According to FINRA, Charles Scott Burford appealed an OHO decision to the NAC. He was fined $10,000 and suspended for six months for executing unauthorized trades in, and facilitating unauthorized withdrawals from, his deceased customer's account. Burford did not submit the customer's death certificate to his firm until over 14 months after the customer's death. Prior to submitting the certificate, Burford executed unauthorized trades and facilitated withdrawals on instructions from the customer's widow. He executed sales totaling $129,972.03 and facilitated withdrawals of $84,669.87. Burford only ceased activity when he learned the deceased customer's daughter planned to contest the will. Even then, he failed to inform the firm about the improper transactions until the daughter's attorney raised potential firm liability. Trading in deceased persons' accounts is strictly prohibited and can result in disputes among heirs and beneficiaries.