When I read a headline today in InvestmentNews that said “Financial Fraud is Rampant but Most People Can’t Spot It,” I wasn’t surprised. Because we only handle investment fraud cases with losses of $100,000 or more, most of our clients are savvy, sophisticated men and women. We have represented lawyers, doctors and bank vice presidents. […]
Affinity Fraud? SEC Charges Broker in Alleged $4.7 Million Ponzi Scheme
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Larry Dearman Sr, an investment advisor working for Focus Group Advisors, with defrauding dozens of investors between 2008 and 2012. They say that many victims entrusted him with their savings because of his affiliation with a small town Oklahoma church. According to published reports, Dearman at one time served […]
Lincoln Financial Advisors Rep Sanctioned By FINRA
Lincoln Financial Advisors says it wants to be the country’s “premier fee-based financial planning firm.” A recent decision by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) Enforcement Department suggests that the firm is off to a rocky start. FINRA sanctioned former registered rep and investment advisor William Babb III with “trading away” and failure to cooperate […]
Securities America Fined For Improper Supervision – Stockbroker Fraud Post
Securities America is a large broker dealer headquartered in La Vista Nebraska. Licensed in all 50 states and in business for over 3 decades, the firm is well established in the industry. Lately, however, it has attracted some negative attention for its business practices. Some say the company has allowed or ignored fraud by some […]
Justice Delayed – The Story Of Anderson Scott Hall & Abaco Securities
From 2006 through 2011, Anderson Scott Hall and the company he ran, Abaco Securities International, were household words in Jacksonville, Florida. Abaco conned many Duval County teachers and administrators into turning over their hard earned savings. Prosecutors say millions in savings. Hall’s clients were promised stable, secure investment returns from 6 to 18%. Instead of being invested, […]
Tenants In Common Fraud Leads To Award Against Broker
A Tenants in Common fraud claim resulted in an award against a major brokerage firm earlier this month. According to records obtained from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), ProEquities was hit with a $448,000 arbitration award last week after a customer complained about a failed tenant in common investment. Suzy Asad filed a complaint […]
As The World Churns – FINRA Socks Stockbroker For $1.9 Million
by Brian Mahany Churning is a bad word in the securities industry. It happens when a stockbroker engages in excessive buying and selling of securities in a customer’s account. The motive is almost always high commissions. Each transaction generates a commission – the more turnover in an account the more the broker makes. (Investment advisers […]