Stockbroker Misconduct

Permanently Barred Nebraska Broker Matthew L. Geiser Under Investigation

February 27, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Nebraska-based Independent Financial Group, LLC (CRD# 7717) broker Matthew L. Geiser after FINRA permanently barred him.

According to Geiser’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA permanently barred Geiser from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities to the public in November 2016. FINRA and Geiser entered in an Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (“AWC”) in which Geiser consented to the bar and findings that he refused to appear for FINRA on-the-record testimony in connection with an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Geiser, including allegations of unsuitable recommendations and misleading statements about variable annuities.

Geiser, who initially was employed by Princor Financial Services Corporation (CRD# 7717), was discharged by Princor in September 2015 for issues involving suitability recommendations. Princor is also known as Principle Securities, Inc. Since Princor’s discharge of Geiser, 11 FINRA arbitration complaints against Geiser have settled.

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.

Minnesota TradingBlock Broker Joshua D. Arnold Under Investigation

January 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former TradingBlock (CRD# 128605) broker Joshua D. Arnold (CRD# 828189) for recent allegations of negligence and unsuitable recommendations among others.

According to Arnold’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, Arnold has thirteen (13) disclosures. His most recent was a FINRA arbitration filed in September 2016, and it alleges negligence, unsuitable recommendations, negligent supervision, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract. The FINRA arbitration alleges $250,000 in damages and is currently pending.

Most notably, Arnold’s BrokerCheck report contains seven (7) settled complaints. Many of the settled complaints allege unauthorized trading. Collectively, the seven (7) complaints settled for a total of almost $270,000.

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 Las Vegas Ameriprise Broker Cheryl L. Wallace Discharged for Alleged Unauthorized Trading

January 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Las Vegas, Nevada-based Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. (CRD# 6363) broker Cheryl L. Wallace (CRD# 4839255) after she was discharged by Ameriprise for unauthorized trading among other allegations.

According to Wallace’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, Wallace was discharged from Ameriprise in February 2016 after she allegedly failed to follow clients’ instructions, communicated incorrect information to the client and used discretion on trades in the accounts.

Four months later, in June 2016, FINRA permanently barred Wallace from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with firms that sells securities to the public after she failed to respond to a FINRA request for information.

San Francisco, California Broker Stephen D. Grant Under Investigation After FINRA Bar

January 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former San Francisco, California-based broker Stephen D. Grant (CRD# 2447319) after FINRA permanently barred him.

According to Grant’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA permanently barred Grant from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities to the public after Grant failed to respond to a FINRA inquiry in July 2016.

Grant, who was most recently employed by Security Research and Associates, Inc. (CRD# 8200), was suspended by FINRA in 2013 after he failed to comply with an arbitration award or settlement or to satisfactorily respond to a FINRA request to provide information concerning the status of compliance.

Former Revere Securities Broker Noel Fleming Under Investigation After FINRA Bars Him

January 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Boston-based Revere Securities LLC (CRD# 14178) broker Noel Fleming (CRD# 2030824) after FINRA permanently barred him.

According to Fleming’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA permanently barred Fleming in July 2016 when he failed to respond to a FINRA inquiry.

Fleming’s BrokerCheck reflects that he racked up numerous tax liens and judgments totaling $150,000 between 2010 and 2014. In that same period, there were three financial disclosures that were compromises to pay the debts.

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.