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Articles Posted in FINRA Arbitration

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Broker-dealers under the Advisor Group (which includes SagePoint Financial, Royal Alliance Associates Inc., Triad, Woodbury Financial Services, and FSC Securities) have increased legal reserves by about $4.4 million compared to the prior year, according to SEC filings. According to an InvestmentNews article, Royal Alliance, SagePoint, and FSC increased their reserves by as much as three times the amount of the prior year. GPB Sales Cost Broker-Dealers The Advisor Group firms say they increased their reserves for “legal and regulatory matters”, but don’t say exactly what those matters are. One issue that may be costing the firms is the sale of GPB Capital Holdings private placements, which recently was charged with running a Ponzi-like scheme and had three of its senior executives arrested.Broker-dealers under the Advisor Group (which includes SagePoint Financial, Royal Alliance Associates Inc., Triad, Woodbury Financial Services, and FSC Securities) have increased legal reserves by about $4.4 million compared to the prior year, according to SEC filings. Continue reading ›

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With the Department of Justice’s recent indictment of GPB Capital Holding’s executives, David Gentile, Jeffry Schneider, and Jeffrey Lash, for securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, it’s abundantly clear that investment fraud is alive and well in the industry. In that case, it is estimated that broker-dealers sold GPB to over 2,000 investors, with losses of up to $1.8 billion. Although investors understand the risks associated with investing, they often aren’t aware of the many avenues available to them to recover their losses if they occurred due to negligence, misconduct, or fraud by financial advisors and stockbrokers. If this is you, here’s what you need to know to recoup your GPB investments. FINRA Mediation Or Arbitration One of the most common pathways to recoup an investment is through a FINRA mediation or arbitration. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) is a government authorized non-profit designed to protect investors by overseeing and regulating U.S. broker-dealers. The government authorizes both the SEC and FINRA to take enforcement actions against broker-dealers who violate the law, including granting monetary awards to investors.With the Department of Justice’s recent indictment of GPB Capital Holding’s executives, David Gentile, Jeffry Schneider, and Jeffrey Lash, for securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, it’s abundantly clear that investment fraud is alive and well in the industry. Contact Silver Law Group to recover your GPB Losses. Continue reading ›

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for February 2021, 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
  Lawrence Fawcett, Jr.   Westpark Capital, Inc.
  Salomon Whitney Financial
  Lawrence Freedman   Newbridge Securities Corporation
  Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
  Ganesh Iyer   Morgan Stanley
  LPL Financial LLC
  Carolyn Neale   AXA Advisors, LLC
  UVest Financial Services Group, Inc.
  Paul Stanford   Santander Securities LLC
  Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
  Nelson Torrens   LPL Financial LLC
  UBS Financial Services Inc
  Wesley Wallace   Worden Capital Management LLC
  JD Nicholas & Associates, Inc.
  Maurice Wilde   Newbridge Securities Corporation
  IFS Securities

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FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the U.S. broker-dealer industry’s most prominent self-regulatory organization, authorized by Congress to protect investors by ensuring that the broker-dealer industry operates fairly and honestly. However, despite overseeing more than 600,000 brokers across the country, FINRA’s jurisdiction does not include Vlad Tenev, the CEO of Robinhood, who is not registered or licensed with the organization. Robinhood has been hailed as one of the fastest-growing online brokerage firms in the world, but has been the subject of extreme scrutiny over the past several weeks due to its role in recent market activity related to GameStop, AMC Theatres, and others. Many Brokerage CEOs Are Not FINRA-Registered Unfortunately, Tenev’s lack of FINRA registration is not an exception, but the industry norm. Robinhood’s response to this revelation has been that Tenev is the CEO of the holding company for Robinhood’s brokerage service, not the broker-dealer itself, meaning Tenev is not required to be registered. Nonetheless, FINRA’s website states that “we require individuals and firms who wish to conduct business with the investing public to achieve and maintain certification as members of FINRA.” Tenev’s implication in recent events has led many to question whether Tenev, and individuals in similar positions at other firms, should be deemed individuals conducting business with the investing public.FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the U.S. broker-dealer industry’s most prominent self-regulatory organization, authorized by Congress to protect investors by ensuring that the broker-dealer industry operates fairly and honestly. However, despite overseeing more than 600,000 brokers across the country, FINRA’s jurisdiction does not include Vlad Tenev, the CEO of Robinhood, who is not registered or licensed with the organization. Continue reading ›

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On February 4, 2021, a federal indictment was unsealed against three GPB Capital insiders: David Gentile, Jeffry Schneider, and Jeffrey Lash. Gentile was the founder, owner, and CEO of GPB Capital, Schneider was the CEO of Ascendant Capital, the placement agent for GPB, and Lash was a managing partner of GPB Capital primarily responsible for overseeing GPB’s investments in car dealerships. GPB Capital is a New York-based alternative asset manager that raised over $1.8 billion dollars from investors across the United States.  GPB offered a series of limited partnership deals, including: GPB Holdings, LP; GPB Holdings II, LP; GPB Automotive Portfolio, LP; GPB Waste Management, LP, and GPB Cold Storage, LP.  GPB was sold by a vast network of brokerage firms who promised protection of principal investment, a steady dividend payment, and major upside if GPB went public. GPB’s funds have not paid any distributions since 2018, have substantially declined in principal value, and are illiquid, meaning investors are stuck in these funds with no way to sell and/or recoup their losses.On February 4, 2021, a federal indictment was unsealed against three GPB Capital insiders: David Gentile, Jeffry Schneider, and Jeffrey Lash. Gentile was the founder, owner, and CEO of GPB Capital, Schneider was the CEO of Ascendant Capital, the placement agent for GPB, and Lash was a managing partner of GPB Capital primarily responsible for overseeing GPB’s investments in car dealerships. Continue reading ›

