Finra bars broker it was investigating for taking customer funds

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. has barred former broker James Knee for failing to take part in a hearing looking into his activities at two former employers, Ameriprise and Voya. Finra said it was investigating allegations that Mr. Knee misappropriated customer funds while registered with the firms. Mr. Knee was affiliated with Ameriprise from 2012 to 2015, when he joined Voya, which discharged him in August 2016. Ameriprise said the discharge was due to Mr. Knee's "failure to cooperate in an internal investigation relating to his potential receipt of a cash gift from a customer." Mr. Knee began his securities career in 1988 at Hopper Soliday and worked at six other firms before joining Ameriprise.