The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) brought and enforcement action against broker Jonathan Williams (Williams) (FINRA No. 20150452689) resulting in a bar from the securities industry alleging that Williams failed to provide FINRA staff with information and documents requested. The failure to provide those documents and information to FINRA resulted…
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.…
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…
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating investor losses in Star Scientific, Inc. / Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals (Star Scientific) on the heels of a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) investigation into alleged false and misleading research reports issued by Oits Bradley (Bradley) presumably made about the company. Although…
According to news reports, broker George Montgomery (Montgomery) committed suicide but questions surrounding the death left many believing that foul play was involved. Montgomery, a former ASU running back, before injuries took him off the field. Montgomery became a registered broker in 1998. From 2005 until October 2011, Montgomery was…
Certain groups have been particularly vulnerable to advisors who engage in investment fraud. Among those groups well known are senior citizens who may have diminished capacity. Another group that serves as a common target are affinity frauds. In an affinity fraud the scammer preys upon members of a group or…
According to the BrokerCheck records kept by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker David Hackney (Hackney) has recently been permanently barred by the agency for failing to respond to requests for documents and information. In addition, the broker has been under investigation by the Illinois Securities Department concerning allegations that…
According to broker Michael Gates (Gates) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck records the representative was recently sanctioned concerning allegations that from January 2011, through October 2011, he effected approximately 22 discretionary transactions for two firm customers without written authorization from the customers or approval from the firm. Gates first…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred broker Aaron Parthemer (Parthemer) concerning allegations that Parthemer engaged in private securities transactions – also known as “selling away.” FINRA alleged that from June 2009, through March 2013, Parthemer engaged in several undisclosed outside business activities, loaned nearly $400,000 to three firm customers…
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Matthew Katke (Katke) recently waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to participating in a multimillion securities fraud scheme. Katke was registered with RBS Securities, Inc. (RBS Securities), during the time of the DOJ’s investigation. Currently, Katke…