All Releases

Former Independent Financial Group Broker Under Investigation for Allegedly Stealing Client Funds and Unsuitable Recommendations

September 21, 2016 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating FINRA-barred broker John Vernon Heath (CRD# 2331052) for stealing client funds and recommending unsuitable investments.

Heath was employed most recently at Independent Financial Group, LLC in Bloomington, Minnesota. Independent Financial Group then discharged Heath after he admitted to wrongfully taking client funds, according to his FINRA BrokerCheck report. Shortly thereafter, FINRA permanently barred Heath from securities industry for failing to respond to FINRA’s request for information.

The State of Minnesota Department of Commerce (“MDOC”) commenced a formal criminal action against Heath on the allegations. In the MDOC complaint, the MDOC alleges that Heath stole the identity of an elderly client and used the client’s funds on various personal expenditures totaling $78,744.54.

WestPark to Acquire Some Newport Coast Securities Reps

September 19, 2016 | Silver Law Group

WestPark to Acquire Some Newport Coast Securities Reps on silverlaw.com

A majority of these representatives may have official complaints filed against them

WestPark Capital Inc. is set to acquire some of 109 registered financial representatives from Newport Coast Securities, a small, independent broker-dealer based in Irvine, CA. It’s notable that 63% of Newport’s representatives have at least one “disclosure event” on their Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck reports, which, in most cases, means that an official complaint has been filed against them.

WestPark hires Newport reps with multiple disclosure events

Silver Law Group Files another FINRA Arbitration Complaint Against RBC Capital Markets for Unsuitable Recommendations in the Oil and Gas Industry

September 15, 2016 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group has filed a FINRA arbitration complaint against RBC Capital Markets, LLC (CRD# 31194) for unsuitable recommendations to invest in oil and gas securities.

Our client, an older individual, had been working with her RBC broker, Lisa J. Lowi (CRD# 1347790), for many years. Our client alleges she was primarily invested in high-quality bonds to ensure healthy and consistent income for herself in her retirement years.

Rather than investing in conservative investments the client alleges, Lowi pushed oil and gas investments, including master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), and overconcentrated our client in the industry. Lowi failed to disclose the high risks that come with investing in the oil and gas industry.

The Definitive Guide to Securities Arbitration and Mediation

September 1, 2016 | Silver Law Group

The Definitive Guide to Securities Arbitration and Mediation on silverlaw.com

If you decide to use FINRA’s dispute resolution process to resolve a dispute with a broker or financial firm, you have two options, arbitration and mediation.

When investors have a dispute with a brokerage firm registered with FINRA that cannot be settled through mutual agreement or outside settlement, the case may be arbitrated or mediated through FINRA’s dispute resolution forum, which includes both arbitration and mediation.

Securities arbitration and mediation have been found to be much faster, less expensive, and less complex than litigation when it comes to resolving financial disputes between investors and brokers, financial advisors, or brokerage firms.

Individuals Barred by FINRA in July 2016 for Violations of FINRA Rules

August 9, 2016 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for July 2016, the following individuals were barred from FINRA and cannot currently work for a FINRA brokerage firm for failing to provide FINRA with information it requested or to keep information current with FINRA pursuant to FINRA rules:

