Document:

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                                                                   Exhigit 10.50

                    SEVERANCE AGREEMENT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE

         This Severance Agreement, Waiver, and Release (the "Agreement"), dated
as of March 9, 2004, is entered into by Victor Rivas ("Rivas") and Ladenburg
Thalmann & Co. Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Ladenburg").

         WHEREAS, Rivas has been employed by Ladenburg as its Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ladenburg
Thalmann Financial Services Inc., the Company's parent ("LTFS"), pursuant to the
parties' Employment Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2001 (collectively, the
"Employment Agreement");

         WHEREAS, Rivas now desires to retire from his positions with LTFS,
Ladenburg and each of LTFS' and Ladenburg's subsidiaries and affiliates
(collectively, the "Company");

         WHEREAS, the parties mutually desire to resolve any and all disputes
between them, including all issues pertaining to the amount and calculation of
compensation and benefits due under the Employment Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the acts, payments, covenants, and
mutual agreements herein described and agreed to be performed, Rivas and the
Company agree as follows (capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Employment Agreement):

         1.       Effective as of the close of business on March 31, 2004, Rivas
                  shall be deemed to have resigned from all positions with the
                  Company.

         2.       In connection with Rivas' resignation, the Company shall pay
                  Rivas, as severance, a lump sum of $448,907.10 (representing
                  the remainder of Rivas' salary, Guaranteed Bonus and any
                  Override under the Employment Agreement and 26 days of unused
                  vacation) by the close of business on March 31, 2004.

         3.       The Company shall continue to pay or provide, consistent with
                  the Company's prior practices applicable to Rivas immediately
                  prior to the date hereof as if Rivas is an active employee of
                  the Company, health benefits for Rivas (and his dependents)
                  and all other benefits described in Section 7(E)(2) of the
                  Employment Agreement, until the earlier of (i) Rivas' 65th
                  birthday, and (ii) the date Rivas becomes eligible to be
                  covered under another substantially equivalent program by
                  reason of employment or consultancy elsewhere.

         4.       Rivas shall be entitled to retain his personal computer and
                  laptop (collectively, the "Computers") used during the term of
                  the Employment Agreement; provided, however, that the Company
                  shall be entitled to remove from the hard drive of such
                  Computers all files related to the business of the Company.

         5.       Effective March 31, 2004, the Employment Agreement shall be
                  deemed terminated, except for the provisions of Sections 5(C),
                  6 and 8 thereof which shall survive termination of the
                  Employment Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the
                  restrictive covenants provided in Section 6 of the Employment
                  Agreement (other than Section 6(A)) shall terminate on August
                  24, 2004.

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         6.       The terms and provisions of the Indemnification Agreement
                  between Rivas and LTFS, dated as of May 7, 2001
                  ("Indemnification Agreement"), shall remain in full force and
                  effect and shall survive termination of the Employment
                  Agreement.

         7.       The terms and provisions of the Stock Option Agreement, dated
                  May 7, 2001, between LTFS and Rivas and the Stock Option
                  Agreement, dated January 10, 2002, between LTFS and Rivas
                  shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with the
                  terms of such option agreements.

         8.       By the close of business on March 31, 2004, the Company shall
                  pay Rivas a lump sum equal to earned and unpaid base salary
                  and any unpaid business expenses as of March 31, 2004. In
                  addition, the Company shall pay or provide Rivas with any
                  other amounts or benefits owing to Rivas under any employee
                  benefit plans of the Company as of March 31, 2004, which shall
                  be paid or provided in accordance with the terms of the
                  applicable plan. All payments and benefits described in this
                  paragraph are referred to herein collectively as the "Accrued
                  Amounts."

COMPLETE RELEASE

         In consideration of the Company's obligations stated above, Rivas
hereby forever releases the Company, its past and present employees, officers,
directors, parent companies, subsidiaries, divisions, successors and assigns
from all claims Rivas may now have based on his employment with the Company or
the separation of that employment through the date of execution of this
Agreement to the maximum extent permitted by law. This includes a release, to
the maximum extent permitted by law, of any rights or claims Rivas may have
under: (1) the Age Discrimination Employment Act, which generally prohibits age
discrimination in employment; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which
generally prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, national
origin, religion or sex; the Equal Pay Act, which generally prohibits paying men
and women unequal pay for equal work; the Americans with Disabilities Act, which
generally prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability; the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, which governs the provision of pension
and welfare benefits; and all other federal, state or local laws prohibiting
employment discrimination, or (2) Section 806 of 18 U.S.C. 1514A, which
generally provides certain protection for employees of publicly traded companies
and all other federal, state or local laws providing similar protection. This
also includes a release by Rivas of any claims for wrongful discharge, any
compensation claims (other than as provided in this Agreement) or any other
claims under any statute, rule, regulation, or under the common law. This
release covers both claims known and unknown to Rivas based on his employment
with the Company or the separation of that employment through the date of
execution of this Agreement.

