Federal securities regulators barred the head of a Greenwood Village investment banking firm from associating with any firm after he refused to attend an investigative hearing into his conduct.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which oversees the conduct of those who work in the securities industry, said Monday it had barred Janco Partners CEO Jan E. Helen from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity — including any clerical position.
Helen, 67, agreed to the sanction without admitting or denying responsibility for the conduct FINRA was investigating, according to a copy of the agreement.
Helen, a former ski champion, said he was appealing the case.
“It’s a sensitive matter and I cannot comment,” he said Monday.
FINRA said it was investigating allegations that Helen had converted or misused investor funds and requested an in-person interview as part of its inquiry, which Helen refused to attend.
It’s the second time Helen faced FINRA discipline. In 2012 he was fined $22,500 and suspended for two weeks for failing to establish escrow accounts for money he was raising, and then for not returning those investments when he had not reached the minimum contingency amount established on the offering, according to FINRA records.
Helen has run Janco Partners since 1996 with emphasis in telecommunications, real estate, and oil and gas.
The company was operating as normal Monday, Helen said.
David Migoya: 303-954-1506, dmigoya@denverpost.com or
