The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Carl Antaki from the securities industry for three months. Mr. Antaki consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that he excessively and unsuitably traded a customer’s account. FINRA also fined Mr. Antaki $5,000 and ordered him to pay $22,865 in…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker Matthew Siliato from the securities industry. Mr. Siliato was expelled from the brokerage industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation. FINRA’s investigation originated from an investigation into Mr. Siliato’s potentially excessive and unauthorized trading in a customer’s account while…
Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of customers of Calton & Associates, Inc. after the firm was censured, fined $250,000, and ordered to pay $472,007 in restitution to harmed investors by FINRA. The sanctions involve supervisory failures between February 2014 and February 2020 related to suitability obligations connected…
Martin Lerner is a stockbroker with David Lerner Associates, Inc. (“David Lerner Associates”) in Boca Raton, Florida, with a history of customer complaints. Martin Lerner has been the subject of six customer complaints, which include one pending dispute and five resolved disputes that ended with monetary compensation being paid to…
On May 17, 2021, a FINRA arbitration panel issued an award in favor of customer Donna Wagner in a securities arbitration against Brokers International Financial Services, LLC and former broker Mark Christopher Perry. Brokers International Financial Services and Mr. Perry (the “Respondents”) were held jointly and severally liable for $795,929…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker Candido Viyella. from the securities industry. Mr. Viyella was expelled from the brokerage industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation. FINRA’s investigation originated after Morgan Stanley discharged Mr. Viyella and disclosed concerns regarding his participation, involvement, and a beneficial…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker William Dixon. from the securities industry. Mr. Dixon was expelled from the brokerage industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation. FINRA’s investigation originated after Securities America, Inc. discharged Mr. Dixon and alleged that he signed his deceased client’s signature…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker Eric Vici. from the securities industry. Mr. Vici was expelled from the brokerage industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation that originated from a complaint made to FINRA by the executor of a customer’s estate about his handling of…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s Department of Enforcement has filed a disciplinary proceeding complaint against former broker Adam Belardino. The complaint alleges that Mr. Belardino failed to cooperate with a FINRA investigation, which was initiated in Aril 2019 after Mr. Belardino’ s employment was terminated by MML Investors Services, LLC…
This post is part of a series of investigative blog posts that spotlight modern-day boiler rooms that operate under the guise of a reputable brokerage firm. Many of the broker-dealers featured in this series still use boiler room tactics such as cold-calling customers and high-pressure or aggressive sales tactics. Other…