Lester Joel Hochler

(CRD #3209012, Newnan, Georgia)

March 6, 2026 – An AWC was issued in which Lester Joel Hochler was fined $5,000, suspended from association with any FINRA member in any principal capacity for one month, and required to requalify by examination as a principal prior to acting in that capacity with any FINRA member. Without admitting or denying the findings, Hochler consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he failed to reasonably supervise a representative’s recommendations to purchase a speculative, unrated debt security to four retail customers. The findings stated that for each recommendation, the representative prepared application documents that included the customer’s risk tolerance, investment objective, age, and concentration in alternative investments and then submitted these application documents to Hochler for review and approval. Despite red flags that the high risk of loss associated with the speculative investments that may not have been consistent with these customers’ profiles, Hochler did not take any steps to confirm that the representative had a reasonable basis for the recommendations before he approved them. The findings also stated that Hochler failed to reasonably supervise another representative’s recommendations to purchase non traditional exchange-traded products for four retail customers. Hochler did not take any steps to confirm that the representative had a reasonable basis for the recommendations. In particular, Hochler took no steps to determine whether the recommendations were consistent with the customers’ age and investment objectives. In addition, Hochler took no steps to ensure that the representative understood the complex products he was recommending, or that the recommendations were consistent with the intended holding periods of these complex products. The suspension was in effect from April 6, 2026, through May 5, 2026. (FINRA Case #2021069370602) If you have suffered losses as a result of Lester Joel Hochler'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 Lester Joel Hochler. 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 866-330-6707 or email Matthew Schwartz directly at mschwartz@tslfirm.com.