Centaurus Financial

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Michael Hamilton in Firm Centaurus Financial, Inc.

March 4, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Michael Hamilton (Hamilton), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one tax lien, alleging that Hamilton recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on February 07, 2025.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (‘Commission’) deems it appropriate and in the public interest that public administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against Centaurus Financial, Inc. (‘Centaurus’), Debbie M. Cavanaugh (‘Cavanaugh’), Michael Y. Hamilton (‘Hamilton’), Dana Matthew Hawkins (‘Hawkins’), and Timothy N. Tremblay (‘Tremblay’) (collectively, the ‘Respondents’). In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondents have submitted Offers of Settlement (‘Offers’) which the Commission has determined to accept. On the basis of this Order and Respondents’ Offers, the Commission finds that: Between June 30, 2020, the compliance date for Regulation Best Interest (‘Regulation BI’), and approximately April 16, 2021 (the ‘Relevant Period’), Respondents did not comply with Regulation BI in connection with their recommendations of corporate bonds called ‘L Bonds’ offered by GWG Holdings, Inc. (‘GWG’) to certain retail customers. According to GWG’s disclosures during the Relevant Period: (a) L Bond investments involved a high degree of risk, including the risk of losing an investor’s entire investment; (b) L Bond investments May be considered speculative; (c) L Bond investments were only suitable for investors with substantial financial resources and no need for liquidity in the investment; and (d) GWG May use a portion of the L Bond proceeds to repay existing L Bond holders. Despite these disclosures, Centaurus and its registered representatives – Respondents Cavanaugh, Hamilton, Hawkins and Tremblay, recommended the purchase of L Bonds to 18 retail customers for whom Respondents did not have a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendations were in those customers’ best interest based on those customers’ investment profiles and the potential risks, rewards, and costs associated with the L Bonds. As a result, Centaurus, Cavanaugh, Hamilton, Hawkins and Tremblay did not comply with the Customer-Specific Prong of Regulation BI’s Care Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(2)(ii)(B). Centaurus also did not reasonably enforce its own written policies and procedures requiring personnel to take training related to Regulation BI and training related to a 2020 Offering of GWG L Bonds. As a result, Centaurus did not comply with Regulation BI’s Compliance Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(2)(iv). By not complying with these Regulation BI component obligations, the Respondents each willfully violated Regulation BI’s General Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(1).

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Debbie Cavanaugh in Firm Centaurus Financial, Inc.

March 4, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Debbie Cavanaugh (Cavanaugh), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one tax lien, alleging that Cavanaugh recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on February 07, 2025.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (‘Commission’) deems it appropriate and in the public interest that public administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against Centaurus Financial, Inc. (‘Centaurus’), Debbie M. Cavanaugh (‘Cavanaugh’), Michael Y. Hamilton (‘Hamilton’), Dana Matthew Hawkins (‘Hawkins’), and Timothy N. Tremblay (‘Tremblay’) (collectively, the ‘Respondents’). In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondents have submitted Offers of Settlement (‘Offers’) which the Commission has determined to accept. On the basis of this Order and Respondents’ Offers, the Commission finds that: Between June 30, 2020, the compliance date for Regulation Best Interest (‘Regulation BI’), and approximately April 16, 2021 (the ‘Relevant Period’), Respondents did not comply with Regulation BI in connection with their recommendations of corporate bonds called ‘L Bonds’ offered by GWG Holdings, Inc. (‘GWG’) to certain retail customers. According to GWG’s disclosures during the Relevant Period: (a) L Bond investments involved a high degree of risk, including the risk of losing an investor’s entire investment; (b) L Bond investments May be considered speculative; (c) L Bond investments were only suitable for investors with substantial financial resources and no need for liquidity in the investment; and (d) GWG May use a portion of the L Bond proceeds to repay existing L Bond holders. Despite these disclosures, Centaurus and its registered representatives – Respondents Cavanaugh, Hamilton, Hawkins and Tremblay, recommended the purchase of L Bonds to 18 retail customers for whom Respondents did not have a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendations were in those customers’ best interest based on those customers’ investment profiles and the potential risks, rewards, and costs associated with the L Bonds. As a result, Centaurus, Cavanaugh, Hamilton, Hawkins and Tremblay did not comply with the Customer-Specific Prong of Regulation BI’s Care Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(2)(ii)(B). Centaurus also did not reasonably enforce its own written policies and procedures requiring personnel to take training related to Regulation BI and training related to a 2020 Offering of GWG L Bonds. As a result, Centaurus did not comply with Regulation BI’s Compliance Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(2)(iv). By not complying with these Regulation BI component obligations, the Respondents each willfully violated Regulation BI’s General Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(1).

