A National Securities Arbitration & Investment Fraud Law Firm

$70 MILLION Recovery for Investment Fraud
$44 MILLION Recovery for Ponzi Scheme Victims
$25 MILLION Recovery Against National Brokerage Firm
$9.1 MILLION FINRA Arbitration Award Against Brokerage Firm
$7.9 MILLION Securities Arbitration Award Against Stockbroker
$1 MILLION Securities Arbitration Award for Elder Financial Fraud
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Public Justice

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When you’re considering working with a financial professional, how do you pick the right person? Do you choose someone with an impressive-sounding title/designation that makes it seem like they have expertise helping people just like you, such as “senior specialist” if you’re a senior citizen?While a designation like that might inspire confidence, before you work with anyone, you may be surprised to learn what really goes into getting these designations. It might not mean what you think it means.

When you’re considering working with a financial professional, how do you pick the right person? Do you choose someone with an impressive-sounding title/designation that makes it seem like they have expertise helping people just like you, such as “senior specialist” if you’re a senior citizen?

While a designation like that might inspire confidence, before you work with anyone, you may be surprised to learn what really goes into getting these designations. It might not mean what you think it means. Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Securities Division has charged former investment adviser, Bruce Colin Worthington, with allegedly withdrawing $100,000 from a client's bank account.Worthington has been charged with fraudulently misappropriating the investment funds of a retiree and using the money for personal use. He was affiliated with Founders Financial Securities for about five years, and before that, he was with Commonwealth Financial Network.The Massachusetts Securities Division has charged former investment adviser, Bruce Colin Worthington, with allegedly withdrawing $100,000 from a client’s bank account.

Worthington has been charged with fraudulently misappropriating the investment funds of a retiree and using the money for personal use. He was affiliated with Founders Financial Securities for about five years, and before that, he was with Commonwealth Financial Network. Continue reading ›

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On February 26, 2019, the SEC announced charges and an asset freeze against the people behind a South Florida investment scheme. One of the people behind the scheme has a felony conviction, was in prison for 20 years, and is now out on parole. Castleberry Financial Services Group LLC, managed by T. Jonathon Turner and CEO Normal Strell, has allegedly taken approximately $3.6 million from investors over the past year. The SEC filed an emergency action against them in district court, stating that Castleberry lied to its investors, claiming that it had hundreds of millions of dollars of capital invested in various businesses. The company also claimed that it had ties with CNA Financial Corp. and Chubb Group. Castleberry claimed that any investments would be protected and insured by those companies, which the SEC alleges is untrue.On February 26, 2019, the SEC announced charges and an asset freeze against the people behind a South Florida investment scheme. One of the people behind the scheme has a felony conviction, was in prison for 20 years, and is now out on parole.

Castleberry Financial Services Group LLC, managed by T. Jonathon Turner and CEO Normal Strell, has allegedly taken approximately $3.6 million from investors over the past year. The SEC filed an emergency action against them in district court, stating that Castleberry lied to its investors, claiming that it had hundreds of millions of dollars of capital invested in various businesses. The company also claimed that it had ties with CNA Financial Corp. and Chubb Group. Castleberry claimed that any investments would be protected and insured by those companies, which the SEC alleges is untrue. Continue reading ›

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Barred advisor Aaron Parthemer, who had a practice in Florida that catered to NFL and NBA players, invested some of his clients' money in a Miami Beach nightclub that he partially owned. He also engaged in other activities that ultimately caught the attention of regulators. According to FINRA disciplinary records, he owned a tequila promotion business and sent gift baskets of the liquor to NFL and NBA teams. In 2015, FINRA barred Parthemer for engaging in outside business activities without firm approval. He allegedly loaned his clients $399,000 against firm policy, convinced eight clients to invest $3 million in private securities transactions, and provided false information to his employers and FINRA. Last year, the SEC penalized him $160,000.This is the latest case related to the conduct of barred advisor Aaron Parthemer, who had a practice in Florida that catered to NFL and NBA players.

Parthemer invested some of his clients’ money in a Miami Beach nightclub that he partially owned. He also engaged in other activities that ultimately caught the attention of regulators. According to FINRA disciplinary records, he owned a tequila promotion business and sent gift baskets of the liquor to NFL and NBA teams. Continue reading ›

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FINRA has alleged that in 2011 and 2012, Ami Forte engaged in unsuitable trading with the account of a client who was very near death. With this account, Forte generated more than $9 million in commissions in less than a year. In 2016, Forte was fired by Morgan Stanley after the estate of Roy M. Speer, co-founder of the Home Shopping Network, sued Morgan Stanley for $40 million. In March 2016, a FINRA panel gave more than $34 million to the Speer estate for its claim against Morgan Stanley.FINRA has alleged that in 2011 and 2012, Ami Forte engaged in unsuitable trading with the account of a client who was very near death. With this account, Forte generated more than $9 million in commissions in less than a year. In 2016, Forte was fired by Morgan Stanley after the estate of Roy M. Speer, co-founder of the Home Shopping Network, sued Morgan Stanley for $40 million.

