment with the company and misrepresented the nature and extent of his involvement with it. (FINRA Case #2022073772701)