GPB Private Placements

FINRA Fines National Securities $9M Over GPB Private Placement Sales

Published on: July 5, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Broker-Dealer Ordered to Pay Customers More Than $625K in Restitution

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sanctioned National Securities Corporation for about $9M, including $4.77M disgorgement in net profits. The broker-dealer allegedly tried to artificially impact the market for GPB private placements involving several public offerings while serving as the underwriter. GPB Capital Holdings is accused of operating a more than $1.7B Ponzi scam that defrauded over 17,000 investors.

National Securities must pay over $625K in restitution for allegedly not disclosing certain material information to customers who bought GPB private placements. FINRA fined the firm $3.6M for alleged broker misconduct and other violations.

Dempsey Lord Smith, BD4IA, and Geneos Wealth Management Fined For Selling GPB Private Placements To Customers

Published on: April 8, 2022 | by Samuel B. Edwards

FINRA Accuses Broker-Dealers of Negligence and Unsuitability

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently fined three brokerage firms for negligently selling GPB Capital Holdings private placements to retail customers. The broker-dealers are Dempsey Lord Smith, BD4RIA, and Geneos Wealth Management.

They have agreed to pay a $70K fine plus more than $30K restitution (with interest), a $45K fine along with $40K restitution, and $400K, respectively. The self-regulatory organizations’ (SRO’s) case against Geneos is also over its sales of the LJM Preservation & Growth Fund to customers.

MSC-BD Ordered to Pay Widow $221K Over GPB Private Placement Losses

Published on: February 28, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Former MSC-BD Broker Robert Fehrman Made Unsuitable GPB Private Placement Recommendations

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has awarded a widow $221K in compensatory damages, legal fees, and costs against brokerage firm MSC-BD, LLC over losses she sustained in GPB private placements. GPB Capital Holdings is accused of running a more than $1.8B Ponzi scam that defrauded over 17,000 investors, including many seniors and retail clients.

MSC-BD is a broker-dealer owned by Austin, Texas-based investment banking firm Madison Street Capital. The widow’s ex-broker, Robert Malone Fehrman, is no longer with the firm. At least one other customer accuses him of selling investments in the GPB Funds.

Investor Pursues $500K GPB Capital Claim Against TD Ameritrade

Published on: November 26, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

GPB Private Placements Were Sold Through Brokerage Firm’s AdvisorDirect® Service

An investor recently filed a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim against broker-dealer TD Ameritrade over losses sustained in GPB investments. The private placements from GPB Capital Holdings were recommended by an investment advisor via the TD Ameritrade AdvisorDirect® Referral Program.

GPB Capital Holdings LLC is accused of operating an over $1.7B Ponzi scam that defrauded over 17,000 investors. The claimant is seeking $500K in damages.

Utah Retirees File Six-Figure GBP Investor Claim Against Woodbury Financial Services

Published on: October 27, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Couple’s FINRA Arbitration Claim Seeks Up to $500K in Damages

A retired couple from Payson, Utah have filed a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim against Woodbury Financial Services over losses they sustained while investing in GPB Capital Holdings LLC, CIM REIT, and other privately traded entities. Now, they are seeking up to $500K in damages.

Our investment fraud lawyers are representing these investors in their FINRA arbitration claim against Woodbury. This is one of many securities cases we have filed against the broker-dealers that enriched themselves in the alleged $1.7B Ponzi scheme. The hearing will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Customers of Vanderbilt Financial Broker Jeffrey Gitterman Seek Damages for Unsuitable Investments

Published on: August 16, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Vanderbilt Financial Advisor Accused of Using “Worst” Sales Tactics to Sell GPB Investments

If you suffered financial losses while working with Vanderbilt Financial registered representative Jeffrey Lewis Gitterman, you may have grounds for pursuing damages through Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration.

The Edison, New Jersey broker is currently named in two pending customer disputes. He also was accused in an InvestmentNews article of being one of the brokers to employ the “worst tactics” when selling GPB private placements to customers while he was a Triad Advisors financial advisor.

Lion Street Financial Broker Richard Baer Named in Disputes Seeking $1.85M in Damages

Published on: June 22, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Customers of Lion Street Financial Broker Richard Baer Suffered Over $1.8m in Investment Losses

Lion Street Financial stockbroker, Richard Evan Baer, who is also a registered investment advisor with both React Investment Solutions, LLC and Legacy Capital California, has been named by investors in two pending complaints seeking $1.8M in damages for investment losses they suffered. Three other customer disputes have resulted in settlements.

Our California securities law firm is looking into other claims of losses by customers of Richard Baer. Please contact Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyer.com) today to request your free, no-obligation consultation at (619) 550-4847.

Ex-SagePoint Financial Broker Dan Dillard Sold GPB Private Placements to Customers

Published on: May 13, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Former Texas Stockbroker Founded Nest Financial in Austin

Our GPB private placement lawyers are investigating investment losses suffered by former customers of ex-SagePoint Financial registered representative, Daniel G. Dillard. Although he is no longer a registered broker, Dillard remains a registered investment advisor and the founder of Nest Financial in Austin.

He is currently named in two pending customer disputes, including one Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration case over private placements in which the claimants are seeking $1.5M in damages.

Purshe Kaplan Pays $1.6M Settlement To 50 Investors

Published on: April 23, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Boutique Broker-Dealer Pays Another 7-Figures to Resolve Customer Disputes

Independent brokerage firm Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Inc. has agreed to settle another Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim with investors. This time, 50 customers had pursued financial recovery from the firm.

According to the broker-dealer’s yearly audited financial statement that it recently submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the settlement amount is $1.6M. Wentworth Management Services, which owns the firm, will pay $1.2M while its insurer will cover the rest.

SEC Says GPB Capital Holdings CEO and Executives Defrauded Over 17,000 Investors In $1.7B Ponzi Scam

Published on: February 5, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Justice Department Files Parallel Criminal Charges Against GPB Capital’s David Gentile and Others

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed civil charges against GPB Capital Holdings CEO and owner David Gentile, ex-GPB managing partner Jeffrey Lash, Ascendant Capital owner Jeffry Schneider, and affiliated entities, including Ascendant Alternative Strategies, of defrauding 17,000 retail investors in a more than $1.7B in a Ponzi-like scam.

GPB Capital Holdings, an alternative asset firm that invests in auto dealerships and waste management, has been under investigation over Ponzi fraud allegations by the SEC, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and others for more than two years. Now, in a parallel case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York has filed criminal charges indicting Gentile, Lash, and Schneider. If convicted, they could each spend up to two decades in prison.