In March 2016, a FINRA panel gave more than $34 million to the Speer estate for its claim against Morgan Stanley. Continue reading ›

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Silver Law Group, a securities and investment fraud law firm, is letting investors know that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Amarin Corporation on behalf of investors who purchased shares between September 24, 2018 and November 8, 2018. The complaint alleges that Amarin made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose important information regarding its “REDUCE-IT” trial for their drug Vascepa, which treats heart disease. The purpose of the class action lawsuit is to recover monetary damages for alleged violations of federal securities laws.

Silver Law Group, a securities and investment fraud law firm, is letting investors know that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Amarin Corporation on behalf of investors who purchased shares between September 24, 2018 and November 8, 2018. The complaint alleges that Amarin made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose important information regarding its “REDUCE-IT” trial for their drug Vascepa, which treats heart disease.

The purpose of the class action lawsuit is to recover monetary damages for alleged violations of federal securities laws. Continue reading ›

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It seems like a way to get justice against fraud: requesting an arbitration hearing with FINRA after losing money in a fraudulent or shady investment your broker insisted was solid. A defrauded investor then files a complaint with FINRA, who arranges an arbitration hearing, and money damages are awarded to the investor, paid by the broker and/or the broker dealer.Sounds fair, right?While many investors have been able to recover at least some of their losses, about 25% of these judgments go unpaid. FINRA arbitration panels awarded $84 million to investors in 2017 alone. Of that sum, $21 million of it remains unpaid. So what good is arbitration if you’re still waiting to receive your award from a “deadbeat?” Most of these awards are against small brokerage firms which are out of business and did not carry insurance.It seems like a way to get justice against fraud: requesting an arbitration hearing with FINRA after losing money in a fraudulent or shady investment your broker insisted was solid. A defrauded investor then files a complaint with FINRA, who arranges an arbitration hearing, and money damages are awarded to the investor, paid by the broker and/or the broker dealer.

Sounds fair, right?

While many investors have been able to recover at least some of their losses, about 25% of these judgments go unpaid. FINRA arbitration panels awarded $84 million to investors in 2017 alone. Of that sum, $21 million of it remains unpaid. So what good is arbitration if you’re still waiting to receive your award from a “deadbeat?” Most of these awards are against small brokerage firms which are out of business and did not carry insurance. Continue reading ›

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Christopher Duke Bennet (CRD#: 2510231) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC (CRD#:453) of Louisville, KY. He began with Lyons in 1995, and worked solely for the firm until 2018. No current employment information is available. There is no indication that he is retired, or is working with another broker-dealer.Bennet is the subject of 14 disclosures that begin in 2016, most of which are customer disputes. Bennet has a total of seven pending customer claims, four settlements, one award, and one claim which has been denied.Christopher Duke Bennet (CRD#: 2510231) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC (CRD#:453) of Louisville, KY. He began with Lyons in 1995, and worked solely for the firm until 2018. No current employment information is available. There is no indication that he is retired, or is working with another broker-dealer.

Bennet is the subject of 14 disclosures that begin in 2016, most of which are customer disputes. Bennet has a total of seven pending customer claims, four settlements, one award, and one claim which has been denied. Continue reading ›

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Gabriel Block (CRD#: 2103543, aka Gabe Block) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was First Standard Financial Company LLC (CRD#:168340) of Red Bank, NJ. His previous employers include National Securities Corporation (CRD#:7569) and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (CRD#:249), both of Red Bank, as well as others in Purchase, NY, St. Louis, MO, Charlotte, NC, Boca Raton, FL, and New York, NY. No current employment information is available. He began in the industry in 1990.Gabriel Block (CRD#: 2103543, aka Gabe Block) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was First Standard Financial Company LLC (CRD#:168340) of Red Bank, NJ. His previous employers include National Securities Corporation (CRD#:7569) and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (CRD#:249), both of Red Bank, as well as others in Purchase, NY, St. Louis, MO, Charlotte, NC, Boca Raton, FL, and New York, NY. No current employment information is available. He began in the industry in 1990. Continue reading ›

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Marcus E. Boggs (CRD#: 5055667) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last broker dealer employer was Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD#:7691) of Chicago, IL, from 2/7/2006 through 12/18/2018. No current or additional employment information is available.Marcus Boggs is the subject of five disclosures. Three customer disputes were filed on 11/21/2018, 12/16/2018 and 12/17/2018, all alleging unauthorized ACH transfers of funds into an American Express account, totaling $5,601,758.71.Marcus E. Boggs (CRD#: 5055667) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last broker dealer employer was Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD#:7691) of Chicago, IL, from 2/7/2006 through 12/18/2018. No current or additional employment information is available.

Marcus Boggs is the subject of five disclosures. Three customer disputes were filed on 11/21/2018, 12/16/2018 and 12/17/2018, all alleging unauthorized ACH transfers of funds into an American Express account, totaling $5,601,758.71. Continue reading ›

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