Securities Lawyers Blog

Previously Registered Broker Laurence Greene Subject to Unsuitable Oil and Gas Securities Complaints

October 25, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating previously registered broker Laurence Greene (Greene). According to BrokerCheck Records held by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Greene has been subject to two pending customer disputes concerning unsuitable investments.

Most recently, in May 2018, a customer alleged that Greene placed the customer’s funds into risk oil and gas securities which were unsuitable to to the customer’s investment objectives. In addition, the customer alleges churning of the account. This dispute is currently still pending.

In November 2017, a customer alleged that during 2013, Greene placed the customer in unsuitable investments, churned the account, breached fiduciary duty and excessively traded the accounts. The customer has requested $375,000 in damages. This dispute is currently still pending.

Our firm handles claims and is also investigating securities claims against brokerage firms over sales practices related to the recommendations of oil & gas and commodities products such as exchange traded notes (ETNs), structured notes, private placements, master limited partnerships (MLPs), leveraged ETFs, mutual funds, and individual stocks.

Raymond James Advisor George Puliafico Alleged to Have Recommended Unsuitable Energy Securities

October 18, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor George Puliafico (Puliafico), employed by Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. (Raymond James), has been subject to one customer complaint. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Puliafico has been accused by a customer of unsuitable investment advice concerning various investment products including energy stocks most likely including master limited partnerships (MLPs). The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP continue to report on investor related losses and potential legal remedies due to recommendations to investor in oil and gas and commodities related investments.

The claim was filed in April 2018 and alleges breach of fiduciary duty, negligent supervision, and breach of contract. The customer claimed $2,000,000 in damages and the claim is currently pending.

Our firm handles claims and is also investigating securities claims against brokerage firms over sales practices related to the recommendations of oil & gas and commodities products such as exchange traded notes (ETNs), structured notes, private placements, master limited partnerships (MLPs), leveraged ETFs, mutual funds, and individual stocks.

G.A. Repple Advisor Alan Siegel Subject to Regulatory and Customer Complaints

October 15, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor Alan Siegel (Siegel), currently employed by G.A. Repple & Company (GA Repple) has been subject to four customer complaints, one regulatory complaint, and one criminal matter. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), in July 2018 Siegel was subject to a regulatory complaint by the Massachusetts Securities Division alleging that Siegel published false information on his website and failed to update this information for at least seven years. Siegel drew a $10,000 fine and agreed to submit to heightened supervision.

In July 2018 a customer filed complaint alleging unsuitability, over concentration, and material omissions with respect to a bond purchase and a limited partnership investment in 2007 and a 2015 variable annuity transaction that was not suitable. The claim is currently pending.

J.J.B. Hilliard Advisor Michael Barnett Alleged to Have Recommended Unsuitable Energy Securities

October 10, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor Michael Barnett (Barnett), employed by J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC (JJB Hilliard), has been subject to six customer complaints. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Barnett has been accused by a customer of unsuitable investment advice concerning various investment products including energy stocks most likely including master limited partnerships (MLPs). The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP continue to report on investor related losses and potential legal remedies due to recommendations to investor in oil and gas and commodities related investments.

The most recent claim was filed in June 2018 and alleges breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, violation of the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act, violation of Kentucky’s blue sky laws, and violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act with respect to an over-concentration and losses in Breitburn Energy (BBEP) and that BBEP was unsuitable. The claim alleges $42,791.95 in damages and is currently pending.

Our firm handles claims and is also investigating securities claims against brokerage firms over sales practices related to the recommendations of oil & gas and commodities products such as exchange traded notes (ETNs), structured notes, private placements, master limited partnerships (MLPs), leveraged ETFs, mutual funds, and individual stocks.

William Brunner Barred From Securities Industry After Allegations of Excessive Trading

October 10, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker William Brunner (Brunner) has been subject to five customer complaints, one bankruptcy, two regulatory actions, and one termination for cause. Brunner was formerly registered with Investment Planners, Inc. (Investment Planners) until May 2017. Many of the customer complaints against Brunner concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning, unauthorized trading, and unsuitable investments.

In April 2018 FINRA barred Brunner from the industry stating that Brunner consented to the sanction and declined to appear for on-the-record testimony requested by FINRA in connection with an investigation into excessive trading and use of discretion without written authorization in customers’ accounts. In May 2017 Investment Planners terminated Brunner claiming that allegations were made by a client concerning unauthorized trading.

