Securities Arbitration Lawyers Blog

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

February 6, 2018 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for January 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
Jesse Baker	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Joseph Ryan Costa	Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC
Ethan Frederick Daubert	Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
Deborah Ann Day	Triad Advisors, Inc.
Deborah Ann Day	Royal Hutton Securities Corp.
Matthew Evan Eckstein	Sisk Investments Services, Inc.
Matthew Evan Eckstein	Gould, Ambroson & Associates
Colleen Elizabeth Flanagan	Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
Roy Aurelio Gaytan	Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
Roy Aurelio Gaytan	World Group Securities, Inc.
Marques Alexander Green	NYLife Securities LLC
Marques Alexander Green	MetLife Securities, Inc.
R. Barry Jones	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
R. Barry Jones	Banc of America Investment Services, Inc.
Atiq Urrehman Khan	Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
Atiq Urrehman Khan	World Group Securities, Inc.
Deanne M. Lampe	Morgan Stanley
Deanne M. Lampe	Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Veronica Azucena Lopez	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Veronica Azucena Lopez	Morgan Stanley
Scott Alexander Markle	HD Vest Investment Services
Scott Alexander Markle	LPL Financial LLC
Oscar Nunez	J.H. Darbie & Co., Inc.
Oscar Nunez	Blackbook Capital, LLC
Jay Anthony Pandy-Tatum	Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Jay Anthony Pandy-Tatum	JP Morgan Chase
Jarrett Powell
Ciro Santoro	Allstate Financial Services, L LC
Ciro Santoro	Equity Services, Inc.
Daniel Richard Shaw	T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc.
Larry Charles Wolfe	Stoever, Glass & Company Inc.
Larry Charles Wolfe	Aegis Capital Corp.

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.

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

February 6, 2018 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for January 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
Timothy Clark Bryant	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Timothy Clark Bryant	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Philip Orezio Fatta	Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
Philip Orezio Fatta	Blackbook Capital, LLC
Lee Allen Jenkins Jr.	Triad Advisors, Inc.
Lee Allen Jenkins Jr.	Wachovia Securities Financial Network, LLC
Rick Douglas Konecny	National Securities Corporation
Rick Douglas Konecny	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Michael James McGraw	Morgan Stanley
Michael James McGraw	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Robert A. Perconte	Summit Brokerage Services, Inc.
Robert A. Perconte	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Philip Anthony Pizelo	Pacific West Securities, Inc.
Philip Anthony Pizelo	Great Northern Financial Securities, Inc.
Michael Luciano Spinali	Morgan Stanley
Michael Luciano Spinali	Edward Jones
Kevin Wayne Taylor	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Kevin Wayne Taylor	Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Gary Mark Zwetchkenbaum	Gilford Securities Incorporated

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 Bars Registered Individuals in January 2018 for Violations of FINRA Rules

February 6, 2018 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for January 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:

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.

NAME	FORMER EMPLOYERS
Donald C. Blackwell	Carlton & Associates, Inc.
Donald C. Blackwell	J.P. Turner & Company, LLC
Wayne Earl Cooksey
Adham Shafik Khalil	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
Suhail Saleem Khan	LPL Financial LLC
Suhail Saleem Khan	Kingsview Asset Management LLC
Rick Douglas Konecny	National Securities Corporation
Rick Douglas Konecny	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Spencer David Laufer	J.H. Darbie & Co., Inc.
Spencer David Laufer	Joseph Stone Capital LLC
Caeron Arlington McClintock	Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
Caeron Arlington McClintock	Legend Securities, Inc.
Stanley Calvin Pigue	Edward Jones
Jordan Charles Rodden	LPL Financial LLC
Jordan Charles Rodden	Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Jessica Rene Sewell
Amus Desmond Stevens	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Amus Desmond Stevens	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLVC
Anaida Tashchyan	J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Anaida Tashchyan	WM Financial Services, Inc.
David Arthur Wismer III	LPL Financial LLC
David Arthur Wismer III	American Express Financial Advisors 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.

Silver Law Group Announces Filing of FINRA Arbitration Claim on Behalf of Customers of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.

February 5, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating claims against Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. for the sale of unsuitable investments.

Silver Law Group has filed a securities arbitration claim against Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. (“Stifel”) alleging the customers suffered significant losses due to unsuitable investments and misrepresentation of fees and commissions. The allegations include unsuitable investments, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of contract and failure to supervise.

Stifel’s broker allegedly recommended unsuitable investments to conservative retired customers. The investment recommendations included concentrating the accounts in below investment-grade corporate bonds and Puerto Rico bonds. The broker would regularly make the recommendation to sell one bond to purchase another bond with a higher coupon without explaining to the customers that the higher coupon carried higher risk.

Silver Law Group is Investigating Claims Against former Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. Broker Coleman J. Devlin for Unauthorized Trading in Customer Accounts

February 5, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. (“Stifel Nicolaus”) broker Coleman Joseph Devlin (“Devlin”) for allegations of executing trades in customer accounts without first obtaining authorization from the customers. Devlin was employed by Stifel Nicolaus’ Baltimore, Maryland office prior to his termination in June 2016.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) suspended Devlin on 11/6/2017 for a 30 day period ending 12/18/2017 after Devlin, without admitting or denying the findings, consented to FINRA’s findings that he had executed trades in 5 customer accounts without their prior authorization while at Stifel Nicolaus.