NAME	FORMER EMPLOYERS
Gordon W. Adamson	Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC
Stephen R. Anders	Capital One Investment Services LLC
Stephen R. Anders	BB&T Investment Services, Inc.
Jonathan Arroyo	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Alex Ernesto Batlle	Forest Securities, Inc.
Alex Ernesto Batlle	Princor Financial Services Corporation
James Frederick Brennan	T.R. Winston & Company, LLC
James Frederick Brennan	Gilford Securities Incorporated
Ruben Emilio Cardenas	BBVA Securities Inc.
Ruben Emilio Cardenas	BBVA Compass Investment Solutions, Inc.
Jessica Alyssa Diaz	Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
Tameika Andrea Frinks	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Ronald Fred Hanson	Valmark Securities, Inc.
Ronald Fred Hanson	Securities America, Inc.
Daniel Helkowski III	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
Daniel Helkowski III	Nationwide Securities, Inc.
Jose Alberto Huerta	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Jose Alberto Huerta	Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
Adrian Jablonski	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Adrian Jablonski	First Midwest Securities, Inc.
Chad Lewis Jackson	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Quyen Chi Loong	Aaron Capital Incorporated
Quyen Chi Loong	MetLife Securities Inc.
Elizabeth Grimaneza Looper	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Elizabeth Grimaneza Looper	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Matthew R. Mizera	Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
Matthew R. Mizera	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Lindsey Brooke Nelan
Justin Lee Norris	NYLife Securities LLC
Rafael Angel Ortiz	Cetera Investment Services LLC
Rafael Angel Ortiz	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Natalia Pesin	Pruco Securities, LLC
Linda A. Rapp
John M. Sayre	PFS Investments Inc.
Tanvir M. Shah
Brian Edward Shamash	State Farm VP Management Corp.
Keith Everett Sorrentino	Stock USA Execution Services, Inc.
Keith Everett Sorrentino	Regal Securities, Inc.
Thomas Suarez	Rockwell Global Capital LLC
Thomas Suarez	Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd
Michael John Tordone	TSC Distributors, LLC
Michael John Tordone	Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC
David Scott Whitesel	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
David Scott Whitesel	Chase Investment Services Corp.
David Lee Willis	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
David Lee Willis	Prudential Securities Incorporated
Eugene Harold Wray	PFS Investments Inc.

Silver Law Group represents investors in securities and investment fraud cases through FINRA arbitration or court. Our lawyers are admitted to practice in New York and Florida and represent investors nationwide in securities arbitration to help recover investment losses due to stockbroker misconduct. If you have any questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney. Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

FINRA Suspends Registered Individuals in June 2016 for Violations of FINRA Rules

July 29, 2016 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for June 2016, the following individuals were suspended from FINRA and cannot currently work for a FINRA brokerage firm for failing to provide FINRA with information it requested or to keep information current with FINRA pursuant to FINRA rules:

NAME	FORMER EMPLOYERS
Aaron Carter Armstrong	NYLife Securities LLC
Kora L. Crowder	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Wensi Guzman	Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
Wensi Guzman	World Group Securities, Inc.
Demitrios Hallas	PHX Financial, Inc.
Demitrios Hallas	Forefront Capital Markets LLC
James Harrington	State Farm VP Management Corp.
Don Richard Iley	Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
Don Richard Iley	World Group Securities, Inc.
Johnathan J. Joyce	PNC Investments
Johnathan J. Joyce	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Elias Nicholas Katsis	Legend Securities, Inc.
Elias Nicholas Katsis	Tryco Securities, Inc.
Jaoshiang Luo	Columbus Advisory Group, Ltd.
Jaoshiang Luo	Clark Dodge & Co, Inc.
Rafael Santiago	Primary Capital, LLC
Rafael Santiago	COR Clearing LLC
Jennifer A. Smith
Jonathon William Sullivan	U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Barbara Jean Waters	Morgan Stanley
Barbara Jean Waters	Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Michael David Woodard	Andrews Partners
Michael David Woodard	1792 Securities, LLC

Silver Law Group represents investors in securities and investment fraud cases through FINRA arbitration or court. Our lawyers are admitted to practice in New York and Florida and represent investors nationwide in securities arbitration to help recover investment losses due to stockbroker misconduct. If you have any questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney. Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

In June 2016, FINRA Bars Registered Individuals for Failure to Comply with FINRA Rules

July 29, 2016 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for June 2016, the following individuals were barred from FINRA and cannot currently work for a FINRA brokerage firm for failing to provide FINRA with information it requested or to keep information current with FINRA pursuant to FINRA rules:

