Broker Fraud

Investors Seek $455K In Damages Involving National Asset Management Adviser Willard Pugh

Published on: September 29, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Boca Raton Stockbroker Recently Named in Two FINRA Arbitration Complaints

Willard Louis Pugh, a National Asset Management financial advisor in Florida, is currently under scrutiny in the wake of customer allegations alleging unsuitable investment recommendations. Pugh, who has been in the securities industry for 32 years, is also a National Securities Corporation broker. He was recently named in two customer disputes filed in Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration.

The first investor claim, brought in June, seeks $300K in damages. William Pugh’s BrokerCheck record doesn’t specify what type of investment is involved. The second customer case, filed in July, names the United Development Funding V real estate investment trust (UDF V REIT). The claimant is seeking $155K.

FINRA Bars Ex-Newbridge Securities Broker Marshall Isaacson Following Unsuitability Claims

Published on: September 23, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Stockbroker Marshall Owen Isaacson Named in Four Customer Complaints Since 2019

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently barred Marshall Owen Isaacson, an ex- Newbridge Securities stockbroker based out of Boca Raton, Florida. Isaacson is accused by customers of making unsuitable investment recommendations and committing broker negligence. With 35 years in the industry, the now ex-registered representative worked at 12 broker-dealers.

Our Florida securities fraud attorneys have been speaking to former customers of Marshall Isaacson who may have suffered significant losses. Contact our securities fraud attorneys at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) online today.

More Customers File Unsuitability Claims Against ex-HD Vest Investment Services Broker Michael Kamperman

Published on: September 22, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

FINRA Suspends Waco, Texas Broker For 18 Months

Two investors have filed Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration complaints against Michael Allen Kamperman, who was most recently a former HD Vest Investment Services registered representative. Both customers are accusing him of making unsuitable and excessive trades on their behalf. Kamperman, who is based out of Texas, was suspended by FINRA last year.

Our Texas stockbroker fraud lawyers are currently investigating customer claims involving Michael Kamperman. Contact Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) today.

Monex Grupo Financiero Customers Lose $40M in Alleged Ponzi Scam

Published on: September 21, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Texas Brothers Sue Financial Services Company for $1.5M

After turning down a settlement that would have reimbursed them 60 cents for every dollar, brothers Jim and Ken Karger are suing Monex Grupo Financiero for the $1.5M they lost in an alleged decades-long Ponzi scam. This alleged scam not only defrauded them but also other expatriates living in the town of San Miguel de Allende resulting in a loss of up to $40M.

Mexico Daily News, which conducted an investigation into the allegations last year, found that the money was stolen from 150 Monex accounts held by expatriates, including retirees.

Frontier Communication Bonds Investors May Be Able To Recover Losses Through Broker Fraud Claims

Published on: September 11, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Following Bankruptcy Proceedings, Bondholders Turn to FINRA Arbitration

Now that Frontier Communications Corp. has filed for bankruptcy protection, investors who bought the company’s bonds may be grappling with how to recover their losses.

At Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm), our bond fraud lawyers are here to tell you that you may have grounds for a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim against the broker that sold you these investments.

FS Energy & Power Fund Investors Should Talk To A Broker Fraud Lawyer

Published on: September 8, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Franklin Square Energy and Power Fund’s Board Suspends Repurchase Program

If you are someone who invested in Franklin Square Energy and Power Fund (FSEP), you have likely experienced losses. The non-traded business development company’s (BDC) board recently announced that it was suspending its repurchase program and its share price has once again plunged.

While FSEP has pointed to COVID-19, the resulting turbulence, and oil prices sinking as reasons for its current woes, investors may have reason to pursue broker fraud and negligence claims if their broker-dealer unsuitably recommended this investment or failed to apprise them of the risks involved.

SEC Accuses Financial Advisor And Strategic Wealth Advisor Group of Stealing $2.2M From Senior Investors

Published on: September 4, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Investment Advisor Allegedly Defrauded Senior Investors to Fund Lavish Lifestyle

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against Mark Joseph Boucher, a California-based investment adviser, and his firm, Strategic Wealth Advisor Group Services.

Boucher and Strategic Wealth Advisor Group are accused of stealing $2.2M from older customers, including one who had died. Now, the regulator wants permanent injunctions, civil penalties, and disgorgement with prejudgment interest.

SEC Says Joseph Stone Capital Broker Ross Barish Defrauded 16 Investors

Published on: August 27, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Barish Earned Over $400K in Commissions from Excessive Trading Strategy

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed civil charges against Ross Adam Barish, a Joseph Stone Capital registered representative. The regulator contends that Barish engaged in an unsuitable in-and-out trading strategy in customers’ accounts without doing the necessary due diligence to make sure that this approach could at least deliver them minimal profits.

Instead, 16 retail investors collectively lost more than $800K while the Joseph Stone Capital broker earned more than $400K in commissions. Now, the SEC is seeking penalties, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and injunctive relief.

More Than 20 Investor Fraud Complaints Have Involved Ex-Morgan Stanley Broker Michael Paesano

Published on: August 26, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

The Latest Customer Claim Accuses Investment Advisor of Excessive Trading

Once again, an investor is blaming former Morgan Stanley stockbroker, Michael Frank Paesano, for their investment losses. These latest allegations involve excessive trading.

Although Paesano is no longer a registered broker, he is still a registered investment advisor and he may be affiliated with Axiom Investment Management. During Paesano’s 26 years in the industry, there have been more than twenty customer complaints brought against him. While four of these cases were denied, all of the other resolved claims have led to significant settlements, including one for $1.2M.

Walter Valenzuela Is Another Kestra Investment Services Broker Facing Fraud Allegations

Published on: August 24, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Pending Customer Complaints Seek $250K and $1M, Respectively

If you or someone you love lost money while working with stockbroker Walter Roland Valenzuela, our investor attorneys want to speak with you.

Valenzuela, who became a Kestra Investment Services broker this year, has been the subject of 10 customer complaints during his 27 years in the industry. The latest claim, brought in June, alleges elder abuse, misrepresentation, excessive trading, and unsuitable investment recommendations. The customer is seeking $250K in damages.