10 Worst Financial Advisors in America: 2023

7. Jason J. Eaton

Charge: Attempted Murder

Jason J. Eaton, charged in Vermont in November with shooting three college students of Palestinian descent, worked as a financial advisor from time to time over two decades. He faces three charges for attempted second-degree murder, according to reports.

Vice News, citing social media posts and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) records, reported that Eaton, 48 when arrested, had worked as an advisor in Vermont and New York at various times since 2002.

FINRA’s BrokerCheck shows Jason James Eaton worked at five firms over those years, including Cuso Financial Services in Williston, Vermont, from Jan. 17 until Nov. 10 this year. The three young men were shot in Burlington on Nov. 25.

Eaton’s past engagements included stints at TD Ameritrade and Edward Jones in New York state, according to FINRA, which lists him as a previously registered broker and investment advisor.
ThinkAdvisor sister publication Credit Union Times reported that Eaton was fired from Cuso 17 days before the 20-year-old students were shot, citing a Cuso spokesperson as saying his employment was terminated on Nov. 8.

“We are horrified by the shooting and are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate. We have no further comment,” the spokesperson told the publication, which noted that law enforcement authorities were investigating the shootings as potential hate crimes.

Eaton pleaded not guilty to attempted murder charges and was ordered held without bond, Reuters reported last month. VTDigger reported on Dec. 13 that Eaton’s lawyers agreed to drop their challenge to holding him without bail.

Credit: Burlington Police Department