[ by Melanie Gretchen and Howard Haykin ] A "career agent" broker with Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, an affiliate of EquiTrust Marketing Services, one day received a check from the employer that was payable to another broker.  Rather than simply hand over the check, the broker endorsed the check and deposited it into his personal bank account several days later. Who's The Broker? Ryan Adams worked out of the Des Moines, IA, office of Farm Bureau, and held a Series 6 license - Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Rep.  It was probably Adams's first and only "Wall Street" job, and it's safe to assume that, in mid-2010, he was having a difficult time generating commissions. Imagine his surprise, then delight, on 3/8/10, when Adams was delivered a annuity withdrawal check for $2, 883.12 - even if it was payable to another broker.  Several days later, Adams endorsed and deposited the check into his personal bank account. A Firm Internal Investigation, Referral to Insurance Regulators, then FINRA Comes In. Firm repeatedly ask Adams about the check but he denied any knowledge of it.  Finally, on 4/27/10, Adams admitted that he deposited the check and on 5/6 wrote  a check to reimburse Farm Bureau- but the check was returned because his account had been frozen or blocked. Farm Bureau referred the matter to the Fraud Division of the Utah Department of Insurance, which investigated the case and charged with wrongful misappropriations.  In a plea agreement, Adams paid restitution to Farm Bureau.  Around that time, the firm terminated his employment and file a Form U-5 which noted the termination was for cause. FINRA saw the "for cause" reason on the form and initiated an investigation.  But Adams never responded to FINRA correspondence. FINRA Sanctions. FINRA barred Adams from the industry for his having pleaded guilty to a Class A misdemeanor, and for failing to respond to FINRA's investigation. For further details, go to [FINRA AWC #2010023238301] and [May Disciplinary Actions 2012].