NAME	FORMER EMPLOYERS
Vladimir Belyaev	Avenir Financial Group
Vladimir Belyaev	Coastal Equities, Inc.
Ho Choong Chung	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Ho Choong Chung	Key Investment Services LLC
Anthony S. Curcio	J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp.
George Jay Dobbins	Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.
George Jay Dobbins	Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
William Lee Hutchinson	IFS Securities
William Lee Hutchinson	J.P. Turner & Company, LLC
Daniel Seunghun Lee	NYLife Securities LLC
Janice Jean Ling
Charles Little	PFS Investments Inc.
Charles Holman Phelps	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
Charles Holman Phelps	Edward Jones
Michael Taylor Shuttlesworth	Crown Capital Securities, L.P.
Michael Taylor Shuttlesworth	LPL Financial Corporation
Mark Francis Speakman	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Mark Francis Speakman	IDS Life Insurance Company
Christopher George Taylor	Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments
Christopher George Taylor	Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
Sheena Anne Toney	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Sheena Anne Toney	Chase Investment Services Corp.

Silver Law Group represents investors in securities and investment fraud cases through FINRA arbitration or court. Our lawyers are admitted to practice in New York and Florida and represent investors nationwide in securities arbitration to help recover investment losses due to stockbroker misconduct. If you have any questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney. Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

In May 2016 FINRA Suspends Registered Individuals for Violations of FINRA Rules

July 6, 2016 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for May 2016, the following individuals were suspended from FINRA for failing to comply with a FINRA arbitration award or settlement agreement pursuant to FINRA rules:

NAME	FORMER EMPLOYERS
Dmitry Borochin	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Randy Lee Bostick	Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Jinesh Pravin Brahmbhatt	Success Trade Securities, Inc.
	LPL Financial Corporation
Thomas Andrew Buckley	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
	Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Robert Chan	Western International Securities, Inc.
	US Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Rodney Clyde Cochran	Mutual of Omaha Investors Services, Inc.
Kenneth Alan Comstock	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
	Wells Fargo Investments, LLC
Jaime Xavier Coronado	Nelsonreid, Inc.
	Wamu Investments, Inc.
Brandon Matthew Cortez	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
	Edward Jones
Canela Nicole Greenwood	UBS Financial Services Inc.
	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Michael Dennis Hampton	LPL Financial LLC
	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Osi Trevor Isaacs	Brookstone Securities, Inc.
	Reid & Rudiger LLC
Karen Suzanne Kane	Money Concepts Capital Corp
	OneAmerica Securities, Inc.
Aric Ellis Kent	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
	Wells Fargo Investments, LLC
Michael Van Lynch	Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
	Direct Capital Securities, Inc.
Rhonda Janeen Matthews	Prospera Financial Services, Inc.
	Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC
Geoffrey Weber Murvin	Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Thomas Wayne Ottman	Advanced Advisor Group, LLC
	Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc.
Markel Dashiell Petty	Direct Capital Securities, Inc.
Arra Poghossian	Scottrade, Inc.
	TD Ameritrade, Inc.
Travis Sherwood Shannon	Morgan Stanley
	Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc.
Gregory Alan Townes	Foresters Equity Services, Inc.
	Questar Capital Corporation
Kristin A. Tuchman	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
	Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Silver Law Group represents investors in securities and investment fraud cases through FINRA arbitration or court. Our lawyers are admitted to practice in New York and Florida and represent investors nationwide in securities arbitration to help recover investment losses due to stockbroker misconduct. If you have any questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney. Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

FINRA Bars Registered Individuals in May 2016 for Violations of FINRA Rules

July 1, 2016 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for May 2016, the following individuals were barred from FINRA and cannot currently work for a FINRA brokerage firm for failing to provide FINRA with information it requested or to keep information current with FINRA pursuant to FINRA rules:

