A National Securities Arbitration & Investment Fraud Law Firm

Articles Posted in Stockbroker Misconduct

Silver Law Group filed a FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of an investor who suffered losses after her financial adviser convinced her to loan him money, and then failed to repay it. The financial adviser developed a position of trust and confidence with Silver Law Group’s client, then convinced her that he had a unique investment opportunity which would make large profits for both of them. The adviser never disclosed that this is an improper practice in the brokerage industry or that his broker-dealer did not allow brokers to borrow money from customers. However, the customer alleges that the firm failed to properly supervise the financial advisor and engaged in elder financial fraud.Silver Law Group filed a FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of an investor who suffered losses after her financial adviser convinced her to loan him money, and then failed to repay it. The financial adviser developed a position of trust and confidence with Silver Law Group’s client, then convinced her that he had a unique investment opportunity which would make large profits for both of them. The adviser never disclosed that this is an improper practice in the brokerage industry or that his broker-dealer did not allow brokers to borrow money from customers. However, the customer alleges that the firm failed to properly supervise the financial advisor and engaged in elder financial fraud. Continue reading ›

The SEC recently issued a press release warning investors about investing in private placements. As the name suggests, it’s an alternative form of fundraising by hedge funds as well as startups and companies who aren’t ready to or interested in issuing an IPO (initial public offering.) These placements are generally offered only to select individual and institutional investors and have less regulatory requirements. They aren’t registered with the SEC because they aren’t traded publicly, so there isn’t as much information available for investors. But by their very nature, private placements can also be indicative of a fraudulent scheme. Not all private placements are fraudulent, but investors should always be aware and on guard for highly touted and unusual investments. The SEC has specific rules regarding these types of placements. While most investors do not understand Reg D or Private Placements, these are traditionally investments that do not trade on a public stock exchange.  In recent years, private placements have become popular amongst smaller broker-dealers who sell these complex investments to small investors claiming these investments offer greater security than the stock market.  However, in reality, these investments are illiquid and pay the broker a large commission.The SEC recently issued a press release warning investors about investing in private placements. As the name suggests, it’s an alternative form of fundraising by hedge funds as well as startups and companies who aren’t ready to or interested in issuing an IPO (initial public offering.) Continue reading ›

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for Aug 2022, 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
  Andrew Edenbaum   Allliance Global Partners
  National Securities Corporation
  Keith Esp   Vanderbilt Securities, LLC
  LPL Financial LLC
  Karl Foust Jr.   H.D. Vest Investment Services
  Gunnallen Financial, Inc.
  Robert Guidicipietro   Alexander Capital, L.P.
  Arive Capital Markets
  Robert Haas   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
  Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
  Christopher Johnson   Morgan Stanley
  UBS Financial Services Inc.
  Jeffrey Nunez   Chicago Investment Group, LLC
  Providential Securities, Inc.
  Izhar Shefer   APW Capital, Inc.
  Morgan Stanley
  Gretchen Wallace   Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
  Morgan Stanley

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for Aug 2022, 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
  Teresa Gomez   UBS Financial Services Inc.
  Pruco Securities, LLC
  Ann Montgomery   LPL Financial LLC
  National Planning Corporation
  Sean Winkler   Vanguard Marketing Corporation

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for Aug 2022, 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. However, these individuals remain bound by the securities arbitration agreement to arbitrate any disputes between themselves and their former customers:

NAME FORMER EMPLOYERS
  Roger Arnold  PFS Investments Inc
  Jimmy Cheng   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  Eddy Chou   Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
  Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
  Kara Gagnon   Global Atlanticv Distributors, LLC
  MetLife Investors Distribution Company
  Johana Jimenez
  Igor Kislitsa   PFS Investments Inc.
  Christopher McFadden   Equitable Advisors, LLC
  LPL Financial LLC
  John Molskness   Valic Financial Advisors, Inc.
  New England Securities
  Thomas Pfeiffer   MML Investors Services, LLC
  Chelsea Financial Services
  Emily Pich   Key Investment Services LLC
  Chase Investment Services Corp.
  Cari Spicer   Cavu Securities LLC
  Triton Pacific Securities, LLC
  Derick Strickland   Allstate Financial Services, LLC
  Khalil Watts   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
  Chiu Wu   Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
  Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC

