Securities Lawyers Blog

Former UBS Broker David Fagenson Discharged Over Unauthorized Trading

February 3, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our securities fraud attorneys are investigating customer complaints filed with The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against David Fagenson (Fagenson) currently associated with Newbridge Securities Corporation (Newbridge) alleging Fagenson engaged in a number of securities law violations including that the broker made unsuitable investments and unauthorized trading among other claims. According to BrokerCheck, Fagenson currently has nine customer complaints, one criminal matter, two regulatory actions, and one employment termination for cause.

In September 2016 UBS terminated Fagenson after a review found that while on heightened supervision Fagenson violated firm policy by exercising time and price discretion, texting with clients and engaging in short term trading of preferred shares. Also in September 2016 a customer alleged that from 2013 through 2016 that Fagenson engaged in unauthorized trading and gave stop loss orders that were not entered. The complaint is currently pending.

In April 2011 Fagenson was sanctioned by the state of Florida for failing to disclose a criminal matter on his record that was required to be disclosed.

Broker Investigation: National Securities Advisor Christopher Bond

February 3, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our securities fraud attorneys are investigating customer complaints filed with The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against Christopher Bond (Bond) currently associated with National Securities Corporation alleging Bond engaged in a number of securities law violations including that the broker made unsuitable investments and unauthorized trading among other claims. According to BrokerCheck, Bond currently has two customer complaints, three criminal matters, and one judgement / lien.

In October 2016, Bond was charged with criminal mischief in the third degree. Prior to that, in September 2016 a customer complained that Bond provided unsuitable investment advice resulting in $546,735 in damages. The claim is currently pending.

In March 2016, a tax lien was filed against Bond for $80,000. A broker’s inability to handle their personal finances has also been found to be relevant in helping investors determine if they should allow the broker to handle their finances.

Broker Investigation: National Securities Advisor Mark Gassoso

January 31, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our securities fraud attorneys are investigating customer complaints filed with The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against Mark Gassoso (Gassoso) currently associated with National Securities Corporation alleging Gassoso engaged in a number of securities law violations including that the broker made unsuitable investments, unauthorized trading, and churning (excessive trading) among other claims.

The most recent complaint was filed in October 2016 alleging unsuitable investments, breach of fiduciary duty, and misrepresentations causing $150,000 in damages. The complaint is currently pending. In September 2013 another investor filed a complaint and alleged excessive trading. The complaint was denied.

When brokers engage in excessive trading, sometimes referred to as churning, the broker will typical trade in and out of securities, sometimes even the same stock, many times over a short period of time. Often times the account will completely “turnover” every month with different securities. This type of investment trading activity in the client’s account serves no reasonable purpose for the investor and is engaged in only to profit the broker through the generation of commissions created by the trades. Churning is considered a species of securities fraud. The elements of the claim are excessive transactions of securities, broker control over the account, and intent to defraud the investor by obtaining unlawful commissions. A similar claim, excessive trading, under FINRA’s suitability rule involves just the first two elements. Certain commonly used measures and ratios used to determine churning help evaluate a churning claim. These ratios look at how frequently the account is turned over plus whether or not the expenses incurred in the account made it unreasonable that the investor could reasonably profit from the activity.

Broker Barry Rumpel Terminated By Woodbury Financial Over Private Transaction

January 31, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our securities fraud attorneys are investigating customer complaints filed with The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against Barry Rumpel (Rumpel) currently associated with IFS Securities alleging unsuitable investments among other claims. The majority of the complaints involve variable universal life insurance policies (VULs). According to brokercheck records Rumpel has been subject to four customer complaints, one employment separation for cause, and one criminal matter.

In May 2016 Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (Woodbury Financial) alleged that Rumpel engaged in a personal financial transaction with a client and terminated Rumpel. The most recent customer complaint was filed in October 2016 and alleged that a VUL sold to the customer and his wife were not suitable and that wrong net worth was entered in application in 2011 and 2012. The claim was dismissed.

VULs are often unsuitable life insurance products for many investors due to their high costs compared to traditional life insurance policies. VULs can also lapse if policy premiums are not paid resulting in a complete loss of the investors capital without any life insurance benefit.

Broker Samuel Koltun Accused of Selling Unsuitable Puerto Rico Bonds

January 30, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our securities fraud attorneys are investigating customer complaints filed with The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against Samuel Koltun (Koltun) currently associated with RBC Capital Markets, LLC (RBC) alleging unsuitable investments in Puerto Rico municipal bonds among other claims. According to brokercheck records Koltun has been subject to six customer complaints and one regulatory action.

Puerto Rico municipal bonds are speculative investments based upon the deteriorating finances of the island. Many brokers have been accused of peddling these bonds in large concentrations to clients. In September 2016 a customer filed a complaint against Koltun alleging over concentration in Puerto Rico bonds from 2012 through 2015. The claim alleges $80,000 in damages and is currently pending. In another complaint filed in April 2016, the customer alleges $260,000 caused by overconcentration in Puerto Rico municipal bonds. The claim is currently pending.

Brokers in the financial industry have the fundamental responsibility to treat investors fairly. This obligation includes making only suitable investments for their client. The suitable analysis has certain requirements that must be met before the recommendation is made. First, there must be reasonable basis for the recommendation for the investment based upon the broker’s and the firm’s investigation and due diligence. Common due diligence looks into the investment’s properties including its benefits, risks, tax consequences, the issuer, the likelihood of success or failure of the investment, and other relevant factors. Second, if there is a reasonable basis to recommend the product to investors the broker then must match the investment as being appropriate for the customer’s specific investment needs and objectives. These factors include the client’s age, investment experience, retirement status, long or short term goals, tax status, or any other relevant factor.