         Rivas further promises never to file or voluntarily participate or
voluntarily assist in any lawsuit, arbitration or other legal action asserting
any claims that are released under this Agreement, provided, however, that
nothing herein shall restrict Rivas' ability to respond to any inquiry from
applicable regulatory authorities or to provide information pursuant to legal
process or to participate in any lawsuit, arbitration or other legal action
pursuant to legal process. If Rivas breaches this Section and files a lawsuit or
arbitration based on legal claims that he has released and the court or
arbitrator decides in favor of the Company, Rivas will pay for all costs
incurred by the Company, including reasonable attorneys' fees, in defending
against such claim.

         In consideration of Rivas providing the Company with the release as
referenced above, the Company for itself, and on behalf of its past, present
and/or future parent companies, and any and all of its or their subsidiaries,
divisions, employee benefit and/or pension plans or funds, successors and
assigns, and all of its or their past and/or present employees, directors,
attorneys and assigns, hereby forever

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releases Rivas, his heirs, successors and assigns, from any and all claims
(whether known or unknown) it may now have based upon his employment with the
Company, the separation or termination of that employment, his holding any
office or position with the Company or any employee benefit plan through the
date of execution of this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted by law.

         The Company further promises and covenants not to voluntarily
participate or assist in any lawsuit, arbitration or other legal action
asserting any claims that are released under this Agreement, provided, however,
that nothing herein shall restrict the Company's ability to provide complete
information concerning Rivas' employment when required to do so under applicable
law, rule or regulatory requirements. If the Company breaches this Section and
files a lawsuit or arbitration based upon legal claims that it has released and
the court or arbitrator decides in favor of Rivas, the Company agrees that it
will pay for all costs incurred by Rivas, including reasonable attorneys' fees,
in defending against the Company's claim.

         Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing contained
herein shall release any claims: (i) Rivas or the Company may have to enforce
their rights under this Agreement or the Indemnification Agreement; or (ii)
Rivas may have to any vested or accrued benefits under any 401(k) plan, under
any stock option agreement between him and the Company, or as a shareholder of
the Company.

RETURN OF MATERIALS

         At the Company's request, Rivas will promptly deliver to the Company
all memoranda, notes, records, reports, customer lists, manuals, drawings and
other documents (and all copies thereof) relating to the business of the Company
and all property associated therewith (excluding the Computers), which he may
now possess or have under his control (other than his rolodex or similar address
and telephone directories, any documents provided to Rivas in his capacity as a
participant in any employee benefit plan or program, any agreement between Rivas
and the Company with regard to Rivas' employment with, or termination from, the
Company and any information that is required for the preparation of Rivas'
personal tax return).

FUTURE COOPERATION

         Rivas agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company and its legal
advisors in connection with business matters in which Rivas was involved or any
claims investigations, administrative proceedings or lawsuits which relate to
his employment with the Company and of which Rivas has knowledge. Any request
for cooperation will be upon reasonable advance notice and in writing. All
cooperation from Rivas will be at mutually convenient times and locations and
shall be subject to Rivas' personal and business commitments. The Company shall
pay Rivas' reasonable out of pocket expenses in connection with such
cooperation, and the Company will pay Rivas an hourly rate mutually agreed to
between the parties at the time the Company requests Rivas' reasonable
cooperation (other than for cooperation during court testimony).

RIGHT TO RECOVER PAYMENTS; ARBITRATION

         If Rivas materially violates his obligations under this Agreement (as
determined by a court or arbitrator), and fails to cure such violation(s) within
fifteen business days following receipt of notice from the Company specifically
setting forth the obligation(s) violated, the paragraph(s) violated and the
actions and/or inactions constituting the violation(s), the Company's
obligations under this Agreement shall cease (other than any rights to
indemnification or directors' and officers' insurance or the Accrued Amounts).
Any controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be submitted
to one arbitrator in New

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York City pursuant to the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment
Disputes of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator's award shall
be final and binding on all parties, and judgment may be entered on an
arbitrator's award in any court having competent jurisdiction. The losing party
shall pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, incurred by
the prevailing party in any such arbitration.

