The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sanctioned broker James Madden (Madden) (Case No. 2014040336501) alleging that from March 2010, to February 2014, Madden exercised discretion in executing transactions in the accounts of l5 customers. FINRA found that Madden had received prior verbal authorization from his customers for the transactions but…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sanctioned (Case No. 2014038906201) brokerage firm BestVest Investments, Ltd. (BestVest) concerning allegations that from January 2012, through August 2014, BestVest failed to establish and maintain a supervisory system reasonably designed to monitor transactions in leveraged, inverse, and inverse leveraged exchange traded funds (Non-Traditional ETFs).…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sanctioned and barred broker Kenneth Hornyak (Hornyak) (Case No. 2013038511901) alleging that the broker failed to respond the regulator’s requests for documents and information. FINRA’s investigation appeared to focus on claims that Hornyak engaged in potential discretionary trading, unauthorized trading, and unsuitable short-term trading…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sanctioned Rainmaker Securities, LLC (Rainmaker Securities) and its President Glen Anderson (Anderson) (Case No. 2013035059001) alleging that From June 2011 through September 2014, Rainmaker Securities, acting through Anderson, failed to devote adequate time, attention, and resources toward supervision. FINRA found that the firm’s lack…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred (Case No. 20150443048) broker Thomas Hogle (Hogle) after the broker failed to respond to a letter from the regulator requesting information. While the BrokerCheck records kept by FINRA do not disclose all the facts being investigated by the regulatory inquiry, FINRA sent Hogle…
According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Patrick Teutonico (Teutonico) has been the subject of at least nine customer complaints and one regulatory action over the course of his career. Customers have filed complaints against Persaud alleging a litany of securities law violations including…
According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Dennis Lee (Lee) has been the subject of one customer complaint, four financial disclosures, and one employment separation. The customer complaint against Lee alleges that the broker made unsuitable investments, transferred funds to a new account without…
According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Francine Frechter (Frechter) has been the subject of two customer complaints and one employment separation. The customer complaints against Frechter allege a number of securities law violations including that the broker made unsuitable investments, misrepresentations, and failure…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred former Cetera Advisors LLC (Cetera) broker Bruce Sabourin (Sabourin) after the broker failed to respond to a letter from the regulator requesting information. While the BrokerCheck records kept by FINRA do not disclose the nature of the regulatory inquiry, in May 2014, Sabourin…
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating brokerage firms that placed investors in oil and gas related investments and who have suffered losses as a result. One company under investigation is Miller Energy Resources Inc. (Stock Symbol: MILL). According to a Wall Street Journal article, creditors of…