Investor Lawyers Blog

FINRA Suspends Fired First Southern Securities Broker Jaime Sanchez Rivera

Published on: September 30, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

New Customer Dispute Seeks $250K in Damages

Ex-Puerto Rico stockbroker, Jaime Isaac Sanchez Rivera, was recently fired by First Southern Securities. The termination came in the wake of allegations that he didn’t notify the broker-dealer about a customer complaint right away, as well as accusations of copying and modifying documents without permission. Sanchez Rivera also was recently named in a $250K customer complaint.

In June, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) indefinite suspension of Sanchez Rivera went into effect. The suspended stockbroker also is a former registered investment advisor, most recently with SB Advisory and FSAM, LLC.

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.

Ex-Kalos Capital Broker Curtis Whipple Accused of Unsuitability & Misrepresentation Involving UDF IV

Published on: September 28, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Latest FINRA Arbitration Claim Allege REIT Losses

A number of investors recently filed a customer complaint against former Kalos Capital broker, Curtis Leroy Whipple, who was with the firm out of Plymouth, Michigan until this year. He faces allegations of unsuitability, misrepresentations, and lack of due diligence related to the claimants’ United Development Funding IV (UDF IV) losses.

UDF IV is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that mostly invests in secured loans for acquiring and developing land into single-family home lots, as well as to construct homes and model homes. UDF IV and the other UDF non-traded REITs have been accused in recent years of being part of a $1B Ponzi scam. United Development Funding is based out of Dallas, Texas.

Florida Retiree Loses Money in GPB Private Placements & REITs While Under Supervision Of CFG Capital Management Advisor Mark Cline

Published on: September 25, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Investor’s FINRA Arbitration Claim Seeks Damages of Up to $100K in GPB Private Placements and Other Securities

A Florida retiree has filed a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim against the brokerage firm, National Securities Corp.

The claimant contends that agents of National Securities Corp overconcentrated his account in real estate investment trusts (REITs), privately traded securities, and private placements. This included a large position in GPB Capital Holdings, which is accused of operating an over $1.7B Ponzi scam.

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.

Ex-GPB Capital Holdings CCO Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government Property

Published on: September 16, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Michael Cohn Allegedly Stole Information About SEC Probe Into GPB Ponzi Scam Allegations

Nearly a year after he was charged with obstruction of justice, Michael Cohn, the former Chief Compliance Officer of GPB Capital Holdings, has pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor crime of theft of government property.

The initial charges against him had been classified as federal crimes and included obstruction of justice, unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, and unauthorized computer access.

Ex-UBS Broker and IHT Wealth Management Investment Advisor Frederick Kort Accused Of Unsuitable Investment Recommendations Involving Options Overlay Strategy

Published on: September 15, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Pending Allegations Likely Involve UBS YES Strategy

Frederick Maximillian Kort, a former UBS Financial (UBS) broker, is facing allegations that he made misrepresentations when making unsuitable investment recommendations to customers.

According to his BrokerCheck record, there are two pending customer disputes against him, both involving an options overlay strategy. While the disclosure does not specifically state so, this is likely UBS’s Yield Enhancement Strategy, in which many of the firm’s registered representatives have come under fire for selling to investors.

Former Customer of Ex-Raymond James Broker Paul Steffany Wins $320K Award

Published on: September 14, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Family Trust to Receive Compensatory Damages From Broker-Dealer

In its Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim against Raymond James & Associates and former broker Paul Anthony Steffany, the Angelina J. Cuccaro Family Trusted was awarded $320K in compensatory damages.

The claimant contends that it was the victim of broker negligence and the firm’s failure to supervise. The former Connecticut broker was barred by the self-regulatory organization (SRO) in 2015.