Investment Attorney

Wells Fargo Advisor James Paige Has Customer Complaints

December 2, 2024 | by Staff Attorney

Financial advisor James Paige (Paige), currently employed by brokerage firm Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (Wells Fargo) has been subject to at least five customer complaints and one tax lien or judgement during the course of his career. According to the most recent complaints, Paige has been accused by customers of engaging in unsuitably risky investments among other allegations against the financial advisor.

In February 2024 a customer complained that Paige violated the securities laws by alleging that Paige in or around the year 2021 made financial recommendations that were unsuitable and too risky for Claimants’ investment knowledge and needs. The claim is currently pending.

In May 2023 a customer complained that Paige violated the securities laws by alleging that Paige, sometime after 2020, failed to diversity her portfolio and made unsuitable investment recommendations without disclosing the risks involved with the investments. The claim settled for $95,000.

Brokers are required to adhere to the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) standard of care under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which establishes a “best interest” standard for broker-dealers and associated persons. This standard applies when brokers make recommendations to retail customer for any securities transaction or investment strategy involving securities, including recommendations of types of accounts. Reg BI is drawn from fiduciary principles that include an obligation to act in the retail investor’s best interest and the broker is prohibited from placing their own interests ahead of the investor’s interest.

Advisor Raul Benitez Has Suitability Customer Complaints

February 11, 2024 | by Staff Attorney

The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating BrokerCheck records reports that financial advisor Raul Benitez (Benitez), formerly employed by Wells Fargo Clearing Services , LLC (Wells Fargo) has been subject to at least six customer complaints and one termination for cause during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Benitez’s customer complaints alleges that Benitez recommended un suitable investments in various investments and makes allegations including common law fraud, gross negligence.

In January 2024 a customer complained that Benitez violated the securities laws by alleging that Benitez made unsuitable investments and misrepresentations of recommendations in September 2014 and March 2015. The claim alleges $500,000 in damages and is currently pending.

In November 2023 a customer complained that Benitez violated the securities laws by alleging that Benitez made an investment recommendation that was unsuitable. The claim alleges $500,000 in damages and is currently pending.

In July 2021 a customer complained that Benitez violated the securities laws by alleging that Benitez made an investment recommendation in NorthStar that was unsuitable. The claim alleged $2178,707 in damages and settled for $175,000.

Advisor Michael Sandberg Accused of Unsuitable Investment Practices

February 4, 2024 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Michael Sandberg (Sanberg), currently associated with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC (Ameriprise), has been subject to ten customer complaints and one regulatory action during his career. Several of those complaints against Sandberg allege that Sandberg recommended unsuitable investments in various investments among other allegations of misconduct relating to the handling of their accounts.

In December 2020, a customer complained that Sandberg violated the securities laws by alleging that Sandberg engaged in negligent investment advice, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and fraud. The claim alleges $100,000 in damages and is currently pending.

Brokers are required under the securities laws to treat their clients fairly. This obligation includes the duties to disclose material risks of the investments they recommend and to present products, particularly complex or confusing products, in a fair and balanced manner that allows the client to evaluate the recommendation. Another important obligation advisors have is to make only suitable recommendations for investments to the client.

Broker Brian Roth Has Alternative Investment Customer Complaints

October 10, 2022 | by Staff Attorney

Advisor Brian Roth (Roth), currently employed by brokerage firm Newbridge Securities Corporation (Newbridge Securities) has been subject to at least nine disclosures including four customer complaints, one regulatory action, and four judgement or liens. According to a BrokerCheck report some of the customer complaints concern alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products and have recovered in excess of $50 million in investor losses.

In June 2022 a customer complained that Roth violated the securities laws by alleging that Roth made recommendations that violated rules such as suitability, negligence, fraud, failure to supervise, violation FINRA rule 2010, and breach of contract. The claim is currently pending and the investor seeks $1,500,000 in damages.

In April 2020 a customer complained that Roth violated the securities laws by alleging that Roth made recommendations that violated rules such as breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, failure to supervise, violation FINRA rules, and breach of contract. The claim is currently settled for $100,000.

Eduardo Da Cruz Has a Complaint Over Complex Options Trading

October 4, 2022 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial advisor Eduardo Da Cruz (Da Cruz) has at least one disclosable event. This event is a customer complaint alleging that Da Cruz engaged in some form of investment related misconduct in the handling of the client’s accounts. Da Cruz is currently employed by EFG Capital International (EFG). Da Cruz’s customer complaints alleges that Da Cruz recommended unsuitable investments in a complex options trading strategy among other allegations and complaints.

In November 2021 a customer complained that Da Cruz violated the securities laws by alleging that Da Cruz during the course of 2019 and 2020, EFG, failed to provide the expected and agreed upon level of service specifically with regards to complex option trading causing losses. The investor alleged damages of $4.1 million and the claim is currently pending.

An option is a contract that allows an investor to buy or sell an underlying security at a predetermined price over a certain period of time. Buying an option that allows you to buy shares at a later time is called a “call option,” and buying an option that allows you to sell shares at a later time is called a “put option.” Options are considered derivative securities because their price is derived from the value of the securities or other underlying instruments. The value change in options as they approach expiration is what is called time decay – meaning their value decays over time as expiration nears. Accordingly, an options trading strategy involving many options trades needs to be managed closely. Due to the risks of trading options FINRA has special rules and requirements related to their trading and to qualify investors for options trading.