NO MITIGATION/SET-OFF

Rivas is not required to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate the amount
of any payments to be made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and there
shall be no offset against any amounts due to Rivas under this Agreement on
account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that Rivas
may obtain. The Company's obligation to pay or provide Rivas with the amounts
and benefits provided under this Agreement shall not be subject to set-off,
counterclaim, or recoupment of amounts owed by Rivas to the Company except for
any specific amounts that Rivas agrees he owes to the Company.

CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEY

         Rivas hereby confirms that he has been advised to consult with an
attorney concerning this Agreement and acknowledges that he has had ample
opportunity to do so before signing said Agreement.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

         This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and cannot be altered except in
writing signed by both parties. Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms
of this Agreement and the Indemnification Agreement supersede any other oral or
written arrangement between Rivas and the Company with respect to Rivas'
employment or the separation of his employment by the Company (other than any
stock option or other equity agreement). Both parties acknowledge that no
representations were made to induce execution of this Agreement which are not
expressly contained in this Agreement.

SUCCESSORSHIP; CONTROLLING LAW

         This Agreement will be binding on the Company and its successors and
assigns and will also be binding on Rivas, his heirs, administrators, executors
and assigns. This Agreement shall be assignable by the Company only to an
acquirer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Company
shall require any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation, acquisition of stock, or otherwise, to expressly assume and agree
to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the
Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
This Agreement will be construed under the law of the State of New York, without
regard to conflict of law principles.

PERIOD FOR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF AGREEMENT

         Rivas understands that he has a period of twenty-one (21) days from the
date of this Agreement to review and consider this Agreement before signing it.
Rivas may use as much of this twenty-one (21) day period as he wishes prior to
signing. If Rivas has not signed and returned this Agreement to Ladenburg
Thalmann & Co. Inc., at the address provided under the "Notice" paragraph below,
by the date which is twenty-one (21) days after the date of this Agreement,
Rivas will not be eligible to receive the payments

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and benefits described in this Agreement (provided, notwithstanding the
foregoing, that the Employment Agreement, the Indemnification Agreement and any
stock option agreements between the Company and Rivas shall continue in
accordance with their terms).

EMPLOYEE'S RIGHTS TO REVOKE AGREEMENT

         Rivas may revoke this Agreement within seven (7) days of signing it.
Revocation can be made by delivering a written notice of revocation to Joseph
Giovanniello Jr., at the address noted in the following paragraph. If Rivas
revokes this Agreement, it will not be effective or enforceable and Rivas will
not receive the payments described herein (provided, notwithstanding the
foregoing, that the Employment Agreement, the Indemnification Agreement and any
stock option agreements between the Company and Rivas shall continue in
accordance with their terms).

NOTICE

         For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given when personally delivered or mailed by United States certified
or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the
Company at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., 590 Madison Avenue, 34th Floor, New
York, New York 10022, Legal Department, Attn: Joseph Giovanniello Jr. and to
Rivas at his principal residence, as contained in the most recent records of the
Company, with a copy to Proskauer Rose LLP, Andrea S. Rattner, Esq., at 1585
Broadway, New York, New York 10036 or to such other address as either party may
have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that
notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice sent to Proskauer Rose LLP shall not
constitute valid notice under this Agreement.

MISCELLANEOUS

         The Company shall pay Rivas' reasonable attorneys' fees in connection
with the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.

         In the event of Rivas' death, or a judicial determination of his
incompetence, the compensation and benefits due to Rivas under this Agreement
shall be paid to his estate or legal representative.

         The Company hereby represents and warrants that the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company, and
all actions required to execute and perform this Agreement have been duly
authorized by the Company.

         This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an
original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon
the same instrument.

                                          LADENBURG THALMANN & CO. INC.

                                            By: /s/ Robert Gorczakowski
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name: Robert Gorczakowski
                                                Title: President

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AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

By: /s/ Salvatore Giardina
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Name:  Salvatore Giardina
    Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

/s/ Victor M. Rivas
----------------------------------------------
    Victor M. Rivas

Date: March 9, 2004

                                       6<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.51

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), dated as of the 9th day of March,
2004 (the "Effective Date"), by and between LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL
SERVICES INC. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, and CHARLES I. JOHNSTON
("Executive").

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") wishes
Executive to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and
various of its subsidiaries; and

         WHEREAS, Executive is willing to provide his services and experience to
the Company and its subsidiaries in such capacities upon the terms, conditions
and provisions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual
representations, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1. TERM: The term of the Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date
and continue until terminated as provided in Section 7 below.

