Securities Lawyers Blog
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Michael Meniktas (Meniktas) has been accused by investors of engaging in fraudulent misappropriation of their funds. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), it appears that Meniktas was employed by UBS Financial Services INC. at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Meniktas’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $1,036,306.00 on July 02, 2024.
Time frame: 2015-2023\, \, Allegations: Claimant alleges his financial advisor made an unsuitable recommendation to invest in a complex life insurance investment strategy, in a selling away scheme.
We have a strong track record of advocating for victims of fraud when advisors obtain loans from clients or engage in securities sales via OBAs. Engaging in the sale of unapproved investment products, fake investments that conceal misappropriated funds, and other fraudulent activities is referred to as “selling away” in the industry—a severe violation of securities regulations. The industry defines “selling away” as a practice where a financial advisor offers investments in securities, companies, or promissory notes that have not been authorized by their brokerage firm. While some of these investments may have a degree of legitimacy, they often turn out to be Ponzi schemes or involve advisors misappropriating funds.
However, federal securities laws and the FINRA rules require firms to monitor and supervise its employees in order to detect and prevent brokers from offering investments in this fashion. To ensure proper supervision of brokers, firms must establish procedures for monitoring advisors’ actions and engagements with the public. Selling away misconduct often occurs where brokerage firms either fail to put in place a reasonable supervisory system or fail to actually implement that system. Supervisory failures allow brokers to engage in unsupervised misconduct that can include all manner improper conduct including selling away.
In cases of selling away the investor is unaware that the advisor’s investments are improper. In many of these cases the investor will not learn that the broker’s activities were wrongful until after the investment scheme is publicized, the broker is fired or charged by law enforcement, or stops returning client calls altogether.
Meniktas entered the securities industry in 1999. Meniktas has been registered as a Broker with UBS Financial Services INC. since 2008.
Investors who have suffered losses are encouraged to contact us at (800) 810-4262 for consultation. At Gana Weinstein LLP, our attorneys are experienced representing investors who have suffered securities losses due to the mishandling of their accounts. Claims may be brought in securities arbitration before FINRA. Our consultations are free of charge and the firm is only compensated if you recover.