Advisor Thomas Martin Has Unsuitable Investment Complaints

October 2, 2022 | by Staff Attorney

The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating BrokerCheck records reports that financial advisor Thomas S. Martin (Martin), currently employed by Brighton Securities Corp. (Brighton Securities) has been subject to at least two customer complaints during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Mr. Martin’s customer complaints alleges that Mr. Martin recommended unsuitable investments in various investments securities, among other allegations of misconduct relating to the handling of their accounts.

In January 2020, Mr. Martin was the subject of a regulatory action initiated by FINRA. Mr. Martin consented to the findings and sanctions, of $5,000 in civil and administrative penalties. Mr. Martin neither admitted or denied the findings. Mr. Martin allegedly exercised discretion in customers’ accounts, without prior written authorization from the customers. Additionally, Mr. Martin received written reprimands from his firm, for engaging in such conduct.

In August 2017, a customer complained that Mr. Martin violated the securities laws by alleging that Mr. Martin engaged in unauthorized trading between February 2017 and July 2017. The claim settled in the amount of $8,252.75.

In August 2011, a customer complained that Mr. Martin violated the securities laws by alleging that Mr. Martin engaged in unsuitable investment advice, with regards to the customer’s IRA. Client claimed she deposited money into her IRA with instructions to be placed in the safest account. The IRA is alleged to have lost approximately $7,000, resulting in this customer dispute. The claim settled in the amount of $22,407.33.

Newbridge Advisor Dean Norwalk Subject to Customer Disputes

September 25, 2022 | by Staff Attorney

The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating BrokerCheck records reports that Dean Robert Nowak (Nowak), currently employed by Newbridge Securities Corporation (Newbridge), has been subject to at least three customer complaints in his career. According to records kept by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Nowak’s customer complaint alleges that Nowak made misrepresentations with respect to securities transactions to customers.

In April 2020, a customer complained that Nowak violated the securities laws by alleging that Nowak engaged in unsuitable investment practices and made misrepresentations and omissions regarding the features and risks of a fixed annuity and a real estate trust, including restrictions on liquidity and the applicable time horizon. The claim alleges $100,000 in damages and is currently pending.

Broker Frederick Atiyeh Accused of Selling Unsuitable Alternative Investments

September 19, 2022 | by Staff Attorney

Advisor Frederick Atiyeh (Atiyeh), currently employed by brokerage firm Crown Capital Securities, L.P. (Crown Capital) has been subject to at least four disclosures and customer complaints. According to a BrokerCheck report the customer complaints concern alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products and have recovered in excess of $50 million in investor losses.

In August 2021 a customer complained that Atiyeh violated the securities laws by alleging that Atiyeh made misrepresentation of the risk factors in regards to the purchase of several alternative investments. The claim is currently pending and the investor seeks $50,000 in damages.

In February 2021 a customer complained that Atiyeh violated the securities laws by alleging that Atiyeh engaged in a lack of proper due diligence, lack of suitability and over concentration in regards to investments in alternative and variable annuity products. The claim is currently pending.

Advisor Frank Avallone Has Suitability Complaints

September 16, 2022 | by Staff Attorney

The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating BrokerCheck records reports that financial advisor Frank Louis Avallone (Avallone), currently employed by Ceros Financial Services, Inc (Ceros) and formerly registered with National Securities Corporation (NSC) has been subject to at least four customer complaints during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Mr. Avallone’s customer complaints alleges that Mr. Avallone recommended unsuitable investments.

In February 2020, a customer complained that Mr. Avallone violated the securities laws by alleging that Mr. Avallone engaged in unsuitable investment advice. The claim alleges $140,000 in damages and is currently pending.

In November 2019, a customer complained that Mr. Avallone violated the securities laws by alleging that Mr. Avallone engaged in unsuitable investment advice. The claim alleged $209,200 in damages and was later closed-no action.

In December 2013, a customer complained that Mr. Avallone violated the securities laws by alleging that Mr. Avallone engaged in unsuitable investment advice, breach of fiduciary duty, churning, negligence, and breach of contract. The claim settled in the amount of $6,100.

Broker Robert Mann Has Suitability Disputes

September 8, 2022 | by Staff Attorney

The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating BrokerCheck records reports that broker Robert Allan Mann (Mann), currently employed by B. Riley Wealth Management after the firm acquired National Securities Corporation (NSC) has been subject to at least three customer complaints during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Mann’s customer complaints alleges that Mann recommended unsuitable investments in various investments including allegations involving debt-corporate securities, mutual funds, real estate securities and common and preferred stock, among other allegations of misconduct relating to the handling of their accounts.

In January 2020, a customer complained that Mann violated the securities laws by alleging that Mann engaged in unsuitable investment advice. The damage amount requested was $175,000. The claim settled in the amount of $57,500.

In October 2014, a customer complained that Mann violated the securities laws by alleging that Mann engaged in unsuitable investment advice, and charged excessive commissions. The damage amount requested was $29,000. The claim settled in the amount of $12,500.

In June 2001, a customer complained that Mann violated the securities laws by alleging that Mann engaged in unsuitable investment advice, misrepresentation, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, unauthorized trading, fraud, inappropriate use of margin, and churning in the customer’s account. The damage amount requested was $185,000. The claim settled in the amount of $61,000.