Securities Arbitration Lawyers Blog

Silver Law Group is Investigating Patrick Maddren of Laidlaw & Company

March 6, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Laidlaw & Company financial advisor Patrick Maddren (CRD# 4665903) is the subject of a customer complaint for excessive trading and commissions. Maddren has been registered with Westpark Capital, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida since August 2017. Previously, he was registered with Laidlaw & Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from 2017 to September 2017. A recent customer arbitration claim was settled for $295,000. A brokerage firm has a duty to supervise its stockbrokers and prevent excessive trading or commissions. If a firm fails to properly supervise a financial advisor or otherwise mismanage a portfolio, an investor may have legal rights.

Contact Our Firm if You’ve Invested with Patrick Maddren

If you invested with Patrick Maddren and believe you have lost money due to his misconduct, you may be able to file a claim to recover your losses through FINRA arbitration. For a free evaluation of your potential case by as securities attorney, please contact Silver Law Group.

FINRA Names Individuals Barred in February 2018 for Violations of FINRA Rules

March 6, 2018 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for February 2018, 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
Florjan Beqo	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Benjamin Phillip Brown	State Farm VP Management Corp.
Joseph Calascione
Sonya D. Camarco	LPL Financial LLC
Sonya D. Camarco	Morgan Stanley DW Inc.
Samiul Anam Chowdhury	MML Investors Services, LLC
Samiul Anam Chowdhury	NYLife Securities LLC
Argenis T. Cortes	Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Argenis T. Cortes	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Vincent Frank D’Accardi	Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc
Oscar R. Galdamez	AXA Advisors, LLC
Matthew Douglas Garrett	MML Distributors, LLC
Michael D. Graham	Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
Kimberlyann Huegel	Vanguard Marketing Corporation
Randall William Hunt	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Randall William Hunt	Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
Garrett Dalton Martin	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Kevin Allen Mee	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Kevin Allen Mee	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Hong Kun Pan	Pruco Securities, LLC
Youngsoo Park	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Cornelius Peterson	Morgan Stanley
James S. Polese	Morgan Stanley
James S. Polese	UBS Financial Services Inc.
Gary Dennis Ruiz	Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Gary Dennis Ruiz	Capital One Investing, LLC
Lynn Shuster Strain	Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
Lynn Shuster Strain	Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
Jamie Yuvonne Stickland	Suntrust Investment Services, Inc.
Jamie Yuvonne Stickland	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Joesph Francis Valdini	Aegis Capital Corp.
Joesph Francis Valdini	Worden Capital Management LLC
Russell L. Woodley	Citizens Securities, 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.

FINRA Disciplinary Actions for February 2018 Name Registered Individuals Suspended for Failing to Comply with FINRA Rules

March 6, 2018 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for February 2018, 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
Patrick John Auckland	TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC
	Morgan Stanley
Michael Albert DiPietro	Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
	Centaurus Financial, Inc.
Laurie Anne Facsina	LPL Financial LLC
	Stratos Wealth Partners, Ltd
Joseph Manuel Focil	Wedbush Securities Inc.
	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Christopher Lee Goslin	Harbor Light Securities, LLC
	J.P. Turner & Company, LLC
Matthew Grady	Millstone Wealth Partners, LLC
	Barclays Capital Inc.
Anthony Minerva	Richard James & Associates, Inc.
	J.D. Nicholas & Associates, Inc.
James William Stanton Jr.	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
	MetLife Securities Inc.
Joseph Morris Thurnherr	Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
	Windsor Street Capital, LP
Darren Thomas Walton	Capital Synergy Partners
	Wells Fargo Advisors, 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.

FINRA Suspends Registered Individuals in February 2018 for Violations of FINRA Rules

March 6, 2018 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for February 2018, 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
Walter Lee Clark	Wilmington Capital Securities, LLC
Walter Lee Clark	Adirondack Trading Group LLC
Chelsea Lauren Clemons-Denby
Ethan Frederick Daubert	Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
Ethan Frederick Daubert	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Truitt Scott Ficklin	Cetera Investment Services LLC
Truitt Scott Ficklin	Edward Jones
Philip William Formwalt	Woodmen Financial Services, Inc.
Lawrence E. Hagedorn	The O.N. Equity Sales Company
Lawrence E. Hagedorn	Ohio National Financial Services
Raymond Woody Hooker	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Raymond Woody Hooker	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Brian Patrick Hurley	MML Investors Services, LLC
Brian Patrick Hurley	NYLife Securities LLC
Lindsey Marie Katula	Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
Lindsey Marie Katula	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Jason Harris Klabal	Alexander Capital, L.P.
Jason Harris Klabal	Legend Securities, Inc.
Richard James Murphy	Tullett Prebon Financial Services LLC
Richard James Murphy	Citation Financial Group, L.P.
James Albert Pettit	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
James Albert Pettit	Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Michael Alan Sadouskas	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
John Greg Schmidt	Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC
John Greg Schmidt	Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
John Joseph Silvernale	HD Vest Investment Services
Casey Tyler Thompson	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
Casey Tyler Thompson	Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
Aaron Bronelle Wilbanks	Wilbanks Securities, Inc.
Aaron Bronelle Wilbanks	Birchtree Financial Services, Inc.
Sara Wilhite	PFS Investments Inc.
Sara Wilhite	Primerica Financial Services
Bradley Curtis Williams	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Bradley Curtis Williams	Invest Financial Corporation
Brandon M. Williams	BMO Harris Financial Advisors, Inc.
Brandon M. Williams	Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, 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.

