FINRA Disciplinary Actions

Broker Matthew DiGregorio Who Has Worked at 18 Different Firms Under Investigation After FINRA Bar

February 27, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former New York broker Matthew DiGregorio after FINRA permanently barred him.

According to DiGregorio’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA permanently barred DiGregorio after he told FINRA staff that he does not intend to honor an award that a FINRA arbitration panel ordered him to pay to his former partners at a FINRA member firm. Further, the complaint DiGregorio was named a respondent in alleges that DiGregorio made false representations to the FINRA panel regarding claims that his child was involved in an accident in order to extend the hearing sessions.

This is not the first time DiGregorio has been punished by FINRA for similar misconduct. In August 2015, FINRA suspended DiGregorio for failing to comply with a settlement agreement or arbitration award or to satisfactorily update FINRA on the status of his compliance.

FINRA Bars Registered Individuals for Failure to Comply with FINRA Rules in February 2017

February 17, 2017 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for February 2017, 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
Troy Christopher Baldridge	Capital Securities Management, Inc.
Troy Christopher Baldridge	Anderson & Strudwick, Inc.
Shawn Aaron Bedford	Edward Jones
William Joseph Broccio	Meyers Associates, LP
William Joseph Broccio	Blackbook Capital, LLC
Michael James Coolican IV	LPL Financial LLC
Michael James Coolican IV	Edward Jones
Brian Michael Gamard	Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
Brian Michael Gamard	John Thomas Financial
Brian Marc Kennison	U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Brian Marc Kennison	Financial West Group
Jonathan H. Lowell
Sekou Mansur McClendon	Equinox Securities, Inc.
Sekou Mansur McClendon	Cape Securities, Inc.
Neil David Pecker	Coastal Equities, Inc.
Neil David Pecker	Vision Financial Partners, LLC
Patrick Lee Perales	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Jean Paul Pierre
Bryan Daniel Quigley	MetLife Securities Inc.
Bryan Daniel Quigley	New England Securities
Kimberly Charisse Rice	Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
Jon Brett Schmidhammer	Stifel, Nicolaus & Company
Jon Brett Schmidhammer	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Jay Steven Sutherland	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Jay Steven Sutherland	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Patrick Justin White, Sr.	Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd.
Patrick Justin White, Sr.	Blackbook Capital 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.

Registered Individuals Suspended by FINRA in February 2017 for Failure to Comply with FINRA Rules

February 17, 2017 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for February 2017, 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
Michael Allen Becking	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Vladimir Belyaev	Avenir Financial Group
	Coastal Equities, Inc.
Alina Brindusescu	U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
	HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
Scott Louis Capone	Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
	WM Financial Services, Inc.
Mckyle Clyburn	GunnAllen Financial, Inc.
	Maximum Financial Investment Group, Inc.
Ronald Scott Cole	UBS Financial Services Inc.
	Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Willard Lee Golightly	Kelly Compton Investments LLC
	SCF Securities, Inc.
Gerard Chandler Gremillion	Profinancial, Inc.
	Chad Gremillion
Ross H. Mandell	Sky Capital LLC
	Granta Capital Group LLC
Dan Moss Jr.	Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
	UBS Financial Services Inc.
Manoj Pataudi Mudgal	Morgan Stanley
	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Richard James Murphy	Tullett Prebon Financial Services LLC
	Citation Financial Group, LP
Drew Anthony Romeo	Morgan Stanely
	UBS Financial Services Inc.
Rob Salinger	U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc.
Michael David Schwartz	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Inc.
	Barclays Capital Inc.
Leonard Gregory Stover	Cetera Advisors LLC
	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Joe Don Treece	Arvest Wealth Management
	Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Christopher Robert Vanstelle	Steelpoint Securities, LLC
	WBB Securities, LLC
Stephen Arnold Vaughan	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
	Ameriprise Advisor Services, Inc.
Richard Diego Vega	Raymond James & Associates, 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 Suspends Registered Individuals for Violations of FINRA Rules in February 2017

February 17, 2017 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for February 2017, 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
Roberto Omar Bastardo	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Bernard B. Beal	Blaylock Robert Van LLC
Bernard B. Beal	M.R. Beal & Company
Christopher John Calandrino	Joseph Stone Capital LLC
Christopher John Calandrino	Cape Securities Inc.
Munaem Choudhury	Chelsea Financial Services
Munaem Choudhury	Brookstone Securities, Inc
Donald Joseph Coleman	Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Dawn Deshean Davenport	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Thomas A. Davis	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
John Scott Elliott	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Sherman Lee Greer	LPL Financial LLC
Sherman Lee Greer	UVest Financial Services Group, Inc.
John Francis Hart	WFG Investments, Inc.
John Francis Hart	Questar Capital Corporation
Raul Enrique Jacobs	Waddell & Reed
Raul Enrique Jacobs	T2 Asset Management, LLC
Adela Ovadia Levy
Derrick Joseph Luttrell	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Derrick Joseph Luttrell	Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Roxanna Andrea Marin	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Farid Morim	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Farid Morim	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Ryan Edward O’Neal Jr.
Brian Thomas Perry	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Brian Thomas Perry	IDS Life Insurance Company
Francesco Anthony Scarso	First Standard Financial Company LLC
Francesco Anthony Scarso	PHX Financial, Inc.
Keith Patrick Sequeira	Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
Keith Patrick Sequeira	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Bryan Michael Snyder	J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC
Bryan Michael Snyder	Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
Melanie Sherry Sweet	Hamershlag Sulzberger Borg Capital Markets
Melanie Sherry Sweet	Southlake Capital, 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.

Arizona LPL Financial Broker Dominic T. DeBruin Under Investigation After FINRA Bar

February 10, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Arizona-based LPL Financial LLC (CRD# 6413) broker Dominic T. DeBruin (CRD# 2788196) after FINRA permanently barred the broker.