         2. EMPLOYMENT:

                  (A) Subject to the terms and conditions and for the
compensation hereinafter set forth, the Company hereby agrees to employ
Executive for and during the term of this Agreement. Commencing April 1, 2004,
Executive shall serve as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer.
Executive's powers and duties shall be those of an executive nature which are
appropriate for a President and Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the
Company's By-Laws; and Executive does hereby accept such employment and agrees
to devote his full business time to the performance of his duties upon the
conditions hereinafter set forth. Executive shall report to the Board. During
the period from the Effective Date until April 1, 2004, Executive shall assist
the Company in transition matters. The Company shall not require Executive to be
employed in any location other than the metropolitan New York area unless he
consents in writing to such location. Commencing April 1, 2004, Executive also
shall serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company's subsidiary,
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. ("Ladenburg").

                  (B) During the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be
furnished with office space and facilities commensurate with his position and
adequate for the performance of his duties; Executive also shall be provided
with the perquisites customarily associated with the position of President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. During the term of this Agreement, the
Company and Ladenburg shall use their best efforts to cause Executive to be
nominated to serve as a director of the Company and Ladenburg, and Executive
agrees to serve as a director of the Company and Ladenburg, if so appointed,
without additional compensation.

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                  (C) CHARITABLE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES: Executive shall be
allowed, to the extent such activities do not substantially interfere with the
performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder, (i) to manage his
personal, financial and legal affairs, (ii) to be engaged in civic, charitable,
religious and educational activities, and (iii) to serve on other corporate
boards with the prior written approval of the Board.

         3. COMPENSATION:

                  (A) SALARY: During the term of this Agreement, the Company
agrees to pay Executive, and Executive agrees to accept, an annual salary of not
less than Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) per year, payable in
accordance with the Company's policies, for services rendered by Executive
hereunder.

                  (B) INCREASES: The annual salary is subject to periodic
increase at the discretion of the Company's Compensation Committee (the
"Committee") (or the Board in lieu thereof), with such increases to take effect
no later than on each anniversary date of this Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the Committee (or the Board in lieu thereof) shall review the annual salary
for possible increase not less than annually.

                  (C) BONUS: The Executive shall receive a bonus of $10,417 on
April 1, 2004. Thereafter, Executive may be eligible for an annual bonus from
the Company determined in the discretion of the Committee (or the Board in lieu
thereof). In the event that the Company establishes an annual bonus plan for the
benefit of executives of the Company, Executive shall be entitled to participate
in such plan on such terms and conditions determined in the discretion of the
Committee (or the Board in lieu thereof).

                  (D) STOCK OPTIONS: On the Effective Date, the Company shall
grant to Executive from the Company's 1999 Performance Equity Plan or other
comparable plan (the "Stock Option Plan") stock options (the "Stock Options") to
purchase two million five hundred thousand (2,500,000) shares of common stock of
the Company at a purchase price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in
the Stock Option Plan) on the Effective Date, with vesting of such Stock Options
to occur in five annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the
Effective Date, but in any event to be 100% vested upon a Change in Control (as
defined herein), in each case subject to Executive's continued employment
through the applicable vesting date, and with such other terms and conditions as
the Committee shall determine. The terms of the Stock Options shall be subject
to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends and similar transactions as
provided in the Stock Option Plan. Executive also shall be entitled to such
other Stock Options as the Committee shall grant to him at any future date. To
the extent that any Stock Options granted hereunder are not made pursuant to the
Company's 1999 Performance Equity Plan or other plan covered by a registration
statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"),
the Company agrees to file with the SEC, promptly following the Effective Date,
a Form S-8 registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of the Stock Options.

                  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Change in Control"
shall mean:

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                  (i) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation
or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or stock
of the Company (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such
Business Combination, all or substantially all of the individuals or entities
who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the voting securities of the
Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately
prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding voting securities entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the
corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without
limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company
or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through
one or more subsidiaries); or

                  (ii) approval by the Company's shareholders of a complete
dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

         4. EXPENSES: The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable
and actual business expenses incurred by him in connection with his service to
the Company, Ladenburg and/or any direct and/or indirect subsidiaries of such
entities upon submission by him of appropriate vouchers and expense account
reports.

         5. BENEFITS:

                  (A) INSURANCE: The Company shall maintain family medical
insurance for Executive. In addition, Executive and his dependents shall be
entitled to participate in such other benefits as may be extended to active
executive employees of the Company and/or Ladenburg and their dependents
including but not limited to pension, retirement, profit-sharing, 401(k), stock
option, bonus and incentive plans, group insurance, hospitalization, medical or
other benefits made available by the Company to its employees generally.