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A FINRA arbitration panel has awarded customers of Arete Wealth Management $515,000 for investment losses in risky GPB Capital Holdings private placements. The award is notable because Arete was ordered to pay $259,000 in client legal fees, which is not typical in FINRA arbitration awards. Arete Wealth Management, a broker-dealer based in Chicago with 35 offices, is known to sell high-risk alternative investments. Silver Law Group filed a FINRA arbitration claim against Arete on behalf of an elderly client who we alleged was sold unsuitable leveraged ETNs, ETFs, and non-traded REITS. Among the investments that caused our client significant losses were: American Finance Trust, Hospitality Investors Trust, and Benefit Partners Realty Trust. GPB Capital Holdings FINRA arbitration claims have been piling up against GPB Capital Holdings, a New York-based alternative asset management firm that raised $1.8 billion since its founding in 2013 by Scientologist David Gentile.A FINRA arbitration panel has awarded customers of Arete Wealth Management $515,000 for investment losses in risky GPB Capital Holdings private placements. The award is notable because Arete was ordered to pay $259,000 in client legal fees, which is not typical in FINRA arbitration awards. Continue reading ›

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for December 2020, 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
  Katie Blando   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
  Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
  Thomas Marino   R.M. Stark & Co., Inc.
  J.W. Cole Financial, Inc.
  Narinder Singh   Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC
  ProEquities, Inc.

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On behalf of investors, Silver Law Group is investigating junk bonds offered by now-bankrupt Hornbeck Offshore Services. Hornbeck Offshore bonds were sold to clients when they held a D rating by Standard and Poor’s, the lowest rating possible. About Hornbeck Offshore Services Hornbeck Offshore Services calls itself a “leading provider of marine transportation services to exploration and production, oilfield service, offshore construction and military customers.” After struggling with low oil prices and significant debt, including debt sold to investors as bonds, Hornbeck filed for bankruptcy. In September, 2020 Hornbeck announced that it had emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and completed a reorganization as a private company with a new board of directors. Investors in Hornbeck bonds lost their money.  On behalf of investors, Silver Law Group is investigating junk bonds offered by now-bankrupt Hornbeck Offshore Services. Hornbeck Offshore bonds were sold to clients when they held a D rating by Standard and Poor’s, the lowest rating possible.

About Hornbeck Offshore Services

Hornbeck Offshore Services calls itself a “leading provider of marine transportation services to exploration and production, oilfield service, offshore construction and military customers.” Continue reading ›

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Michael Martino (Michael Christopher Martino CRD#: 2579146) is a currently registered broker with Four Points Capital Partners LLC (CRD#: 43149) of New York, NY. His previous employers include Wedbush Securities Inc. (CRD#:877) of Tarrytown, NY, Brookstreet Securities Corporation (CRD#:14667) of White Plains, NY, and Emerson Bennett & Associates (CRD#:36171, expelled by FINRA in 2002) of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has been in the industry since 1995. Michael Martino is the subject of eight disclosures, three of which are current customer disputes. The most recent dispute was filed on 6/26/2020, with allegations that indicate “between 2014-2017, reps provided unsuitable recommendations with unsuitable concentrations, with unreasonable commissions and failure to know their customer.”  The client requests damages of $543,163.00. Martino denies the allegations, calling them “baseless.”Michael Martino (Michael Christopher Martino CRD#: 2579146) is a currently registered broker with Four Points Capital Partners LLC (CRD#: 43149) of New York, NY. His previous employers include Wedbush Securities Inc. (CRD#:877) of Tarrytown, NY, Brookstreet Securities Corporation (CRD#:14667) of White Plains, NY, and Emerson Bennett & Associates (CRD#:36171, expelled by FINRA in 2002) of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has been in the industry since 1995. Continue reading ›

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Silver Law GroupSilver Law Group is speaking with investors who have suffered losses investing in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) after their SunTrust brokers recommended the investment.  Since purchasing Northstar Financial Services investments, investors have experienced suspended monthly income payments, illiquidity and inability to surrender policies, and have lost virtually the entirety of their investments due to Northstar Financial Services’ recent collapse. Investors have alleged that their SunTrust financial advisors pitched Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) as a safe, stable investment product comparable to a bank CD.  Allegations include that SunTrust financial advisors promised guaranteed monthly returns as well as protection of principal.  Unfortunately, this did not pan out to be true, as Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) is on the verge of insolvency, and its owner, Greg Lindberg, has been convicted of fraud and bribery. What Is Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) Ltd.? Northstar Financial Services offers investment and annuity products.  The company is based in Bermuda and purports to offer various benefits, including tax shelters, not available for US-based investments.  Northstar Financial Services offers a wide range of fixed-rate and variable-rate investment, insurance, and/or annuity products, including, but not limited to: Global Interest Accumulator Global Advantage Plus Series Global Advantage Select Global VIP Elite Global Index Product is speaking with investors who have suffered losses investing in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) after their SunTrust brokers recommended the investment. Since purchasing Northstar investments, investors have experienced suspended monthly income payments, illiquidity and inability to surrender policies, and have lost virtually the entirety of their investments due to Northstar Financial Services’ recent collapse. Continue reading ›

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