State Investigating Eastside Financial Advisor

An Eastside wealth management business is closed as state investigators look into accusations its owner may have misused her customers' money.

Rhonda Breard, owner of Breard and Associates Wealth Management in Kirkland, has appeared on local radio and TV giving money advice.

Documents obtained by KIRO 7 show the state is looking into what Breard might have done with her clients' money.

In an online Eastside magazine, Breard said her life philosophy is "helping others in any way I can."

But on Wednesday, her plush Kirkland office at Breard and Associates was closed. No one answered the phone there or at Breard's waterfront home in Renton.

According to documents compiled by the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Breard was recently "discharged" from her job as a registered representative for ING Financial Partners Inc, for, "violation of firm policy regarding the handling of customer funds."

The documents further detail that Breard is under investigation for the alleged "alteration of customer statements and improper handling of customer checks."

The DFI said it doesn't know how much money was involved or how many clients.

The DFI said it's just beginning an investigation and would like to hear from any of Breard's clients. Clients can contact the DFI's Suzanne Sarason at (360) 902-8734.

The agency also said it's too early to know whether any of this will lead to possible criminal charges. They're just allegations at this point.

But the documents obtained by KIRO 7 reveal Breard has been investigated, fined and suspended for wrongdoing before.

ING did not return KIRO 7's phone calls seeking comment on Breard's termination.