                  (B) VACATION: Executive shall be entitled to take up to five
(5) weeks paid vacation annually at a time mutually convenient to the Company
and Executive. Any such vacation time not used by Executive in any one year
shall accumulate to his benefit in the succeeding years.

                  (C) DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY INSURANCE: During the term
of this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
obtain and maintain adequate officer and director liability insurance in such
amounts as the Board shall so determine (which in no event shall be less than
$2,000,000) (provided the Company shall not be required to expend on an annual
basis more than 125% of the amount expended in 2003 for such coverage) and
Executive shall be covered at all times by such policy in all of his capacities
with the Company and/or Ladenburg. In addition, for a period of six (6) years
after the termination of Executive's employment with the Company (for cause,
without cause, for reason or no reason, voluntary or involuntarily), the Company
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in effect one or more
policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance with respect to any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising from facts or events
which occurred during the Executive's employment with the Company and/or
Ladenburg and such policy or policies shall be with a carrier or carriers
reasonably satisfactory to the parties intended to be

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benefited thereby, and with limits, exclusions, deductibles and other
characteristics no less favorable than those in place on the date the Executive
ceased being an employee of the Company and/or Ladenburg (provided the Company
shall not be required to expend on an annual basis more than 125% of the amount
expended in 2003 for such coverage). Any and all such policies shall be issued
by leading insurance carriers and shall otherwise be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to those persons who are officers and directors of the
Company as of the date hereof. The provisions of this Section 5(C) shall survive
any termination of this Agreement and/or any termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company.

         6. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS:

                  (A) Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the Company,
Ladenburg and their subsidiaries, through the expenditure of considerable time
and money, have developed and will continue to develop in the future information
concerning customers, clients, marketing, business and operational methods of
the Company, Ladenburg and their subsidiaries and their customers or clients,
contracts, financial or other data, technical data or any other confidential or
proprietary information possessed, owned or used by the Company, Ladenburg and
their subsidiaries, and that the same are confidential and proprietary, and are
"confidential information" of the Company, Ladenburg and their subsidiaries. In
consideration of his continued employment by the Company hereunder, Executive
agrees that he will not, without the consent of the Board, make any disclosure
of confidential information now or hereafter possessed by the Company,
Ladenburg, and/or any of their current or future, direct or indirect
subsidiaries (collectively, the "Group"), to any person, partnership,
corporation or entity either during or after the term hereunder, except to
employees of the Group and to others within or without the Group, as Executive
may deem necessary in order to conduct the Group's business and except as may be
required pursuant to any court order, judgment or decision from any court of
competent jurisdiction. The foregoing shall not apply to information which is in
the public domain on the date hereof; which, after it is disclosed to Executive
by the Group, is published or becomes part of the public domain through no fault
of Executive; which is known to Executive prior to disclosure thereof to him by
the Group as evidenced by his written records; or, after Executive is no longer
employed by the Group, which is thereafter disclosed to Executive in good faith
by a third party which is not under any obligation of confidence or secrecy to
the Group with respect to such information at the time of disclosure to him. The
provisions of this Section 6 shall continue in full force and effect
notwithstanding termination of Executive's employment under this Agreement or
otherwise.

                  (B) Executive agrees that if the Company has made and is
continuing to make all required payments to him upon and after termination of
his employment, then for a period commencing on the date of termination of
Executive's employment pursuant to this Agreement and ending twelve (12) months
thereafter, Executive shall neither directly and/or indirectly (a) solicit, hire
and/or contact any prior (within six (6) months) or then current employee of the
Company and/or Ladenburg nor any of their respective direct and/or indirect
subsidiaries (collectively, the "Applicable Entities"), nor (b) solicit any
business with any prior (within six (6) months of termination) or then current
customer and/or client of the Applicable Entities. In addition, Executive shall
not attempt (directly and/or indirectly) to do anything either by himself or
through others that he is prohibited from doing pursuant to this Section 6.
Given that this Agreement is providing significant benefits to Executive,
Executive hereby agrees that, from the

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<PAGE>

Effective Date until twelve (12) months following Executive's termination of
employment hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Board, he will
not, directly or indirectly, either as principal, manager, agent, consultant,
officer, director, stockholder, partner, investor, lender or employee or in any
other capacity, carry on, be engaged in or have any financial interest in, any
business which is in competition with any business of the Applicable Entities.
For purposes of this section, a business shall be deemed to be in competition
with any business of the Applicable Entities if it is materially involved in the
purchase, sale or other dealing in any property or the rendering of any service
purchased, sold, dealt in or rendered by any member of the Applicable Entities
within the same geographic area in which such member of the Applicable Entities
effects such purchases, sales or dealings or renders such services; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that for the period commencing with the termination of Executive's
employment, a business shall be deemed to be in competition with any business of
the Applicable Entities only if it is materially involved in the retail
brokerage business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be allowed to
make passive investments in publicly held competitive businesses as long as his
ownership is less than 5% of such business.

