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Articles Posted in Stockbroker Misconduct

In the wake of recent market turbulence, it is important to remember that some investment losses are not “investment” losses at all, but rather losses that are the result of stockbroker theft, fraud, Ponzi schemes, and otherwise.  Silver Law Group continues to investigate cases of stockbroker theft nationwide. Unfortunately, FINRA continues to report multiple cases of brokers improperly taking money from clients, taking improper loans or deceptively selling investments directly controlled by a stockbroker or financial advisor.In the wake of recent market turbulence, it is important to remember that some investment losses are not “investment” losses at all, but rather losses that are the result of stockbroker theft, fraud, Ponzi schemes, and otherwise.

Silver Law Group continues to investigate cases of stockbroker theft nationwide. Unfortunately, FINRA continues to report multiple cases of brokers improperly taking money from clients, taking improper loans or deceptively selling investments directly controlled by a stockbroker or financial advisor. Continue reading ›

Cetera Financial Group, comprised of Cetera Advisors, Cetera Advisor Networks, First Allied Securities, and Summit Brokerage Services, recently announced that it is halting sales of non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and interval funds, citing the likely inaccuracy of real estate valuations leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cetera Financial Group has approximately 8,000 registered representatives operating across the country who are subject to this policy.Cetera Financial Group, comprised of Cetera Advisors, Cetera Advisor Networks, First Allied Securities, and Summit Brokerage Services, recently announced that it is halting sales of non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) and interval funds, citing the likely inaccuracy of real estate valuations leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cetera Financial Group has approximately 8,000 registered representatives operating across the country who are subject to this policy. Continue reading ›

Investors in YayYo (YAYO), a ride-hailing vehicle supply company, were disappointed to find out that their shares, which originally sold for $4.00 per share, are now worth pennies. A lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York, FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC v. Aegis Capital Corp., et al., alleges that this decimation of stock value was the result of fraud. Specifically, the suit accuses the IPO underwriters, including Aegis Capital Corp., of concealing that its founder/CEO/director, Ramy El-Batrawi, controlled the company despite El-Batrawi’s “checkered past with allegations of securities violations by the federal securities authorities,” according to the Complaint.Investors in YayYo (YAYO), a ride-hailing vehicle supply company, were disappointed to find out that their shares, which originally sold for $4.00 per share, are now worth pennies. A lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York, FirstFire Global Opportunities Fund, LLC v. Aegis Capital Corp., et al., alleges that this decimation of stock value was the result of fraud. Specifically, the suit accuses the IPO underwriters, including Aegis Capital Corp., of concealing that its founder/CEO/director, Ramy El-Batrawi, controlled the company despite El-Batrawi’s “checkered past with allegations of securities violations by the federal securities authorities,” according to the Complaint. Continue reading ›

Silver Law Group is investigating Cetera Advisors, LLC and its registered representative David Rockwell. According to Rockwell’s CRD Report, published by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Rockwell was permanently barred from the securities industry and has been the subject of several customer disputes arising out of his misconduct over the past several years, involving allegations of fraud and misappropriation of customer’s funds. Rockwell (CRD# 4236377) has also been the subject of several criminal proceedings, involving charges of stalking, driving while intoxicated, obstruction, and even assault.Silver Law Group is investigating Cetera Advisors, LLC and its registered representative David Rockwell. According to Rockwell’s CRD Report, published by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Rockwell was permanently barred from the securities industry and has been the subject of several customer disputes arising out of his misconduct over the past several years, involving allegations of fraud and misappropriation of customer’s funds. Continue reading ›

Silver Law Group recently filed a FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of a customer of David Krumrey of Oppenheimer & Co.  Among other things, the suit alleges breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of contract, and failure to supervise resulting in substantial investment losses in the customer’s account. Silver Law Group has been investigating Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. and its registered representative David Krumrey. According to Krumrey’s CRD Report, published by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), Krumrey was permanently barred from the securities industry and is the subject of several customer disputes arising out of his conduct over the past several years. It is likely that Krumrey was engaged in widespread misconduct across many customer accounts. Silver Law Group believes Krumrey’s employing broker-dealer firm, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., may be liable for this misconduct.Silver Law Group recently filed a FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of a customer of David Krumrey of Oppenheimer & Co.  Among other things, the suit alleges breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of contract, and failure to supervise resulting in substantial investment losses in the customer’s account.