FINRA Bars Joseph Likens Over Private Securities Sales

January 30, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our firm is investigating claims made by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Joseph Likens (Likens). According to brokercheck, in Likens failed to respond to FINRA’s requests for information resulting in a bar. FINRA stated that Likens refused to appear for on-the-record testimony related an investigation into allegations that he may have engaged in private securities transactions. At this time the scope of Likens activities and the specific investments are not reported. However, Likens disclosed outside business activities involving PWA Network.

The FINRA investigation followed Likens’ termination from his previous employer LPL Financial LLC (LPL) in May 2016. Likens worked out of a d/b/a Cornerstone Wealth Management. At that time, Likens was terminated after allegations were made that he engaged in trading away from the firm. In November 2016, a customer alleged that Likens sold away from the firm an investment made in 2011 causing $120,000 in damages. The claim is currently pending.

The providing of loans or selling of notes and other investments outside of a brokerage firm constitutes impermissible private securities transactions – a practice known in the industry as “selling away”. Often times brokers who engage in this practice use outside businesses in order to market their securities.

Broker Bryon Glime Barred From Financial Industry

January 29, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our securities fraud attorneys are investigating customer complaints filed with The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against Bryon Glime (Glime) formerly associated with Capital Investment Group, Inc. (Capital Investment) alleging unsuitable investments and unauthorized trading among other claims. According to brokercheck records Glime has been subject to three customer complaints, one criminal matter, three judgments or liens, one employment termination for cause, and one regulator action.

In September 2015 Glime was terminated by Capital Investment after the firm alleged that Glime failed to timely report a criminal disclosure to the firm. The criminal disclosure disclosed includes allegations of theft, embezzlement, and misappropriation.

Brokers in the financial industry have the fundamental responsibility to treat investors fairly. This obligation includes making only suitable investments for their client. The suitable analysis has certain requirements that must be met before the recommendation is made. First, there must be reasonable basis for the recommendation for the investment based upon the broker’s and the firm’s investigation and due diligence. Common due diligence looks into the investment’s properties including its benefits, risks, tax consequences, the issuer, the likelihood of success or failure of the investment, and other relevant factors. Second, if there is a reasonable basis to recommend the product to investors the broker then must match the investment as being appropriate for the customer’s specific investment needs and objectives. These factors include the client’s age, investment experience, retirement status, long or short term goals, tax status, or any other relevant factor.

FINRA Bars Broker Brian Sak Over Private Securities Sales

January 28, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our firm is investigating claims made by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Brian Sak (Sak). According to brokercheck, Sak consented sanctions and an entry of findings that he failed to provide documents and information requested by FINRA during the course of its investigation into allegations that he solicited a client to invest in an outside business. FINRA’s investigation followed Morgan Stanely’s termination of Sak in May 2016 after the firm stated that it had concerns related to outside real estate investment with a client that was not appropriately disclosed to the firm.

At this time it is unclear the total scope and extent of these outside business activities and private transactions but according to Sak’s disclosures he is involved in Southside Holdings which is engaged in real estate rentals. To date five customers have come forward to complaint about investment losses related to Sak’s real estate transactions.

The providing of loans or selling of notes and other investments outside of a brokerage firm constitutes impermissible private securities transactions – a practice known in the industry as “selling away”. Often times brokers who engage in this practice use outside businesses in order to market their securities.

Broker Charles Sorensen Receives Customer Complaints Over Unsuitable Trades

January 27, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

Our securities fraud attorneys are investigating customer complaints filed with The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against Charles Sorensen (Sorensen) currently associated with Allegis Investment Services, LLC (Allegis Investment), d/b/a Soresnsen Financial, Inc., alleging unsuitable investments, unauthorized trading, and misrepresentations among other claims. Some of the complaints involve securities including mutual funds and options. According to brokercheck records Sorensen has been subject to four customer complaints.

In August 2016 a customer brought a complaint against Sorensen alleging that Sorensen made transactions without authorization in or around August 2015. The complaint alleges $100,000 in damages. The complaint is currently pending.

In June 2016 another customer filed a complaint alleging that the options strategy in which the account was invested in August of 2015 was not suitable causing $94,133.36 in damages. The complaint is currently pending.

NetWork 1 Financial Securities Broker Mark Miranda Subject to Multiple Churning Complaints

January 27, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) customers have filed complaints against broker Mark Miranda (Miranda). Our attorneys have been reviewing records that Miranda has been the subject of at least seven customer complaints, one bankruptcy filing, and one tax lien in September 2012 for $39,000. The customer complaints against Miranda allege a number of securities law violations including that the broker made unsuitable investments, unauthorized trading and churning (excessive trading) among other claims.

The most recent complaint was filed in September 2016 and unsuitable investments causing $49,797.17 in damages. The complaint is currently pending. In April 2016 another investor filed a complaint and alleged excessive fees causing $47,620 in damages. The complaint is currently pending.

When brokers engage in excessive trading, sometimes referred to as churning, the broker will typical trade in and out of securities, sometimes even the same stock, many times over a short period of time. Often times the account will completely “turnover” every month with different securities. This type of investment trading activity in the client’s account serves no reasonable purpose for the investor and is engaged in only to profit the broker through the generation of commissions created by the trades. Churning is considered a species of securities fraud. The elements of the claim are excessive transactions of securities, broker control over the account, and intent to defraud the investor by obtaining unlawful commissions. A similar claim, excessive trading, under FINRA’s suitability rule involves just the first two elements. Certain commonly used measures and ratios used to determine churning help evaluate a churning claim. These ratios look at how frequently the account is turned over plus whether or not the expenses incurred in the account made it unreasonable that the investor could reasonably profit from the activity.