Chicago-based Robbins Futures Inc. and its president, Joel Robbins, might face a fine for failing to notice signs that a client was bilking customers of millions of dollars, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported this week that the allegations stem from a complaint the regulator made last September against a Robbins client, Andrew Duncan, and his company, Bermuda-based Aurum Society Inc.

John Muldoon, Robbins' lawyer, declined to comment until he consults with his client, who is out of the country.

Duncan, who is a Canadian citizen, failed to appear in US District Court in Chicago to defend himself against the allegations on April 3, The Sun-Times said.