FINRA Bars Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Gregory Matthews; Haselkorn & Thibaut Launch Investigation

Financial Advisor Lost My Money

Haselkorn & Thibaut, a national securities fraud law firm, has opened an investigation into former broker Gregory Matthews (CRD #1389823) following his recent bar by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). If you invested with Gregory Matthews during his time at Morgan Stanley or any of his previous firms, you may have legal options to recover your losses.

With over 50 years of combined experience, a 98% success rate, and millions recovered for investors, Haselkorn & Thibaut offers free consultations to investors who may have been harmed. Call 1-888-885-7162 today.

Who Is Gregory Matthews?

Gregory Vincent Matthews, also known as Greg Matthews, is a former registered representative with approximately 38 years of securities industry experience. According to his FINRA BrokerCheck profile, Matthews has been associated with 16 different brokerage firms throughout his career.

His most recent employment was with Morgan Stanley in New York, where he worked from May 2016 through June 2025. His extensive employment history includes notable firms such as:

  • Morgan Stanley
  • Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
  • Auriga USA, LLC
  • StormHarbour Securities LP (expelled by FINRA in 2023)
  • Jefferies & Company, Inc.
  • Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
  • Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

While frequent firm changes are not inherently problematic, investors should consider employment patterns when evaluating a financial professional’s background.

FINRA Bar: February 2026

In February 2026, FINRA permanently barred Gregory Matthews from the securities industry. The bar resulted from his refusal to provide documents and information requested under FINRA Rule 8210.

This rule requires registered representatives to cooperate fully with regulatory investigations. When a broker refuses, FINRA typically imposes its most severe sanction: a permanent industry bar.

According to FINRA’s findings, Matthews:

  • Refused to provide requested documents and information
  • Violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010
  • Is now prohibited from associating with any FINRA member firm in any capacity

A FINRA bar is one of the most serious sanctions in the securities industry. When a broker refuses to cooperate with regulators, investors lose the opportunity for full transparency into potential misconduct.

Morgan Stanley Termination: Red Flags for Investors

Prior to the FINRA bar, Matthews was discharged from Morgan Stanley amid concerning allegations. According to disclosure records, his termination involved:

Allegation Potential Concern
Exercising discretion without prior written authorization in four customer accounts Unauthorized trading
Frequency of trading concerns Potential churning or excessive trading
Questions regarding accuracy of order tickets marked “unsolicited” Possible misrepresentation of recommended trades

These allegations raise significant questions. Unauthorized discretionary trading occurs when a broker makes trades without obtaining proper written consent from the client. Churning involves excessive trading designed to generate commissions rather than benefit the investor. Marking trades as “unsolicited” when they were actually recommended can obscure a broker’s responsibility for unsuitable investments.

Complete Disclosure History

Matthews’ BrokerCheck profile reveals the following disclosures that investors should carefully review:

Year Type Details
2004 Regulatory Matter Regulatory disclosure reported
2004 Customer Dispute Allegations of churning and unauthorized trading (settled)
2025 Employment Separation Discharged from Morgan Stanley amid discretionary trading and trade marking concerns
2026 Regulatory Action FINRA bar for failure to cooperate with investigation

The 2004 customer dispute is particularly noteworthy because it involved allegations of churning and unauthorized trading—the same types of concerns that later appeared in his Morgan Stanley termination. This pattern may be relevant for investors evaluating potential claims.

What Red Flags Should Investors Watch For?

If you worked with Gregory Matthews, consider whether you experienced any of the following:

  • Excessive trading activity that generated significant commissions
  • Trades you did not authorize or were not consulted about
  • Account statements showing “unsolicited” trades that were actually recommended by your broker
  • Unsuitable investment recommendations that did not match your risk tolerance or financial goals
  • Unexpected or significant losses in your investment accounts
  • High turnover rates in your portfolio

These patterns can indicate potential misconduct. Many investors do not realize until later that their accounts were being managed inappropriately.

Your Legal Options

If you invested with Gregory Matthews and suffered losses, you may be able to pursue recovery through FINRA arbitration. This is the standard process for resolving disputes between investors and brokerage firms—not traditional court litigation.

Claims may be available against both the individual broker and the supervising firm if proper oversight was lacking. Common claims in cases like this include:

  • Unauthorized trading
  • Churning and excessive trading
  • Failure to supervise
  • Unsuitable investment recommendations
  • Breach of fiduciary duty

Time limits apply to these claims, so prompt action is important.

Contact Haselkorn & Thibaut for a Free Consultation

Haselkorn & Thibaut is a nationally recognized securities fraud law firm with over 50 years of combined experience representing investors. The firm maintains a 98% success rate and has recovered millions of dollars for clients nationwide.

Importantly, Haselkorn & Thibaut operates on a contingency fee basis—meaning no recovery, no fee. You pay nothing unless they successfully recover money on your behalf.

If you have concerns about your investments with Gregory Matthews or Morgan Stanley, the attorneys at Haselkorn & Thibaut can review your situation and explain your options at no cost.

Call 1-888-885-7162 or visit investmentfraudlawyers.com to schedule your free consultation today.

Taking this step can help you understand what happened in your accounts and whether you have a viable path to recovery. The consultation is confidential and carries no obligation.

Disclaimer: The information contained in any post on this website is derived from publicly available sources and is not guaranteed as to accuracy and often involves allegations which may or may not be proven at some point in the future. All posts are believed to be accurate as of the time of original posting, but the accuracy and details are subject to and expected to change over time and which may contain opinions of the author at the time posted.
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