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FINRA Bars Former Merrill Lynch Broker Michael Highfill Over Outside Business Activities

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) brought and enforcement action against broker  Michael Highfill (Highfill) (FINRA No. 2015045652501) resulting in a bar from the securities industry alleging that Highfill failed to provide FINRA staff with information and documents requested. The failure to provide those documents and information to FINRA resulted…

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FINRA Bars Richard Adams Over Churning Customer Accounts

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) brought and enforcement action against broker Rasheed a/k/a Richard Adams (Adams) (FINRA No. 2015045911001) resulting in a bar from the securities industry alleging that between July 2013, and June 2014, Adams engaged in unsuitable excessive trading and churning in two of his customers’ accounts.…

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Broker Spotlight: JP Morgan’s John Cholankeril Jr.

According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker John Cholankeril Jr. (Cholankeril) has been the subject of at least six customer complaints, one employment separation, and one regulatory action. The customer complaints against Cholankeril allege that the broker made unsuitable investments, misrepresented certain mutual funds,…

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FINRA Sanctions Broker Gregory Gassoso Over Unauthorized Trades

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sanctioned (FINRA AWC No. 2013039506601) broker Gregory Gassoso (Gassoso) on allegations that in April 2013, Gassoso effected three unauthorized transactions in a customer’s account, resulting in a loss of approximately $1,500. In addition to FINRA’s recent action Gassoso has been the subject of at…

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Churning Claims Against Rockwell Global Broker Michael Capolongo

According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Michael Capolongo (Capolongo) has been the subject of at least two customer complaints and one criminal matter over the course of his career. Customers have filed complaints against Capolongo alleging securities law violations including that the broker…

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Broker Investigation: Churning Claims Against Broker Ahmad “Kevin” Wares

According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Ahmad “Kevin” Wares (Wares) has been the subject of at least seven customer complaints one employment separation, and one judgment/lien over the course of his career. Customers have filed complaints against Wares alleging a litany of securities…

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FINRA Bars Former PFS Investments Broker Malcolm Babin From the Industry

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred (FINRA AWC No. 20150454876-01) former PFS Investments, Inc. (PFS Investments) broker Malcolm Babin (Babin) after the broker failed to respond to a letter from the regulator requesting information. While BrokerCheck records kept by FINRA do not disclose the nature of the regulatory inquiry,…

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Broker Spotlight: Cantone Research’s Raymond DeRobbio

According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Raymond DeRobbio (DeRobbio) has been the subject of seven customer complaints and one regulatory action. The customer complaints against DeRobbio allege that the broker made unsuitable investments concerning certain bonds that defaulted. The regulatory complaint against DeRobbio…

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Cape Securities, Inc. Fined $125,000 for Failure to Supervise

On May 5, 2015, the brokerage firm Cape Securities, Inc. (“Cape”) was fined $125,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for failing to supervise its personnel, in effect allowing its brokers to recommend unsuitable investments and churn customer accounts. According to the Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC),…

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Broker Spotlight: Advisor Robert Batchen Unauthorized Trading Claims

According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Robert Batchen (Batchen) has been the subject of at least five customer complaints, one judgement/lien, and one employment separation for cause over the course of his career. Customers have filed complaints against Batchen allege claims including that…

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