Devlin has been the subject of 14 customer disputes of which 2 are currently still pending. The disputes include allegations of unsuitable investments, unauthorized trading, over-concentration of the accounts, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligent supervision. Stifel Nicolaus terminated Devlin’s employment in June 2016 in connection with the customer complaints. A recently filed FINRA arbitration claim is seeking $20,000,000.00 alleging Stifel Nicolaus negligently supervised Devlin.

SEC Accuses Daniel Vazquez of Running $2 Million Real Estate Investment Fraud

February 5, 2018 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group represents many of Mr. Vazquez investors.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is charging Daniel Vazquez and Gilbert Fluetsch of running a home flipping scam that defrauded dozens of investors out of their retirement savings. Vazquez was a registered stockbroker with Cetera Advisors and Investors Capital Corp. from 2011-2015.

According to the SEC, Daniel Vazquez serves as the CEO of Hoplon Financial Group. Through Hoplon, Vazquez created the “New Economic Opportunities Fund,” an entity that purported to buy and flip residential real estate using investor funds.

Ernest Romer has been Barred from the Securities Industry

January 31, 2018 | Silver Law Group

The former Michigan broker’s career was filled with suspensions, investigations, and firings

In April of 2017, Ernest Julius Romer III received a permanent bar from the securities industry by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). He was originally suspended by the agency, but because he didn’t request termination of the suspension, this automatically turned into a ban.

Romer began his career in 1993, and almost from the start, he found himself in trouble. In 1995 and 1998, he was permitted to resign from two brokerage firms. The first resignation was related to allegations of borrowing money from a client. The second had to do with unauthorized trading.

December 2017 FINRA Disciplinary Actions Suspend Registered Individuals for Failure to Comply with FINRA Rules

January 12, 2018 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for December 2017, 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
Jason N. Anderson	IFS Securities
	Kovack Securities Inc.
Johan Henrik Frisell	Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
	Capital Wealth Strategies LLC
Deborah E. Greenlee-Keck	Coastal Equities, Inc.
	Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Manuel Tomas Paredes	Worden Capital Management LLC
	Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
Phillip Eugene Pistilli	Joseph Stone Capital LLC
	Spartan Capital Securities, LLC
Charles Courtney Sandoval	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
	SII Investments, 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.

In December 2017, FINRA Bars Registered Individuals for Failure for Comply with FINRA Rules

January 12, 2018 | Silver Law Group

According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for December 2017, 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
Helle Romer Bannister	HighTower Advisors, LLC
Helle Romer Bannister	J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC
Kayla Jo Brassesco
Aalim Jamaal Brown	NYLife Securities LLC
Laura Ann Cava	Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
Laura Ann Cava	Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
Wesley Claflin	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc
Brett Allen DeFore	Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Brett Allen DeFore	Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
Jessica Marie Franze
Edward Kenneth Frost	Western International Securities, Inc.
Edward Kenneth Frost	GBS Financial Corp.
Charles Edwin Garrison	Davenport & Company LLC
Robert Constantine Gray	Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC
Leanna Greene	State Farm VP Management Corp.
Robert William Griffin	Cantella &Co., Inc.
Robert William Griffin	Cornerstone Investment Services
Stephen Allen Holmes	Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
Stephen Allen Holmes	Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
Stephen Joseph Kipp	NPB Financial Group, LLC
Stephen Joseph Kipp	Kipp Financial Group, Inc.
Craig Gary Langweiler	Windsor Street Capital, LP
Craig Gary Langweiler	Meyers Associates LP
Matthew M. McDonagh	Osprey Partners LLC
Matthew M. McDonagh	Cabot Lodge Securities LLC
Christine Doreen Memet	PNC Investments
Christine Doreen Memet	Chase Investment Services Corp.
Terry Mark Mlodzik	UBS Financial Services Inc.
Monica Jean O’Neill	Mutual of Omaha Investors Services, Inc.
Monica Jean O’Neill	Thrivent Investment Management, Inc.
Carlos Antonio Rodriguez	UBS Financial Services Inc.
Carlos Antonio Rodriguez	Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc
Casey Thomas Rodriguez	Arive Capital Markets
Casey Thomas Rodriguez	Chelsea Financial Services
David Edward Smith	The Huntington Investment Company
Clint Herrison Stoffels	UBS Financial Services Inc.
Harvey Alan Weisenfeld	Allstate Financial Services, LLC
Harvey Alan Weisenfeld	Wood Financial Insurance Group 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 Arbitration Claim Filed Against Joseph Weinrich and Moloney Securities Co.

January 11, 2018 | Silver Law Group

The Silver Law Group in collaboration with the Law Firm of David Chase recently filed a FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of a legally blind 86-year old customer against Moloney Securities Co. and its broker, Joseph Weinrich, which alleges counts of unsuitability, unauthorized trading and churning, and seeks the recovery of his investment losses.

The arbitration complaint alleges that, over the course of at least a five-year period, Weinrich made unsuitable investment recommendations, including oil and gas master limited partnerships, inconsistent with his elderly customer’s financial situation and stated investment goals, which caused significant account losses. The complaint further alleges that Weinrich excessively traded or “churned” the account, which was on margin, to improperly generate significant fees and commissions, and engaged in unauthorized trading. Due to Weinrich’s misconduct, and Moloney Securities Co.’s failure to reasonably supervise, as alleged by the complaint, the customer suffered losses of over $450,000, and paid significant commissions and margin interest.

Unauthorized trading occurs when a stockbroker facilitates a transaction without the permission of the customer in a non-discretionary account.