Andrew Miles Subject Of $1M In Several Customer Disputes Over Unsuitable Investment Strategies
Andrew Miles (Andrew William Miles CRD# 5986774) is a former registered broker and investment advisor last employed with Green Vista Capital, LLC (CRD#:293630) of Winter Park, FL until 3/10/2021. Previously, he was registered with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (CRD#:126514) of Vero Beach, FL. He has been in the industry since 2011.
Andrew Miles is the subject of eight customer disputes with similar allegations, and five are currently listed as “pending”:
- Filed 5/2/2023, this dispute contains multiple allegations of unsuitability, negligence, fraud, breach of contract, violation of and aiding and abetting violation of the Florida Securities And Investor Protection Act, and “equitable rescission” (annulment of a contract). The customer requests damages of $700,000.
- Filed 8/2/2022, this dispute contains allegations of “unsuitable recommendation, breach of fiduciary duties, gross negligence and negligent hiring, retention and supervision of outside business activities.” This customer also requests damages of $700,000.
- Filed 3/4/2021, this dispute alleges breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and negligent supervision from 2014 through 2020. This dispute does not include any requested damages.
- Filed 7/21/2020, this dispute alleges that Miles recommended “clean coal tax credits” as an investment in 2012. These “tax credits” were sold by Miles’ personally owned companies, Pathfinder Business Strategies LLC/Tax Savings Professionals. The coal involved had already been processed, and the equipment involved was put into service in 2005, so the IRS denied the tax credits. Despite Miles’ claims that he would make the customer whole, the Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance claim was ultimately denied because the policy limits were exhausted following investigations by the FBI, DOJ and IRS. This customer requests damages of $100,000.
- Filed 5/30/2019, this dispute involves similar recommendations of purchasing “clean coal tax credits” sold by Miles’ own entities. This included “guaranteed tax savings” when using Miles’ recommended strategies. Miles then notified the customer that he was the victim of a “third party fraud,” and the customer did not receive any tax credits. This customer requests damages of $25,000 exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees.
The three settled cases are:
- Filed on 5/4/2021, the clients allege that Andrew Miles failed in due diligence for these “conservation easement investments” that were made on 12/22/2015, 12/3/2016, and 11/24/2017. The investments were misrepresented to the clients, and therefore, the clients did not fully understand these investments as presented. The clients initially requested damages of $126,656.00, and the claim was settled for $90,000.
- Also filed on 5/4/2021, this dispute includes similar allegations for investments made on 1/3/2019 and 11/15/2019 for the same “conservation easement investments.” The clients initially requested damages of $105,000, and the claim was settled for $150,000.
- Filed on 4/17/2019, this dispute includes the same allegations as the ones filed in 2021, including Miles’ own entities. The claimants allege that the issuing entity of these “clean coal energy tax credits,” named Ecotec, was not properly vetted prior to Miles’ recommendations. The clients requested damages of $1,677,344.00, and the claim was settled for $500,000.
FINRA has not initiated any disciplinary action against Miles. However, under FIRNA’s “two year rule,” formerly registered brokers stay under FINRA’s jurisdiction for at least two years after terminating their employment and registration. FINRA retains the right to request documents and information from the registered representative for investigative purposes. Furthermore, they must keep “books and records” for three years following termination of employment.
Did You Invest With Andrew Miles?
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