                  (C) Executive acknowledges that the restrictive covenants (the
"Restrictive Covenants") contained in this Section 6 are a condition of his
continued employment and are reasonable and valid in geographical and temporal
scope and in all other respects. If any court determines that any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part of any of the Restrictive Covenants, is
invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Restrictive Covenants and parts
thereof shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect, without
regard to the invalid portion. If any court determines that any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable because
of the geographic or temporal scope of such provision, such court shall have the
power to reduce the geographic or temporal scope of such provision, as the case
may be, and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable.

                  (D) If Executive breaches, or threatens to breach, any of the
Restrictive Covenants, the Company, in addition to and not in lieu of any other
rights and remedies it may have at law or in equity, shall have the right to
injunctive relief; it being acknowledged and agreed to by Executive that any
such breach or threatened breach would cause irreparable and continuing injury
to the Company and that money damages would not provide an adequate remedy to
the Company.

         7. TERMINATION:

                  (A) DEATH: In the event of Executive's death ("Death") during
the term of his employment, Executive's designated beneficiary, or in the
absence of such beneficiary designation, his estate, shall be entitled to the
Accrued Obligations and to the payment of Executive's salary from date of Death
to the expiration of one (1) year thereafter. In addition, Executive's
beneficiary and/or dependents shall be entitled, for a two (2) year period
following Executive's Death during the term of his employment, to continuation,
at the Company's expense, of such benefits as are then being provided to them
under any plan maintained by the Company that is not qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code. For purposes of this Agreement, "Accrued Obligations" shall
mean (i) all accrued but unpaid salary through the date of termination of
Executive's employment, (ii) any unpaid or unreimbursed expenses incurred in
accordance with this Agreement, and (iii) all compensation or benefits due to
the Executive

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

under the terms and rules of any Company or Ladenburg compensation or benefit
plan in which the Executive participates, including without limitation, any
Company option plans, or otherwise required by applicable law.

         (B) DISABILITY:

                           (i) In the event Executive, by reason of physical or
mental incapacity, shall be disabled for a period of at least six (6)
consecutive months ("Disability"), the Company shall have the option at any time
thereafter to terminate Employee's employment hereunder for Disability. Such
termination will be effective thirty (30) days after the Board gives written
notice of such termination to Executive, unless Executive shall have returned to
the performance of his duties prior to the effective date of the notice. Upon
such termination, Executive shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations and
such benefits to which he and his dependents are entitled by law, and except as
otherwise expressly provided herein, all obligations of the Company hereunder
shall cease upon the effectiveness of such termination other than payment of
salary earned through the date of Disability, provided that such termination
shall not affect or impair any rights Executive may have under any policy of
long term disability insurance or benefits then maintained on his behalf by the
Company. In addition, for a period of two (2) years following termination of
Executive's employment for Disability, Executive and his dependents, as the case
may be, shall continue to be eligible to participate in the group insurance,
hospitalization, medical or other insurance benefits made available by the
Company to its employees generally, but shall not be eligible to participate in
any plans maintained by the Company that are qualified under Section 401(a) of
the Code.

                           (ii) "Incapacity" as used herein shall mean the
inability of the Executive due to physical or mental illness, injury or disease
substantially to perform his normal duties as President and Chief Executive
Officer. Executive's salary as provided for hereunder shall continue to be paid
during any period of incapacity prior to and including the date on which
Executive's employment is terminated for Disability.

