The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred Chad David Kelly (Kelly) concerning allegations of churning (excessive trading) and unauthorized trading. “Churning” is excessive investment trading activity that serves little useful purpose or is inconsistent with the investor’s objectives and is conducted solely to generate commissions for the broker. Churning…
Articles Posted in Securities Fraud
Former Waddell & Reed and Merrill Lynch Stockbroker Fined and Suspended for Misconduct
FINRA has fined Maryland financial adviser and investment counselor Jill Meredith Carr $10,000 and suspended her for two years from the securities industry. According to the letter of acceptance, waiver and consent (“AWC”) submitted by Ms. Carr, she entered the securities industry in 2007 with Merrill Lynch until her termination…
Retired Auto Executive Sues UBS for $30 Million for Investment Fraud Related to Puerto Rican Bonds
On October 1, 2013, Victor Gómez, Jr. a retired auto executive filed an action against UBS for investment fraud related to Puerto Rican bonds. According to the Caribbean News, this is the first of many legal actions expected to be filed in FINRA against UBS Financial Services, Inc. Mr. Gómez and his…
Larry Dearman and Others charged by the SEC for Fraud
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against Larry J. Dearman (Dearman), Sr. Marya Gray (Gray), Bartnet Wireless Internet Inc., The Property Shoppe, Inc., and Quench Buds Holding Company LLC. Dearman and Gray allegedly created an illegal scheme that fraudulently raised at least $4.7 million from thirty (30) of…
How To Guide: Tips on Avoiding Investment Scams
You read about investment scams, but you never think it can happen to someone like you. We have all read about the Bernie Madoffs and Allen Stanfords of the world. Unsuspecting investors duped into some of the largest ponzi schemes in the world. You think to yourself that it can…
Darrell Frazier Accused of Selling Variable Annuities by Misleading Customers
Darrell G. Frazier (Frazier) was recently barred from the securities industry by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) over allegations that Frazier made fraudulent statements in the sales of variable annuities. Frazier is also alleged to have made unsuitable variable annuity sale recommendations to customers. Frazier first became registered with…
FINRA Publishes Fraud Susceptibility in the United States Study
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently released a report detailing the American public’s susceptibility to financial fraud. The Financial Fraud Research Center estimated that fraud costs the American people over $50 billion a year without including the cost of efforts to prevent and prosecute fraud. The report entitled, Financial…
Conrad Bautista Barred From Financial Industry for Alleged Private Placements Sales
Conrad Tambalo Bautista (Bautista) resolved charges brought by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) concerning the sale of private securities and possible involvement in a fraudulent investment scheme by accepting a bar from the securities industry. Bautista has been associated with seven FINRA member firms including his most recent employer,…
Jonathan G. Sorensen Barred Financial Industry Over Alleged Misuse of Customer Funds
Jonathan G. Sorensen (Sorensen) has been barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) after he failed to respond to the agency’s inquiries concerning an investigation concerning the possible misuse of customer funds in his management of limited partnership investment fund. Sorensen first became registered with FINRA on September 9,…
David Mura Accused of Selling Unregistered Securities and Churning
David Mura was recently barred by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) over allegations concerning the sale of unregistered securities away from his associated brokerage firm. From September 2002 through April 2011, Mura was a registered representative and branch office manager with J.P.…