According to FINRA, Ana Maria Dimco has been named a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that she improperly used her member firm's funds to make personal purchases.

Dimco is accused of incurring $20,157.92 in charges on a corporate card issued to her for personal expenditures, in violation of firm policy. The alleged personal purchases included clothing, travel, a laptop, medical and beauty treatments, and other personal expenses, many made while on approved medical leave from the firm.

The firm requested that Dimco repay the personal charges, which she allegedly failed to do. Because the firm retained financial responsibility for the corporate card, it paid the outstanding balance and withheld $4,964.26 from Dimco's last paycheck to offset part of the cost.

The complaint also alleges that Dimco failed to provide information and documents requested by FINRA as part of its investigation into her unauthorized use of firm funds and a possible failure to disclose an outside business activity. Her failure to respond allegedly impeded FINRA's investigation.

It is important to note that the filing of a complaint represents the initiation of a formal proceeding. Findings as to the allegations have not been made, and this does not represent a decision as to any of the allegations.

What Investors Can Learn: While this matter involves internal firm funds rather than customer assets, misuse of firm resources raises concerns about integrity. Investors should be aware that complaints are public record and can be viewed on FINRA BrokerCheck.