Silver Law Group is Investigating William Harrison of Stifel Nicolas & Company

March 5, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Stifel Nicolaus & Company broker/adviser William Harrison is involved in a pending customer dispute. William Harrison has spent 29 years in the securities industry and has been registered with Stifel Nicolaus & Company in Boca Raton, Florida since 2009. Palm Beach County is home to a large retirement community and FINRA arbitration claims are generally heard in FINRA’s Boca Raton office.

In January 2018, an arbitration claim was filed alleging William Harrison, while employed at Stifel Nicolaus & Company, committed common law fraud, negligently misrepresented material facts, breached his fiduciary duty, and acted negligently in connection to investments in common and preferred stock. The customer is seeking $100,000 in damages in the pending complaint.

Contact Our Firm if You’ve Invested with William Harrison

Silver Law Group is Investigating UBS Financial Services Broker James Dillon for Potential Unsuitable Recommendations Relating to Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds

March 5, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating claims against UBS Financial Services (“UBS”) New York-based stockbroker James Dillon (“Dillon”). According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), Dillon’s FINRA BrokerCheck record shows a pending customer dispute alleging claims of unsuitable concentration in connection with the purchase of Puerto Rico municipal bonds. The damages alleged in the complaint are $500,000.

Silver Law Group is representing investors in claims against UBS and several other brokerage firms relating to the sale and concentration of portfolios in Puerto Rico municipal bonds. Brokers recommended Puerto Rico bonds due to their high coupons without disclosing to investors the risks associated with the Puerto Rican economy and the on-going recession on the island. Many elderly and conservative investors lost substantial portions of their portfolios when the Puerto Rico municipal bonds collapsed in value causing many to lose their entire retirement savings.

Silver Law Group is representing customers of brokerage firms in securities arbitration claims for losses in Puerto Rico municipal bonds alleging that the customers were misled about the risks of the bonds, overconcentration, breach of fiduciary duty, and excessive trading.

Wells Fargo Under Investigation for Abuse of Customer 401(k) Accounts

March 2, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Wells Fargo has disclosed a federal investigation into sales practice violations in customer 401(k)s after a whistleblower cited sales problems in customer accounts.

Multiple potential violations are disclosed including improper referrals, excessive fees and undisclosed conflicts of interest. In the current bull market, many investors did not appreciate the fees being charged as their accounts were profitable and fees can be difficult to calculate.

Silver Law Group represents institutional and retail investors in claims for portfolio mismanagement, stockbroker misconduct and investment fraud. If you believe your portfolio was mismanaged, excessively traded or your financial advisor purchased esoteric or high cost alternative investments, call us to discuss your legal rights toll-free (800) 975-4345 or e-mail at SSilver@silverlaw.com.

Silver Law Group is Investigating Joseph Cotter of Petersen Investments

March 2, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Former North Carolina-based Petersen Investments broker Joseph Cotter has been named in a FINRA Investigation and is currently not affiliated with any broker-dealer firm.

Joseph Cotter was most recently registered with Petersen Investments in Charlotte, North Carolina (2016-2017). Previous registrations include Next Financial Group in Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to his BrokerCheck Report, in May 2017, Joseph Cotter voluntarily resigned from his position at Petersen Investments while under FINRA investigation. In April 2017 FINRA disclosed that it was “forwarding Examination 20160493163 to their Enforcement Department.” In 2016, Cotter was discharged from his position at Next Financial Group after “an internal review of the trading activity in a customer’s accounts and found the level of trading activity to be excessive in light of the customer’s profile and the character of the account.” An arbitration claim against Next Financial Group recently settled for over $300,000 involving Mr. Cotter.

Silver Law Group is Investigating Thomas Lawrence of Ameritas Investment Corp.

March 2, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating financial advisor Thomas Lawrence of Chapel Hill, Tennessee. FINRA recently brought a regulatory complaint against Lawrence regarding allegations that he borrowed $39,000 from an elderly customer, in violation of FINRA rules and he has failed to repay the loan.

Thomas Lawrence was a financial advisor and registered representative of Ameritas Investment Corp. from 2006 to December 2016. He worked at a branch office in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. He also works with the Lawrence Financial Group.

Contact Our Firm if You’ve Invested with Thomas Lawrence

Silver Law Group is Investigating Mark Perry of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.

March 2, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is currently investigating former Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. financial advisor Mark Perry (CRD# 1219294) regarding unsuitable investment recommendations to elderly clients. Perry was registered with Independent Financial Group, LLC in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and with Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Previously, Perry was registered with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina from 2003 to 2015, when he was terminated regarding, “Under internal review for violations of firm’s email correspondence policy. In connection with the firm’s review of a customer complaint, the firm reviewed email correspondence from Mr. Perry to the customer that contained promissory and/or predictive statements, in violation of the firm policy.”

In September 2017, Perry consented to the FINRA sanctions and to the entry of findings that he made unsuitable investment recommendations to four elderly, retired customers, which caused them collectively to see realized and unrealized losses of approximately $200,000. FINRA found that Perry over concentrated the customers’ accounts in precious metal sector securities, and that he recommended that the customers purchase and hold leveraged mutual funds and/or Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in their accounts for extended time periods of up to 963 days, which was unsuitable for his customers. Additionally, FINRA found that Perry falsified the account records of the four elderly customers referenced above by misstating each customer’s risk tolerance in order to recommend that the customer purchase high-risk securities. FINRA also found that Perry sent emails to a customer that mislead and made promissory statements about the investments in the customer’s account. Perry also failed to disclose two customer complaints regarding trading losses to his member firms. Perry was sanctioned to 18 months suspension, which will end in March 2019.

Contact Our Firm if You’ve Invested with Mark Perry