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Shawn Good (Shawn Edward Good CRD# 2022168) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Morgan Stanley (CRD#: 149777) of Wilmington, NC. His previous employers were Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC (CRD#:19616), also of Wilmington, and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CRD#:5393) of San Francisco, CA. He has been in the industry since 1990.  Good has five disclosures on his record, three of which are customer disputes. The first was filed on 4/13/2022, alleging that from August 2019 to February 2022, he misappropriated funds from the customers’ Liquidity Access Line accounts. The clients request damages of $2,275,000.00; this claim is pending.  The latest claim was filed on 4/30/2022, with allegations that Good “misappropriated funds by soliciting an outside real estate investment opportunity” from 2015 through 2018. No damages are listed but this claim is also listed as pending.Shawn Good (Shawn Edward Good CRD# 2022168) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Morgan Stanley (CRD#: 149777) of Wilmington, NC. His previous employers were Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC (CRD#:19616), also of Wilmington, and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CRD#:5393) of San Francisco, CA. He has been in the industry since 1990. Continue reading ›

Philip Riposo (Philip Anthony Riposo CRD# 400056) is a former broker and investment advisor last registered with United Planners' Financial Services Of America A Limited Partner (CRD#:20804) of Cave Creek, AZ. Previous employers include Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. (CRD#:10641) of New Bedford, MA, LPL Financial Corporation (CRD#:6413) of East Falmouth, MA, and Securities America, Inc. (CRD#:10205) of Lavista, NE. He has been in the industry since 1973.  Philip Riposo was terminated from United Planners on 3/3/2022 after the firm discovered that he was accepting and depositing client checks made out to the name of his “Doing Business As” name (DBA), Riposo Asset Management. Additionally, Philip Riposo also created fictitious account statements and provided them to the clients from whom he received money for his DBA. The firm prohibits both activities. Upon investigation by United Planners, Riposo admitted to both, and was subsequently terminated.  United Planners issued a Uniform Termination Notice of Securities Industry Registration (Form U5) on 3/8/2022, detailing the reasons for termination. FINRA began its own investigation on 3/9/2022, requesting that Riposo appear for on-the-record testimony via videoconference on two occasions. The first was 3/15/2022, in which Riposo failed to appear, as well as the second, 3/28/2022. Riposo failed to appear on both occasions, violating FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.Philip Riposo (Philip Anthony Riposo CRD# 400056) is a former broker and investment advisor last registered with United Planners’ Financial Services Of America A Limited Partner (CRD#:20804) of Cave Creek, AZ. Previous employers include Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. (CRD#:10641) of New Bedford, MA, LPL Financial Corporation (CRD#:6413) of East Falmouth, MA, and Securities America, Inc. (CRD#:10205) of Lavista, NE. He has been in the industry since 1973. Continue reading ›

Christopher Passero (Christopher John Passero CRD# 2517681) is a registered broker and investment advisor who is currently registered with Money Concepts Capital Corp (CRD#: 12963) of Hurricane, West Virginia. He was previously employed with Emissary Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:44568) of Mentor, OH, and Money Concepts Capital Corp (CRD#:12963) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. He has been in the industry since 1994.  Most brokers and investment advisors want their clients to do well and make money. They help by offering recommendations and guidance on the best courses of action. But if those clients lose money, most brokers aren’t authorized to help compensate them for losses.  REIT Customers  While at Money Concepts Capital (“MCC,” 2006 through 2008) Passero recommended investments in a real estate investment trust, known as a REIT. In 2010, that REIT re-stated its value, reducing its share price and the amount of dividends paid to customers every month, with the final payments made in August of 2018. Following the dividends and distributions they received, many sustained losses.Christopher Passero (Christopher John Passero CRD# 2517681) is a registered broker and investment advisor who is currently registered with Money Concepts Capital Corp (CRD#: 12963) of Hurricane, West Virginia. He was previously employed with Emissary Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:44568) of Mentor, OH, and Money Concepts Capital Corp (CRD#:12963) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. He has been in the industry since 1994. Continue reading ›

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for June 2022, 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. However, these individuals remain bound by the securities arbitration agreement to arbitrate any disputes between themselves and their former customers:

NAME FORMER EMPLOYERS
  Robin Auguste   J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
  Yang Liang   NYLife Securities LLC
  Daniel Motola
  William Nicoloff, Jr.   Boustead Securities, LLC
  Bentley Securities Corporation
  Gregory Williams   Forta Financial Group, Inc.
  Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for June 2022, 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
  Dalila Costa-Leroy   Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
  National Securities Corporation
  Carlos Guzman   U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
  Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
  Michael Leahy   First Standard Financial Company LLC
  Alexander Capital, L.P.
  Henry Moore   LPL Financial LLC
  Summit Brokerage Services, Inc.
  Michael Muratore   Benchmark Investments, LLC
  LPL Financial LLC
  Scott Reynolds   Avatar Securities, LLC
  Spartan Securities Group, Ltd.
  James Shelburne   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  Jamie Worden   Worden Capital Management LLC
  Salomon Whitney LLC

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