According to FINRA, Linda Lucille Sokol Francis has been barred from association with any FINRA member in all capacities for refusing to provide documents and information requested by FINRA.

FINRA's investigation was based on allegations made by Sokol Francis's member firm on a Form U5 filing. The Form U5 disclosed that Sokol Francis was discharged because she utilized discretion in brokerage accounts without written authorization.

Unauthorized discretionary trading occurs when a representative makes trades in a customer's account without obtaining the customer's consent for each transaction and without having written authorization to exercise discretion. This practice is prohibited because it removes the customer's control over their own investment decisions.

Discretionary authority requires written authorization from the customer and acceptance by the firm. Without this documentation, customers have no way to prove what authority they granted, and firms cannot properly supervise the representative's trading activity.

Sokol Francis's refusal to cooperate with FINRA's investigation resulted in a bar from the securities industry. The underlying allegations of unauthorized discretionary trading are serious because they involve making investment decisions for customers without their knowledge or consent.

Investors should carefully review their account statements for trades they did not authorize. If you notice transactions you don't recognize or didn't approve, contact your firm immediately. Unless you have signed a discretionary trading agreement, your representative should be obtaining your consent before each trade.

If you were a customer of Linda Lucille Sokol Francis and believe trades were made in your account without your authorization, you should consult with a securities attorney.