                  (C) BY THE COMPANY FOR CAUSE:

                           (i) The Company shall have the right, before the
expiration of the term of this Agreement, to terminate the Executive's
employment hereunder and to discharge Executive for cause (hereinafter "Cause"),
and all compensation to Executive shall cease to accrue upon discharge of
Executive for Cause. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall
mean (i) Executive's conviction of a felony; (ii) the alcoholism or drug
addiction of Executive; (iii) the continued and willful failure by Executive to
substantially and materially perform his material duties hereunder after a
reasonable notice and an opportunity to cure same; (iv) an act or acts of
personal dishonesty by Executive intended to result in personal enrichment of
Executive at the expense of the Company, the Company or any of their
subsidiaries or affiliates or any other material breach or violation of
Executive's fiduciary duty owed to the Company, Ladenburg or any of their
subsidiaries or affiliates; (v) any grossly negligent act or omission or any
willful and deliberate misconduct by Executive that results, or is likely to
result, in material economic, or other harm, to the Company, Ladenburg or any of
their subsidiaries or affiliates; or (vi) an action taken by a regulatory body
or self regulatory organization that substantially impairs the Executive from
performing his duties.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

                           (ii) If the Company elects to terminate Executive's
employment for Cause under (C)(i) above, such termination shall be effective
fifteen (15) days after the Company gives written notice of such termination to
Executive. In the event of a termination of Executive's employment for Cause in
accordance with the provisions of 7(C)(i), the Company shall have no further
obligation to the Executive, except for the payment of the Accrued Obligations
and such benefits to which he and his dependents are entitled by law.

                  (D) RESIGNATION FOR REASON. Executive shall have the right to
terminate his employment at any time for "good reason" (herein designated and
referred to as "Reason"). The term Reason shall mean (i) the Company's failure
or refusal to perform any obligations required to be performed in accordance
with this Agreement after a reasonable notice and an opportunity to cure same,
(ii) a material diminution in Executive's title, duties, responsibilities,
reporting relationship or positions, (iii) the relocation of Executive's
principal office location more than fifty (50) miles from its current location,
and (iv) the failure of the Company or Ladenburg to obtain the assumption in
writing of its obligation to perform this Agreement by any successor to all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company.

                  (E) SEVERANCE: In the event Executive's employment hereunder
shall be terminated by the Company for other than Cause, Death or Disability, or
by Executive for Reason: (i) the Executive shall receive as severance pay in a
lump sum no later than sixty (60) days following such termination, an amount
equal to (a) if Executive's employment is terminated prior to the first
anniversary of the Effective Date (the "First Anniversary"), the amount of
$100,000, and (b) if Executive's employment is terminated on or after the First
Anniversary, one (1) year's salary based on Executive's salary on the date of
termination, (ii) Executive's (and his dependents') participation in any and all
life, disability, medical and dental insurance plans shall be continued, or
equivalent benefits provided to him or them by the Company, at no cost to him or
them, for a period of two (2) years from the termination, (iii) if the
Executive's employment is terminated prior to the First Anniversary, Stock
Options for 100,000 shares of common stock of the Company shall fully vest as of
the date of termination and, notwithstanding the terms of any plan pursuant to
which such Stock Options were granted under, shall remain exercisable for a
period of twelve (12) months from the date of termination; and (iv) Executive
shall be entitled to the Accrued Obligations and such benefits to which he and
his dependents are entitled by law.

                  (F) RESIGNATION WITHOUT REASON: Executive may voluntarily
resign his employment with the Company upon thirty (30) days' written notice to
the Company without any liability to Executive. In the event Executive resigns
without reason prior to the expiration of this Agreement, he shall receive only
the Accrued Obligations and such benefits to which he and his dependents are
entitled by law.

         8. INDEMNIFICATION: The Company and Ladenburg hereby jointly and
severally indemnify and hold Executive harmless to the extent of any and all
claims, suits, proceedings, damages, losses or liabilities incurred by Executive
and arising out of any acts or decisions done or made in the authorized scope of
his employment hereunder. The Company and Ladenburg hereby jointly and severely
agree to pay all expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses (of
the attorney or firm chosen by Executive), actually incurred by Executive (when
such expenses are incurred) in connection with the investigation of any such
matter, the defense

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

of any such action, suit or proceeding and in connection with any appeal thereon
including the cost of settlements. Nothing contained herein shall entitle
Executive to indemnification by the Company and Ladenburg in excess of that
permitted under applicable law. The obligations of the Company and Ladenburg set
forth herein shall survive any termination of this Agreement and/or Executive's
employment with the Company. To the extent this Agreement is inconsistent with
any separate indemnification agreement between Executive and the Company, the
separate indemnification agreement shall prevail.

         9. WAIVER: No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy
accruing to either party hereto shall impair any such right, power or remedy or
shall be construed to be a waiver of or an acquiescence to any breach hereof. No
waiver of any breach hereof shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach
hereof theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver of any provision hereof
shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in the applicable
writing. All remedies afforded to either party under this Agreement, by law or
otherwise, shall be cumulative and not alternative and shall not preclude
assertion by either party of any other rights or the seeking of any other rights
or remedies against the other party.

