Former Boston, Massachusetts-based Morgan Stanley Brokers Under Investigation for Allegedly Stealing Almost Half a Million from Elderly Client

Silver Law Group is investigating claims against former Boston, Massachusetts-based Morgan Stanley brokers James Polese (CRD# 2636427) and Cornelius Peterson (CRD# 5769919) after FINRA barred both of them for allegedly stealing $450,000 from an elderly client.

Both Boston, Massachusetts brokers were charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in January 2018 and agreed to plead guilty to the charges conspiracy, advisor fraud and bank fraud.

The SEC alleges in its complaint that Polese and Peterson misappropriated money from their Morgan Stanley customers starting in 2014. According to the SEC, Polese and Peterson fraudulently misappropriated $350,000 in March 2016 from an elderly customer. Polese and Peterson used a portion of the money to make investments in their own names, and directed a larger portion to Polese’s personal bank account. Then, according to the SEC, from March through May 2017, Polese made numerous unauthorized transactions from the same elderly customer’s account totaling approximately $93,000 to pay Polese’s credit card and college tuition expenses for Polese’s children.

Since the SEC filed its action, FINRA has barred both Polese and Peterson. Most recently, the SEC barred Peterson.

Peterson’s only FINRA BrokerCheck disclosures concern the conduct alleged in the SEC complaint. Morgan Stanley fired both Peterson and Polese upon learning of the alleged misappropriation in June 2017.

According to Polese’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, there is another unrelated disclosure. One, filed in May 2017, alleges misrepresentation with respect to managed account fees. The FINRA arbitration complaint was settled.

Contact Silver Law Group if You’ve Lost Money Because of Stockbroker Misconduct

If you’ve lost money investing with a broker or brokerage firm, we may be able to help you recover your losses. Contact our firm today to learn how we can try to recover your losses. We work on a contingency fee, meaning if we don’t recover money you owe us nothing. Our lawyers have extensive experience in claims against banks, accountants and financial advisors who aid or assist in fraud.

Silver Law Group represents the interests of investors who have been the victims of investment fraud.  Scott Silver is the chairman of the Securities and Financial Fraud Group of the American Association of Justice and represents investors nationwide in securities investment fraud cases. Please contact Scott Silver of the Silver Law Group for a free consultation at ssilver@silverlaw.com or toll free at (800) 975-4345.