Author fires back at ex-employer

By Transcript Staff

During a stint of employment with Merrill Lynch, author Keith Schooley was at the least disappointed at the practices he saw.

In his book, “Merrill Lynch: The Cost Could Be Fatal – My War Against Wall Street’s Giant,” the Enid resident chronicles his battles with Wall Street’s largest firm.

The events led the financial consultant to a courtroom battle with the company and eventually to presenting his case in “the court of public opinion” with his book.

...Schooley filed his first complaints with the company while an employee there in 1992. He was terminated from his position during investigations into the complaints and brought a wrongful termination lawsuit against the company.

“Unfortunately, I was denied a jury trial,” he said....“The case went to arbitration by the New York Stock Exchange, a process that I believe Merrill Lynch, because of its corporate clout, was able to fully control.”

From there he battled the company for 10 more years before writing the book, which details his struggle and allegations against the company.

Even some appearances to discuss the work have brought controversy.

A news release last month documented the decision by Steve’s Books and Magazines in Tulsa to cancel a late February book signing at the last minute due to “too much static” from Merrill Lynch employees, Schooley said he was told by store owner Steve Stephenson.