         10. GOVERNING LAW: The validity of this Agreement or of any of the
provisions hereof shall be determined under and according to the laws of the
State of New York, and this Agreement and its provisions shall be construed
according to the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles
of conflicts of law and the actual domiciles of the parties hereto.

         11. NOTICES: All notices, demands or other communications required or
permitted to be given in connection with this Agreement shall be given in
writing, shall be transmitted to the appropriate party by hand delivery, by
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid or by overnight
carrier and shall be addressed to a party at such party's address shown on the
signature page hereof. A party may designate by written notice given to the
other parties a new address to which any notice, demand or other communication
hereunder shall thereafter be given. Each notice, demand or other communication
transmitted in the manner described in this Section 11 shall be deemed to have
been given and received for all purposes at the time it shall have been (i)
delivered to the addressee as indicated by the return receipt (if transmitted by
mail) or the affidavit of the messenger (if transmitted by hand delivery or
overnight carrier) or (ii) presented for delivery during normal business hours,
if such delivery shall not have been accepted for any reason.

         12. ASSIGNMENTS: This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and each of their respective successors, assigns,
heirs and legal representatives; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Executive may not
assign or delegate his obligations, responsibilities and duties hereunder except
as may otherwise be expressly agreed to in writing by the parties hereto. The
Company and Ladenburg will require any such purchaser, successor or assignee to
expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company and Ladenburg would be required to perform it
if no such purchase, succession or assignment had taken place. If Executive
shall die, all amounts then payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive's devisee, legatee or
other designee or, if there be no such designee, the Executive's estate.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

         13. MISCELLANEOUS: This Agreement contains the entire understanding
between the parties hereto and supersedes all other oral and written agreements
or understandings between them with respect to the subject matter hereof. No
modification or addition hereto or waiver or cancellation of any provision shall
be valid except by a writing signed by the party to be charged therewith.

         14. SEVERABILITY: The parties agree that if any of the covenants,
agreements or restrictions contained herein are held to be invalid by any court
of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the other covenants, agreements,
restrictions and parts thereof herein contained shall be severable so not to
invalidate any others and such other covenants, agreements, restrictions and
parts thereof shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid portion.

         15. ARBITRATION: Any and all disputes, controversies, or differences,
whether arising or commenced during or subsequent to the term hereof, which may
arise between the parties directly and/or indirectly out of or in relation to or
in connection with this Agreement, or for the breach of this Agreement, shall be
settled by arbitration in New York City, New York before three arbitrators under
the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association then in
effect. Each of the arbitrators shall be appointed by the American Arbitration
Association. Such arbitration shall be final and binding and shall be limited to
an interpretation and application of the provisions of this Agreement and any
related agreements or documents. Any arbitral award shall be enforceable in any
court, wherever located, having jurisdiction over the party against whom the
award was rendered. In addition, with respect to any such arbitration or
enforcement proceedings, the losing party thereto shall bear all of its and the
winning parties' attorneys' fees and expenses, court costs, and all other costs
and expenses reasonably associated with such arbitration or enforcement
proceedings (i.e., travel, lodging, telecommunications charges).

         16. LEGAL EXPENSES: The Company will pay Executive for all reasonable
legal fees and expenses in connection with the preparation of this Agreement
(and any agreements related hereto).

         17. SURVIVAL OF OPERATIVE SECTIONS: The respective rights and
obligations of the parties hereto, including, without limitation, the rights and
obligations set forth in Sections 5(c), 6 through 17 of this Agreement, shall
survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to preserve
all such rights and obligations until discharged in full.

         18. COUNTERPARTS: This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The execution of this
Agreement may be by actual or facsimile signature.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.

                                       LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL
                                         SERVICES INC.

                                       By: /s/ Salvatore Giardina
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name: Salvatore Giardina
                                           Title: Vice President and Chief
                                                  Financial Officer

                                       ADDRESS:     590 Madison Avenue
                                                    New York, NY  10022

                                       /s/ Charles I. Johnston
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Charles I. Johnston, Executive

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

LADENBURG THALMANN & CO. INC.

By: /s/ Robert M. Gorczakowski
    --------------------------------
    Name: Robert M. Gorczakowski
    Title: President and Chief
           Operating Officer

ADDRESS:      590 Madison Avenue
              New York, NY  10022

                                      -10-

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