Broker Timothy Tremblay in Centaurus Financial, Inc. Firm Has Customer Complaint

March 4, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Timothy Tremblay (Tremblay), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc., has at least 4 disclosable events. These events include 3 customer complaints, one tax lien, alleging that Tremblay recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on February 07, 2025.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (‘Commission’) deems it appropriate and in the public interest that public administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings be, and hereby are, instituted against Centaurus Financial, Inc. (‘Centaurus’), Debbie M. Cavanaugh (‘Cavanaugh’), Michael Y. Hamilton (‘Hamilton’), Dana Matthew Hawkins (‘Hawkins’), and Timothy N. Tremblay (‘Tremblay’) (collectively, the ‘Respondents’). In anticipation of the institution of these proceedings, Respondents have submitted Offers of Settlement (‘Offers’) which the Commission has determined to accept. On the basis of this Order and Respondents’ Offers, the Commission finds that: Between June 30, 2020, the compliance date for Regulation Best Interest (‘Regulation BI’), and approximately April 16, 2021 (the ‘Relevant Period’), Respondents did not comply with Regulation BI in connection with their recommendations of corporate bonds called ‘L Bonds’ offered by GWG Holdings, Inc. (‘GWG’) to certain retail customers. According to GWG’s disclosures during the Relevant Period: (a) L Bond investments involved a high degree of risk, including the risk of losing an investor’s entire investment; (b) L Bond investments May be considered speculative; (c) L Bond investments were only suitable for investors with substantial financial resources and no need for liquidity in the investment; and (d) GWG May use a portion of the L Bond proceeds to repay existing L Bond holders. Despite these disclosures, Centaurus and its registered representatives – Respondents Cavanaugh, Hamilton, Hawkins and Tremblay, recommended the purchase of L Bonds to 18 retail customers for whom Respondents did not have a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendations were in those customers’ best interest based on those customers’ investment profiles and the potential risks, rewards, and costs associated with the L Bonds. As a result, Centaurus, Cavanaugh, Hamilton, Hawkins and Tremblay did not comply with the Customer-Specific Prong of Regulation BI’s Care Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(2)(ii)(B). Centaurus also did not reasonably enforce its own written policies and procedures requiring personnel to take training related to Regulation BI and training related to a 2020 Offering of GWG L Bonds. As a result, Centaurus did not comply with Regulation BI’s Compliance Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(2)(iv). By not complying with these Regulation BI component obligations, the Respondents each willfully violated Regulation BI’s General Obligation found in Exchange Act Rule 15l-1(a)(1).

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Valentino Scott in Firm Centaurus Financial, Inc.

February 27, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Valentino Scott (Scott), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc., has at least 7 disclosable events. These events include 7 customer complaints, alleging that Scott recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $100,000.00 on November 11, 2024.

The customer alleges that in January 2020, the Registered Representative recommended and misrepresented an unsuitable, high-risk, illiquid investment and breached his fiduciary duty.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker John Starke in Firm Centaurus Financial, Inc.

February 18, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker John Starke (Starke), previously associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc., has at least 13 disclosable events. These events include 13 customer complaints, alleging that Starke recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $400,000.00 on December 30, 2024.

The customers allege from 2015 through December 2023, the Registered Representative recommended and misrepresented unsuitable, speculative, high-risk investments.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Eric Kuchherzki in Firm Centaurus Financial, Inc.

February 18, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Eric Kuchherzki (Kuchherzki), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc., has at least 5 disclosable events. These events include 5 customer complaints, alleging that Kuchherzki recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $150,000.00 on December 31, 2024.

The customers allege that in February 2020, and in April 2021, the Registered Representative recommended and misrepresented an unsuitable, high-risk, illiquid investment.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Christopher Martin in Firm Centaurus Financial, Inc.

February 15, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Christopher Martin (Martin) 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 Martin was employed by Centaurus Financial, Inc. at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Martin’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on January 14, 2025.

Without admitting or denying the findings, Martin consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he participated in private securities transactions related to a private offering of common stock issued by a licensed cannabis-related company that he co-founded and for which he served as a board member and executive officer without prior written notice to, or approval from, his member firm. The findings stated that Martin disclosed his role with the company to the firm as an OBA. However, Martin did not disclose his subsequent participation in the company’s efforts to raise capital or receive approval from the firm to participate in such efforts. Specifically, Martin participated in the company’s sale of $4,436,381 of company stock to 106 investors through the private offering. Martin introduced certain of these investors to the investment opportunity, including his customers at his firm. In addition, Martin presented information on the offering and the company’s business plan to prospective investors, answering the questions of prospective investors about the offering and the company’s business, and, at times, facilitating investors’ transactions by accepting investor subscription agreements. During his presentations to prospective investors, Martin provided written disclosures that stated that he was acting in his capacity as an executive officer of the company, not as a financial advisor, and that the firm was not involved with, and did not recommend, the investment. At time of purchase, investors signed an acknowledgement form containing similar representations. Furthermore, on six annual compliance questionnaires, Martin inaccurately attested that he had not engaged in any private securities transactions, including ‘the raising of capital through stock, bond or note offerings.’

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker William Gammon in Firm Centaurus Financial, Inc.

February 9, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor William Gammon (Gammon), previously employed by brokerage firm Centaurus Financial, Inc. has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or 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.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $450,000.00 on August 08, 2023.

Claimants allege that their former advisor recommended large, concentrated positions in high-risk, high-commission, and complex illiquid investment products and non-traded securities including various REITs, UITs and Closed-End Funds.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Garrick Gookin in Firm Centaurus Financial, Inc.

February 8, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

Currently financial advisor Garrick Gookin (Gookin), currently employed by brokerage firm Centaurus Financial, Inc. has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or 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.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $100,000.00 on May 31, 2024.

The customer alleges that the Registered Representative recommended an unsuitable, high-risk, illiquid investment and breached his fiduciary duty. No specific dates for the alleged activity were identified in the Statement of Claim.

Broker Richard Hubert depalma in Centaurus Financial, Inc. Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 3, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Richard Hubert depalma (Hubert depalma), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc., has at least 3 disclosable events. These events include 3 customer complaints, alleging that Hubert depalma recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $50,000.00 on December 07, 2024.

The customers allege that in april of 2020, the registered representative recommended an unsuitable, high-risk, illiquid investment and breached his fiduciary duty.