NFA ACTION: Proficiency exam abuses

The NFA revoked the registrations of Jeremy J. Grena, Nabil P. Niman, Nicholas P. Payne, William M. Rill and Alexander M. Silverman, former associated persons of Pioneer Commodities LLC (Pioneer) and Windsor Wealth Management LLC, firms based in Boca Raton, Florida.

A designated Subcommittee of NFA’s Membership Committee issued the Final Orders revoking registration because the APs had misrepresented that English was not their primary language in order to receive additional time to complete the Series 3 examination, a proficiency exam all individuals registering to become an AP must pass.

The Subcommittee declined to revoke the registrations of Teresia A. Bactawar and Lusay A. Wooten. The Subcommittee found that Wooten and Bactawar truthfully represented that English was not their primary language.

The Final Orders reinforce NFA’s continuing efforts to prevent proficiency exam abuses. Pioneer, a former introducing broker Member of NFA, was permanently barred from NFA membership in August 2009 for its misrepresentations and failure to supervise its Series 3 training. See previous press release.

The Final Orders become effective April 1, 2010. Grena, Nilman, Payne, Rill and Silverman may file a Notice of Appeal with the Commodity CFTC.

About The Author

Felix Shipkevich

Felix Shipkevich is a Manhattan-based attorney and general counsel for Shipkevich Law Firm. He has extensive experience working with the CFTC and NFA on registration, compliance, and enforcement issues for CPOs, CTAs, FCMs, IBs, and RFEDs. Felix also practices intellectual property and corporate governance law.