According to DeBruin’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA permanently barred DeBruin from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities to the public.

According to the FINRA BrokerCheck report, DeBruin, without admitting or denying the findings, consented to FINRA entry of findings that he refused to provide information and documents and to appear for on-the-record testimony as requested by FINRA.

California Kestra Broker Tom Puentes Under Investigation Over Alleged Unauthorized and Unsuitable Transactions in Puerto Rican Bonds

January 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating California-based Kestra Investment Services, LLC (CRD# 42046) broker Tom A. Puentes (CRD# 1713812) amidst 23 disclosures on his FINRA BrokerCheck report.

According to Puentes’ FINRA BrokerCheck report, Puentes has a total of 23 disclosures, with 15 settling for over $750,000. A large majority of the settled claims allege unauthorized and unsuitable transactions in Puerto Rican municipal bonds.

Puentes’ actions concerning the settlements occurred while he was employed by Morgan Stanley (CRD# 149777). Morgan Stanley discharged Puentes in October 2014 over allegations against Puentes over his use of discretionary trading without written authorization.

Miami-based Broker Fernando de la Lama Merino Under Investigation

January 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Miami, Florida EFG Capital International (CRD# 40118) broker Fernando de la Lama Merino (CRD# 2257749) after FINRA permanently barred him.

According to Merino’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA initiated a regulatory action against Merino in October 2016. The action states, according to Merino’s BrokerCheck report, that Merino was named a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that he failed to provide any response to requests for documents and information related to a FINRA investigation into his potential misconduct involving the sales of illiquid structured notes and bonds referred by a foreign individual while he was associated with a FINRA member firm.

Structured notes have been subject to investor alerts and bulletins by both the SEC and FINRA.

Former New York Ridgeway & Conger Broker Kenley Brisard Under Investigation

January 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Jericho, New York Ridgeway & Conger, Inc. (CRD# 113055) Kenley Brisard (CRD# 2641960) after FINRA permanently barred the broker.

According to Brisard’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA permanently barred Brisard.

According to Brisard’s BrokerCheck report, in January 2016 Brisard was named a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that he sold an unregistered security. FINRA found that Brisard sold unsuitable investments at undisclosed markups of 14-33 percent using general solicitation emails that fraudulently misrepresented the product and the respondent’s role in its development.

National Securities Corporation Broker Leigh M. Garber Suspended by FINRA

January 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating New Woodstock, New York-based National Securities Corporation (CRD# 7569) Leigh M. Garber (CRD# 2768572) after FINRA fined the broker $10,000 and suspended her for three months.

According to Garber’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, in October 2016, FINRA and Garber entered into an Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (“AWC”) concerning the allegations.

Without admitting or denying the findings, Garber consented to the sanctions and certain findings. According to the AWC, Garber, as president and CEO of a Ridgeway & Conger, allowed her member firm to conduct a securities business while not maintaining sufficient net capital. According to the AWC, Garber was responsible for the firm’s net capital compliance.

Registered Individuals Barred by FINRA in January 2017 for Failing to Comply with FINRA Rules

January 23, 2017 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for January 2017, 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
Debbie Sue Arnold	Farmers Financial Solutions LLC
Bridgett Elizabeth Beard
Anthony Joseph Calascione	Astor Wealth Management
Anthony Joseph Calascione	Legend Financial Management
Samuel David Campos	JP Morgan Securities LLC
Samuel David Campos	Chase Investment Services Corp
Ladonna Carlisle
Nichele Alexis Cavins
Shannon Kathleen Daniels	US Bancorp Investments Inc.
Shannon Kathleen Daniels	Commerce Brokerage Services Inc.
Jonathan Roth Ellis	Pruco Securities LLC
Michael Joseph Farinella	Allstate Financial Services LLC
Ricky Reid Harris Jr.	JP Morgan Securities LLC
Oded Joseph Jacobowitz	Securities America Inc.
Oded Joseph Jacobowitz	JP Morgan Securities LLC
Erik Scott Jacobsen	Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
Erik Scott Jacobsen	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Andrew Scott Jensen	Horner Townsend & Kent Inc.
Andrew Scott Jensen	AXA Advisors LLC
Tedla Ebou Khan	Goldman Sachs & Co.
Bilal Samouri McClendon	Equinox Securities Inc.
Bilal Samouri McClendon	JP Turner & Company LLC
Kevin Michael Murphy	BMO Harris Financial Advisors Inc.
Kevin Michael Murphy	LPL Financial LLC
Christopher Vincent Paul	Joseph Stone Capital LLC
Christopher Vincent Paul	Aegis Capital Corp
Jennifer Rainwater
Theodore Gerald Rothman	First Allied Securities, Inc.
Theodore Gerald Rothman	Rothman Securities, Inc.
Craig Clifford Ruschmeyer	Feltl & Company
Craig Clifford Ruschmeyer	Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
David Aaron Seigerman	Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
David Aaron Seigerman	Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
David Garrett Shaw	LPL Financial LLC
David Garrett Shaw	Private Advisor Group LLC
Ladd W. Tanner	Trustmont Financial Group Inc.
Ladd W. Tanner	Tanner Financial Services LLC
Dang Hung To	Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
William Upchurch Jr.	PFS Investments Inc.
Michael Vetere	Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc.
Michael Vetere	Penn Mutual Life Ins Co
Kuana Nicole Vick	First Citizens Investor Services, Inc.
Larry Phillip Vogel	IFS Securities
Larry Phillip Vogel	Ausdal Financial Partners Inc.
William Christopher Wade	Prudential Investment Management Services LLC
William Christopher Wade	USAA Financial Advisors 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.