In June 2017 a customer filed a complaint claiming that Brunner engaged in negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, churning, unauthorized trading, and unsuitable investments claiming $1,000,000 in damages. The claim was settled.

Hilltop Securities Advisor Walter Valenzuela Subject to Multiple Customer Complaints

October 10, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor Walter Valenzuela (Valenzuela), currently employed by Hilltop Securities Inc. (Hilltop Securities) has been subject to at least seven customer complaint. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), many of the complaints against Valenzuela concern excessive trading of unit investment trust (UITs) securities.

In July 2018 a customer complained that Valenzuela engaged in unsuitable recommendations, misrepresentation, and excessive trading involving UITs causing $3 million in damages. The claim is currently pending.

In August 2017 a customer complained of unsuitable recommendations, unsuitable use of margin, churning, financial exploitation, elder abuse and excessive mark-up/mark-down with respect to municipal bond and UIT trades executed in the account. The complaint also alleged that the representative failed to obtain proper breakpoint discounts for UIT purchases. The customer alleges $9.5 million in damages and the claim is currently pending

Erik Pica Subject to Multiple Customer Complaints Over Unauthorized Trading

October 8, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Erik Pica (Pica) has been subject to three customer complaints. Pica is currently registered with Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. (Joseph Stone). Many of the customer complaints against Pica concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning, unauthorized trading, unsuitable investments, and speculative investment strategies.

The last customer complaint occurred in May 2018 when a customer alleged unauthorized trading in Rite Aid and Valeant Pharmaceutical leading to $7,613 in damages. The claim is currently pending.

Also in May 2018 another customer alleged negligent supervision, overconcentration, and unsuitable investments causing $293,000 in damages. The claim is currently pending.

In March 2018 another customer alleged $500,000 after claiming that Pica engaged in unsuitable investments, churning, and other claims. The claim is currently pending.

Newbridge Securities Advisor Dana Davis Subject to Multiple Allegations of Excessive Trading

October 8, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Dana Davis (Davis) has been subject to seven customer complaints and one termination for cause. Davis is currently employed by Newbridge Securities Corporation (Newbridge Securities). Many of the customer complaints against Davis concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning, unauthorized trading, and unsuitable investments.

In January 2018 a customer filed a complaint alleging misrepresentation, unsuitable and excessive trading, negligent supervision, and breach of fiduciary duty. The claim alleges $250,000 in damages and is currently pending.

In October 2011 a customer filed a complaint alleging excessive transactions claiming $9,078 in damages. The complaint was closed.

In September 2006 Davis was terminated from First Montauk Securities Corp. after allegations were made that Davis failed to follow procedures concerning unauthorized trading.

David Lerner Advisor Robert Cavanagh Subject to Multiple Customer Complaints

October 8, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor Robert Cavanagh (Cavanagh), currently employed by David Lerner Associates, Inc. (David Lerner) has been subject to at least five customer complaints. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), many of the complaints against Cavanagh concern allegations of unsuitable investments, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud.

In July 2018 a customer complained that Cavanagh engaged in unsuitable investments, made misrepresentations, breached his fiduciary duty, was negligent, and committed fraud in connection with Puerto Rico and Rochester Bond Fund. The customer alleged $100,000 in damages and the claim is currently pending.

In July 2017 a customer alleged unsuitable investments and misrepresentations and omissions of information causing $160,000 in damages. The claim is currently pending.

Advisor David Barber Barred Over Unauthorized Trading

October 6, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor David Barber (Barber), formerly employed by Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (Madison Avenue) has been subject to five customer complaints, two regulatory actions, and one employment termination for cause. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), most of a Barber customer complaints allege that Barber made unsuitable recommendations in equity securities.

In March 2018, FINRA sanctioned Barber and barred him from the industry. FINRA alleged that Barber failed to produce information and documents request by FINRA during the course of an ongoing examination to determine whether he engaged in unauthorized trading in the accounts of customers of his member firm, exercised discretion in customer accounts without written authorization, or otherwise acted in violation of FINRA rules.

In addition, in September 2011 Raymond James and Associates, Inc. (Raymond James) discharged Barber claiming that he was alleged to misappropriate funds from a client, engaged in outside business activities and selling away, and that the firm lost confidence in the broker.