Our firm is investigating former EF Hutton LLC and Aegis Capital Corp stockbroker Keith Dagostino (CRD# 2837860) of Woodbury, New York for potential investment-related misconduct.
Stockbroker’s Career History
BrokerCheck reflects that Dagostino is not currently registered and was previously registered with multiple broker-dealers over his career. His reported registration history includes EF Hutton LLC (10/2023–10/2024), Aegis Capital Corp. (10/2014–11/2023), Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated (05/2010–10/2014), Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (07/2005–06/2010), Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., Inc. (12/2003–07/2005), Wachovia Securities, LLC (12/2003), Quick & Reilly, Inc. (11/2002–12/2003), and Ladenburg Capital Management Inc. (03/1997–11/2002).
Keith Michael Dagostino Fraud Allegations and Investor Complaints Explained
BrokerCheck reports 1 regulatory event and 24 customer disputes for Dagostino. The BrokerCheck disclosure matrix reflects customer disputes that are both pending and finalized (including settled matters).
FINRA Regulatory Action (Acceptance, Waiver & Consent)
FINRA disclosed a regulatory action initiated and resolved on December 17, 2025 (AWC), reflecting findings that Dagostino willfully violated the Care Obligation under Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(1) (Reg BI) in connection with recommendations to retired and senior investors. According to the AWC, FINRA found he recommended speculative, low-priced securities from microcap issuers to 10 customers with low risk tolerance and capital preservation/income objectives, resulting in over $1.8 million in losses that the member firm repaid. FINRA imposed a 24-month suspension (01/05/2026–01/04/2028) and a $25,000 fine.
Selected Customer Disputes and Allegations Reported on BrokerCheck
Below is a representative sample of the customer dispute disclosures reflected in the BrokerCheck report (the report reflects additional customer disputes beyond those summarized here).
- Customer Dispute (Settled) – FINRA arbitration (Docket 25-00283): Complaint received 02/11/2025 alleging unsuitable investments (including structured products), breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence; settlement reported at $150,000 (status date 12/16/2025).
- Customer Dispute (Settled): Complaint received 06/18/2024 alleging over-concentration, suitability issues, and poor performance; alleged damages reported at $600,000; settlement reported at $409,000 (status date 01/29/2025).
- Customer Dispute (Settled) – FINRA arbitration (Docket 24-01777): Complaint received 08/19/2024 with a stated time frame of December 2022 to November 2023 alleging unsuitable transactions, unauthorized trading, excessive trading, misrepresentations/omissions, and breach of fiduciary duty; alleged damages $589,000; settlement reported at $26,000 (status date 06/10/2025).
- Customer Dispute (Settled) – FINRA arbitration (Docket 24-01807): Complaint received 08/22/2024 alleging an unsuitable investment strategy and breach of fiduciary duty; alleged damages $1,000,000; settlement reported at $496,500 (status date 06/13/2025).
- Customer Dispute (Settled) – FINRA arbitration (Docket 24-01523): Complaint received 07/15/2024 alleging unsuitable investment strategy; settlement reported at $800,000 (status date 07/30/2025).
- Customer Dispute (Settled): Complaint received 05/07/2024 alleging unsuitable recommendations and account mismanagement; settlement reported at $1,461,600 (status date 09/18/2024).
- Customer Dispute (Settled): Complaint received 05/02/2024 alleging unsuitable recommendations and account mismanagement; settlement reported at $538,400 (status date 09/18/2024).
- Customer Dispute (Settled) – FINRA arbitration (Docket 24-00751): Complaint received 04/05/2024 alleging unsuitability, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of contract, and excessive trading involving structured notes; alleged damages $500,000; settlement reported at $225,000 (status date 02/27/2025).
- Customer Dispute (Settled) – FINRA arbitration (Docket 24-00204): Complaint received 01/26/2024 alleging unsuitability, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud; settlement reported at $820,000 (status date 12/17/2024).
- Customer Dispute (Settled): Complaint received 11/03/2023 alleging poor performance; settlement reported at $60,000 (status date 12/14/2023).
- Customer Dispute (Settled) – FINRA arbitration (Docket 23-02224): Complaint received 08/15/2023 alleging unsuitable investments; settlement reported at $500,000 (status date 10/18/2024).
Disclosures (bulleted for context; representative sample):
- Regulatory Action (FINRA) – Final; AWC (12/17/2025): Willful Reg BI Care Obligation violation findings; alleged losses over $1.8 million; 24-month suspension and $25,000 fine.
- Customer Disputes – Multiple (Settled / some pending per report matrix): Allegations across matters include unsuitable investment strategy/recommendations, over-concentration, unauthorized trading, excessive trading, misrepresentations/omissions, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and account mismanagement, with multiple disclosed settlement amounts.
To obtain a copy of Keith Michael Dagostino’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, visit this link.
Robert Wayne Pearce Is Committed to Recovering Your Investment Losses
FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability) generally requires a broker to have a reasonable basis to believe a recommendation is suitable for a particular customer based on the customer’s investment profile; allegations that retired or senior investors with capital-preservation objectives were steered into speculative, low-priced, or otherwise high-risk securities can be evaluated through whether the recommendations matched those stated objectives and risk tolerance.
FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles of Trade) is a broad ethical rule that can be implicated when disputes involve alleged misrepresentations or omissions, including allegations that the risks of microcap securities, structured products, or concentrated equity strategies were not fairly presented or were implemented in a manner inconsistent with honest practice.
FINRA Rule 3260 (Discretionary Accounts) generally restricts a broker from exercising discretion in a customer account without prior written authorization and firm acceptance; customer allegations involving unauthorized trading or excessive trading may raise questions about whether trades were executed without proper authority, without appropriate approvals, or without adequate customer consent.
For over 45 years, Robert Wayne Pearce has helped investors recover losses caused by broker fraud, negligence, and unsuitable recommendations. His firm, The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., represents clients nationwide on a no-recovery, no-fee basis. Call (800) 732-2889 or email pearce@rwpearce.com for a free case review with an experienced securities attorney.