NAME	FORMER EMPLOYERS
Steven Angelo Aguilar	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Randy Lamar Alford	Southeast Investments, N.C., Inc.
Randy Lamar Alford	Saxony Securities, Inc.
Jeffrey Alan Bond	David Lerner Associates, Inc.
Kenneth Martin Dlouhy	Cantone Research Inc.
Kenneth Martin Dlouhy	Aegis Capital Corp.
Michael Winston Hefner	FBL Marketing Services, LLC
Michael Winston Hefner	Equitrust Marketing Serv LLC
Kristal Lee Johnson	Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
Kristal Lee Johnson	State Farm VP Management Corp.
Roy Edward Jones	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Roy Edward Jones	Castleoak Securities, LP
Kayla Arlene Paul-Lindsey	Park Avenue Securities LLC
Kayla Arlene Paul-Lindsey	MML Investors Services LLC
Valinda Kay Turner
Kenya Julissa Zavala	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Kenya Julissa Zavala	Chase Investment Services Corp

Silver Law Group represents investors in securities and investment fraud cases through FINRA arbitration or court. Our lawyers are admitted to practice in New York and Florida and represent investors nationwide in securities arbitration to help recover investment losses due to stockbroker misconduct. If you have any questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney. Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

FINRA Suspends Registered Individuals for Violations of FINRA Rules in May 2016

July 1, 2016 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for May 2016, the following individuals were suspended from FINRA and cannot currently work for a FINRA brokerage firm for failing to provide FINRA with information it requested or to keep information current with FINRA pursuant to FINRA rules:

NAME	FORMER EMPLOYERS
Gordon W. Adamson	Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC
Stephen R. Anders	Capital One Investing, LLC
Stephen R. Anders	BB&T Investment Services, Inc.
Alex Ernesto Batlle	Forest Securities, Inc.
Alex Ernesto Batlle	Princor Financial Services Corporation
James Frederick Brennan	T.R. Winston & Company, LLC
James Frederick Brennan	Gilford Securities Incorporated
Christopher David Campbell	Waddell & Reed
Ruben Emilio Cardenas	BBVA Securities Inc.
Ruben Emilio Cardenas	BBVA Compass Investment Solutions, Inc.
Jessica Alyssa Diaz	Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
David Glenn Gott	Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc.
David Glenn Gott	Berthel, Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc.
Ronald Fred Hanson	Valmark Securities, Inc.
Ronald Fred Hanson	Securities America, Inc.
Daniel Helkowski III	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
Daniel Helkowski III	Nationwide Securities, Inc.
Li-Lin Hsu	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Jose Alberto Huerta	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Jose Alberto Huerta	Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
Adrian Jablonski	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Adrian Jablonski	First Midwest Securities, Inc.
Sean Francis Lanci	Rothschild Lieberman LLC
Sean Francis Lanci	J. Streicher Capital LLC
Quyen Chi Loong	Aaron Capital Inc
Quyen Chi Loong	Metlife Securities Inc.
Elizabeth Grimaneza Looper	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Elizabeth Grimaneza Looper	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Calvin Edward Moores	Independent Financial Group, LLC
Calvin Edward Moores	Centaurus Financial Inc.
Justin L. Norris	NYLife Securities LLC
Rafael Angel Ortiz	Cetera Investment Services LLC
Rafael Angel Ortiz	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Natalia Pesin	Pruco Securities, LLC
Linda A. Rapp
Virgil Queano Santos Jr.	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
John M. Sayre	PFS Investments Inc.
Brian Edward Shamash	State Farm VP Management Corp.
Keith Everett Sorrentino	Stock USA Execution Services, Inc.
Keith Everett Sorrentino	Regal Securities, Inc.
Michael John Tordone	TSC Distributors, LLC
Michael John Tordone	Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC
David Scott Whitesel	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
David Scott Whitesel	Chase Investment Services Corp.
David Lee Willis	Allstate Financial services, LLC
David Lee Willis	Prudential Securities Incorporated
Eugene Harold Wray	PFS Investments Inc.

Silver Law Group represents investors in securities and investment fraud cases through FINRA arbitration or court. Our lawyers are admitted to practice in New York and Florida and represent investors nationwide in securities arbitration to help recover investment losses due to stockbroker misconduct. If you have any questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney. Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.