Silver Law Group has been investigating Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. and its registered representative David Krumrey. According to Krumrey’s CRD Report, published by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), Krumrey was permanently barred from the securities industry and is the subject of several customer disputes arising out of his conduct over the past several years. It is likely that Krumrey was engaged in widespread misconduct across many customer accounts. Silver Law Group believes Krumrey’s employing broker-dealer firm, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., may be liable for this misconduct. Continue reading ›

Silver Law Group, a nationally-recognized stockbroker misconduct law firm, is investigating AllianceBernstein Securitized Asset LP (ABSA or Fund) on behalf of shareholders in the Fund, due to ABSA’s recent news to its shareholders. ABSA is a pooled investment hedge fund, sold by Alliance Bernstein, whose “. . . portfolio is concentrated in mortgage-related securities, it also invests in asset-backed securities, consumer whole loans, and collateralized loan obligations, providing exposure to underlying collateral across residential and commercial mortgages, consumer and auto loans, as well as corporate loans.”Silver Law Group, a nationally-recognized stockbroker misconduct law firm, is investigating AllianceBernstein Securitized Asset LP (ABSA or Fund) on behalf of shareholders in the Fund, due to ABSA’s recent news to its shareholders.

ABSA is a pooled investment hedge fund, sold by Alliance Bernstein, whose “. . . portfolio is concentrated in mortgage-related securities, it also invests in asset-backed securities, consumer whole loans, and collateralized loan obligations, providing exposure to underlying collateral across residential and commercial mortgages, consumer and auto loans, as well as corporate loans.” Continue reading ›

Kalos Capital, Inc. (CRD #44337) is a registered broker-dealer based in Alpharetta, Georgia that is registered in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Kalos has approximately 150 financial advisors and 60 independent offices. Kalos Capital has been registered with the SEC since 1998 and sells a variety of securities and alternative investments. Kalos was founded by Daniel and Carol Wildermuth, who are its CEO and CFO, respectively.Background Information

Kalos Capital, Inc. (CRD #44337) is a registered broker-dealer based in Alpharetta, Georgia that is registered in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Kalos has approximately 150 financial advisors and 60 independent offices. Kalos Capital has been registered with the SEC since 1998 and sells a variety of securities and alternative investments. Kalos was founded by Daniel and Carol Wildermuth, who are its CEO and CFO, respectively. Continue reading ›

Silver Law Group is investigating the following UBS ETRACS ETNs (Exchange Traded Notes): MRRL, WTIU, MLPZ, HOML, SMHD, HDLV, BDCL, LBDC, LMLP, DVHL, and MORL. These ETNs have suffered significant losses as the market has declined due to the coronavirus. UBS created its ETRACS ETNs and may have marketed and sold them to investors seeking low risk without explaining the risks involved in those securities.Silver Law Group is investigating the following UBS ETRACS ETNs (Exchange Traded Notes): MRRL, WTIU, MLPZ, HOML, SMHD, HDLV, BDCL, LBDC, LMLP, DVHL, and MORL. These ETNs have suffered significant losses as the market has declined due to the coronavirus.

UBS created its ETRACS ETNs and may have marketed and sold them to investors seeking low risk without explaining the risks involved in those securities. Continue reading ›

As the coronavirus has caused the market to decline precipitously starting in February, 2020, many leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), inverse ETFs, and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) have stopped trading, causing massive losses for investors. Leveraged ETFs, Inverse ETFs, and ETNs An exchange traded fund (ETF) is a security that tracks an underlying index, such as the S&P 500, by holding the same securities as the index. Traditional ETFs track their indexes on a one-to-one basis, so that if the index increases by 1%, the ETF also increases by 1%. As the coronavirus has caused the market to decline precipitously starting in February, 2020, many leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), inverse ETFs, and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) have stopped trading, causing massive losses for investors.

Leveraged ETFs, Inverse ETFs, and ETNs

An exchange traded fund (ETF) is a security that tracks an underlying index, such as the S&P 500, by holding the same securities as the index. Traditional ETFs track their indexes on a one-to-one basis, so that if the index increases by 1%, the ETF also increases by 1%. Continue reading ›

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for March 2020, 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
  Michael Bressman   FCG Advisors, LLC
  Mary Ann Dineen   UBS Financial Services Inc.
  David Fagenson   Newbridge Securities Corporation
  UBS Financial Services Inc.
  Mark Figueroa   Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
  Arive Capital Markets
  Karen Kopatz   Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
  Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
  Jordan Rodriguez   NYLife Securities LLC
  Frederick Stow   Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
  Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
  Mark Wetherell   Kovack Securities Inc.
  Invest Financial Corporation
  Marcus Wright   Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC
  J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

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