According to FINRA, Damon Manuel Perez of St. Johns, Florida was barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities for refusing to produce information and documents requested by FINRA during an investigation that arose from a regulatory tip.

When FINRA receives tips about potential misconduct by registered persons, it investigates to determine whether violations occurred and whether investors were harmed. The information and documents requested from the subject of an investigation are typically essential to understanding the alleged conduct.

Perez's refusal to provide the requested materials prevented FINRA from completing its investigation. As a result, the specific nature of the conduct alleged in the regulatory tip remains uninvestigated.

A bar from the securities industry is a permanent sanction that removes an individual from positions where they could potentially harm investors. When someone refuses to cooperate with a FINRA investigation, the bar serves both as a sanction for the non-cooperation and as protection for the investing public.

The obligation to cooperate with FINRA investigations is a condition of registration in the securities industry. All registered persons agree to this obligation when they register, and failure to comply results in the most serious sanction available—a permanent bar.

For investors who may have worked with Perez, this bar should prompt careful review of account activity and any recommendations he made. If you have concerns about transactions in your account, you may wish to consult with a securities attorney about your options.

Information about any registered person's employment history, qualifications, and regulatory history is available through FINRA BrokerCheck.