Haselkorn & Thibaut Opens Investigation Into Joseph O’Shea, Former Spartan Capital Securities Advisor in New York, NY
Haselkorn & Thibaut, a national law firm focusing 100% on investor securities arbitration and recovery, has opened a formal investigation into Joseph O’Shea (CRD# 2805483), a former financial advisor in New York, NY most recently affiliated with Spartan Capital Securities. This comprehensive report aims to inform investors about Mr. O’Shea’s regulatory background, areas of concern, and steps you can take if you have questions about your investment accounts. With over 50 years of combined legal experience, a 98% success rate, and a “no recovery, no fee” promise, Haselkorn & Thibaut is ready to help. For a free consultation about your investments, call 1 888-885-7162 today.
Who is Joseph O’Shea?
Table of Contents
Joseph O’Shea is a former financial advisor based in New York City, whose registration with broker-dealer firms dates back nearly three decades. Over the years, he held positions at a variety of financial institutions, most recently as a registered representative of Spartan Capital Securities until 2025. His career path underscores substantial experience in the securities industry, but recent developments have raised red flags for investors.
Employment History
According to regulatory records, Joseph O’Shea’s employment timeline includes:
| Firm Name | Title | From | To | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spartan Capital Securities | Registered Representative | 2022 | 2025 | New York, NY |
| Arete Wealth Management | Representative | 2020 | 2022 | |
| National Securities Corporation | Representative | |||
| Ameriprise Financial Services | Representative | |||
| Pointe Capital | Representative | |||
| RM Stark & Company | Representative | |||
| Harrison Securities | Representative | |||
| Fordham Financial Management | Representative | |||
| Carnegie Investor Services | Representative | |||
| Royce Investment Group | Representative |
Industry Exams Passed:
- Securities Industry Essentials Examination (SIE)
- Uniform Combined State Law Examination (Series 66)
- Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination (Series 63)
- General Securities Representative Examination (Series 7)
Recent Regulatory Action and Sanctions
Concerns regarding Joseph O’Shea’s conduct became public following action by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). In December 2025, Mr. O’Shea was barred from associating with any FINRA-member firm in any capacity. This decision stemmed from his refusal to comply with FINRA’s requirement to provide testimony during an investigation into potential excessive trading in customer accounts while at Spartan Capital Securities.
Key aspects of this regulatory event:
- FINRA requested on-the-record testimony from Mr. O’Shea relating to concerns about excessive or unsuitable trading.
- He declined to appear and provide information, a direct violation of FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.
- As a result, FINRA imposed a bar, effectively ending his ability to work as a broker or associate with any registered firm. He is not currently licensed with any firm or state.
Red Flags: What Investors Should Know
Although customer-initiated complaints and arbitrations are a critical indicator of past sales practice violations, the absence of such claims in Joseph O’Shea’s record does not mean there were no issues. It is the recent regulatory bar—imposed for failing to cooperate with an excessive trading investigation—that raises the most significant red flag here.
Potentially problematic conduct may include:
- Excessive trading (churning): Frequently buying and selling securities in a client’s account mainly to generate commissions.
- Failure to comply with regulatory investigations: Not providing testimony or documents when requested, which can serve as an indicator of deeper compliance concerns.
- High account activity with questionable benefit to the client: Often, churning leads to high fees and little or no improvement in investment returns for clients.
Review of Customer Complaints: The Full Picture
Based on publicly available FINRA and regulatory records through mid-2024, Joseph O’Shea (CRD 2805483) shows a clean slate for customer complaints, arbitrations, and lawsuits:
- No customer-initiated complaints or arbitrations
- No regulatory actions (until December 2025)
- No SEC enforcement or state regulatory actions
- No bankruptcies, unpaid judgments, or tax liens
- No outside business affiliations reported
- No private civil lawsuits involving advisory conduct
Why Investors Should Act Now
Even in the absence of formal customer complaints, the decisive action by FINRA—especially the refusal to provide testimony in an investigation into possible excessive trading—can have significant implications for past and present clients. If you worked with Joseph O’Shea at Spartan Capital Securities or any prior firm, it is crucial to review your investment records for signs of:
- Unusual or excessive trading activity
- High commission charges or fees
- Investment losses inconsistent with your risk tolerance or stated objectives
Haselkorn & Thibaut can assist by conducting a free, confidential review of your accounts to determine if there are grounds for further action. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you recover losses—there is absolutely no cost unless we are successful. Call 1 888-885-7162 for a free consultation today, or connect via our website to request your free portfolio review.
Summary Table: Joseph O’Shea (CRD 2805483) – Regulatory History Snapshot
| Issue | Status/Details |
|---|---|
| Customer Complaints | None reported |
| Arbitration Cases | None |
| Regulatory/Sanction | FINRA bar (Dec. 2025) for failing to provide testimony in excessive trading investigation |
| Civil Lawsuits | None found |