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Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments settled a claim for $9.5 million related to the sale of alternative investments to a Native American tribe, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, by former Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments broker Gopi Vungarala (CRD# 4856193). It … Continue reading
Erez Law is currently investigating Merrill Lynch broker Jeffrey Smith (CRD# 1908011) regarding unsuitable investment recommendations. Smith has been registered with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated in Farmington Hills, Michigan since 1989. Smith has been the subject of … Continue reading
Erez Law is currently investigating former PFS Investments Inc. broker Derrick Trussell (CRD# 5197550) regarding unauthorized trades. Trussell was registered with PFS Investments Inc. in San Antonio, Texas from 2006 to 2017, when he was terminated regarding, “PFSI received allegation … Continue reading
In June 2019, GPB Capital Holdings reported losses in the value of two of its investment funds: GPB Holdings II and GPB Automotive Portfolio. GPB Holdings II saw a decline in value of 25.4% and GPB Automotive Portfolio have decreased … Continue reading
In May 2019, a group of former clients of Raymond James & Associates, Inc. won an award in a FINRA arbitration for $1,790,003.17, which included $1.019 in compensatory damages, $200,000 in punitive damages, $422,000 in attorney’s fees, $14,000 in costs, … Continue reading
Former New York broker Michael Bastardi (CRD# 6015424) was barred by FINRA related to unsuitable margin trading, fraud and forgery. Bastardi was registered with the following firms throughout his short career: Chelsea Financial Services in Staten Island, New York (01/19/2018 … Continue reading
Former Windsor Street Capital, LP broker Jovannie Aquino (CRD# 4876661) was barred by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for fraud involving excessive trading in the accounts of his retail customers. Aquino was registered with Spartan Capital Securities, LLC in … Continue reading
In June 2019, FINRA censured Citigroup Global Markets, fined the firm $225,000 and ordered them to pay $152,488.59 in restitution plus interest for supervisory failures in connection with the sale of Unit Investment Trusts (UITs). According to FINRA, between 2011 … Continue reading
Erez Law recently filed a FINRA arbitration against former Cetera Advisors LLC and its broker George Merhoff (CRD# 2918171). The Erez Law client alleges the following in the newly filed FINRA claim: The client informed Merhoff that he was approaching … Continue reading
Were you the victim of former UBS Financial Services Inc. broker Nicholas Barios (CRD# 2122824)? Barios was registered with UBS Financial Services Inc. in Winter Haven, Florida from 2008 to 2019, when he was terminated regarding, Producing Branch Manager (“PBOM”) … Continue reading