Broker Misconduct

Investigative Report: Worden Capital Management LLC’s Owners, Executives, and Brokers Have Concerning Red Flag Disclosures

Published on: May 13, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

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 brokerage firms have a propensity for broker misconduct, such as excessive trading, churning, unauthorized trades, and misrepresentation. Iorio Altamirano LLP is a securities arbitration law firm based in New York City. We represent investors nationwide who have suffered investment losses due to wrongful conduct by financial advisors and brokerage firms. We are investor advocates.

Other Investigative Blog Posts:

Arive Capital Markets, LLC

How to Recover Investment Losses: Frequently Asked Questions

Published on: May 11, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

You worked hard, opened a brokerage or retirement account, and invested your savings with a financial advisor or stockbroker, only to suffer financial losses due to bad investment advice, misleading sales pitches, or brokers that were driven by commissions. Now what?

Can I Sue My Financial Advisor Over Losses?

Yes, you can sue your financial advisor or broker to recover investment losses if the broker did not have your best interest in mind when they made an investment recommendation or offered investment advice. You can also sue your financial advisor or broker if the financial advisor misrepresented or omitted material facts that an investor should have known about the security or investment strategy.

Dempsey Lord Smith Broker Raymond Sun Facing $1.2 Million Customer Claim

Published on: May 4, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

A FINRA customer complaint involving Dempsey Lord Smith broker Raymond Sun alleges elder financial abuse as defined by the Welfare and Institutions Code under California law. The claim seeks $1.2 million in damages, including $900,000 in punitive damages. The claim, which was filed on August 28, 2020, is related to Sun’s previous association with Sandlapper Securities, LLC.

FINRA expelled Sandlapper Securities, LLC from the securities industry in June 2020.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is currently investigating claims on behalf of defrauded investors who were victims of the GPB funds scheme. GPB Capital sold unregistered and high commission limited partnership interests in eight alternative-asset investment funds. The GPB funds were marketed to independent broker-dealers and investment advisers who would, in turn, sell the GPB funds to their retail investors. According to publicly available records filed with the SEC, both Sandlapper Securities, LLC, and Dempsey Lord Smith, LLC likely received sales compensation for selling the GPB funds to retail investors.

International Assets Broker Ronald Patrick Cameron Suspended by FINRA – Fayetteville, AR

Published on: May 4, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended International Assets Advisory, LLC broker Ronald Patrick Cameron from the securities industry for five weeks for engaging in an outside business activity without providing prior written notice to his firm. The suspension is scheduled to start on May 17, 2021, and end on June 20, 2021. Cameron was also fined $5,000.

If you have lost money with Ronald Patrick Cameron, or International Assets Advisory, LLC, contact FINRA arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

FINRA Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”)

Former RBC Capital Markets Broker Scott Fergang Suspended by FINRA – Paramus, New Jersey

Published on: May 3, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended former RBC Capital Markets broker Scott Fergang from the securities industry for 15 business days for exercising discretion without written authorization in approximately four customer accounts. The suspension is scheduled to start on May 17, 2021, and end on June 7, 2021. Fergang was also fined $5,000.

If you have lost money with Scott Fergang, or RBC Capital Markets, contact FINRA arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Iorio Altamirano LLP represents investors in disputes with their financial advisors or brokerage firms, such as RBC Capital Markets.

Cadaret Grant Broker Paul Spero Suspended by FINRA – Liverpool, New York

Published on: May 3, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. broker Paul Spero from the securities industry for 15 business days for exercising discretion without written authorization in approximately 70 customer accounts. The suspension is scheduled to start on May 17, 2021, and end on June 7, 2021.

Spero was also fined $5,000.

If you have lost money with Paul Spero, or Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., contact FINRA arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Crown Capital Securities, L.P. Broker Kevin Barton Suspended by FINRA – Vista, California

Published on: April 30, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended Crown Capital Securities, L.P. broker Kevin Barton from the securities industry for four months for engaging in an outside business activity, exercising discretion in customers’ accounts without prior written authorization, and mismarking trades as unsolicited. Barton was also fined $17,500.

If you have lost money with Kevin Barton, or Crown Capital Securities, L.P., contact FINRA arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Iorio Altamirano LLP represents investors in disputes with their financial advisors and brokerage firms, such as Crown Capital Securities, L.P.

Kayan Securities, Inc. Broker Sun Hyung Kim BARRED by FINRA – Los Angeles, California

Published on: April 30, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has barred Kayan Securities, Inc. broker Sun Hyung Kim from the securities industry.

If you have lost money with Sun Hyung Kim, or Kayan Securities, Inc., contact FINRA arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Iorio Altamirano LLP represents investors in disputes with their financial advisors and brokerage firms, such as Kayan Securities, Inc.

Former Morgan Stanley Broker, Constantinos Maniatis, Suspended by FINRA – Dallas, Texas

Published on: April 29, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Constantinos Maniatis from the securities industry for 30 days. Mr. Maniatis consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that he engaged in discretionary trading without written authorization in seven customer accounts between May 4, 2018, and February 27, 2019. FINRA also fined Mr. Maniatis $5,000.

The alleged conduct occurred while Morgan Stanley employed Mr. Maniatis in Dallas, Texas. Morgan Stanley discharged Mr. Maniatis in May 2019, alleging misconduct related to a non-discretionary account and diverting of revenue from “assigned rep code.”

If you have suffered financial losses investing with Constantinos Maniatis, or suspect that Mr. Maniatis did not have your best interest in mind when recommending investments or making account transactions, contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your brokerage account.

Another Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. Broker in Trouble with Regulators: Financial Advisor David Martirosian BARRED by FINRA – New York

Published on: April 29, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker David Martirosian from the securities industry. Mr. Martirosian was expelled from the brokerage industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation into potentially unsuitable and excessive trading and his potential participation in private securities transactions while associated with Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. (“Joseph Stone Capital”).

Mr. Martirosian, who had only 13 years of experience in the securities industry, had a history of associations disreputable broker-dealers, customer complaints, and tax liens.

Mr. Martirosian was employed by Joseph Stone Capital in New York from July 2016 until April 26, 2021