FINRA

Former Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor John Griner Suspended by FINRA – Athens, Georgia

Published on: January 11, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor John Frederick Griner from the securities industry for 15-business days and fined him $15,000. Mr. Griner’s sanctions arise from his improper use of discretion without written authorization.

John Griner was registered with Morgan Stanley in Athens, Georgia from March 2011, until his employment was terminated in October 2019. Morgan Stanley allowed Mr. Griner to voluntarily resign after allegations arose concerning whether certain options trades were properly confirmed with the client before they were placed.

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

Investor Alert: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates B. Riley Wealth Management Inc. Over 529 Savings Plans

Published on: January 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of B. Riley Wealth Management Inc. (“BRWM”) customers after the firm was ordered to pay more than $250,000 in restitution to clients by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) for supervisory failures related to its 529 plan share-class recommendations. If you have lost money with BRWM or were advised to purchase particular share classes of 529 savings plans, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

B. Riley Wealth Management Inc. and FINRA entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”) on December 30, 2020, following findings that between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2018, the firm lacked a system reasonably designed to supervise representatives’ recommendations to customers to purchase certain share classes of 529 savings plans, in violation of MSRB Rule G-27. The AWC pointed out that BRWM:

Failed to provide adequate guidance to its registered representatives about the importance of considering share-class differences when recommending 529 plans.

Springfield, IL Financial Advisor Dustin P. Shafer BARRED by FINRA After Allegedly Borrowing Money from an Elderly Customer

Published on: January 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

**Update 4/14/2021** Iorio Altamirano LLP is currently investigating Newbridge Securities Corporation, Money Concepts Capital Corp, and Dustin Shafer for recommending that clients invest in private placement securities issued by GPB Capital. The GPB funds, which are private securities offerings exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are inherently risky investments. These investments are suitable only for highly sophisticated investors who understand the risks and can afford a significant monetary loss. Unfortunately, many brokerage firms and brokers sold the GPB Capital securities to retirees and unsophisticated investors because they paid a high up-front commission.

If you have suffered financial losses as a result of any of the following GPB private placement offerings, contact Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your legal rights:

GPB Automotive Portfolio, LP

Former Ameriprise Broker Angel Bardeche Suspended by FINRA – Cincinnati, Ohio

Published on: January 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Angel Wynette Bardeche (CRD# 4698117) from the securities industry for nine months and fined her $10,000. Ms. Bardeche was also ordered to return $5,000 worth of commissions to customers. Angel Bardeche was registered with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Cincinnati, Ohio, from August 2012 until May 2019. At that time, Ameriprise terminated her employment.

Ms. Bardeche has also received at least three customer complaints alleging that she did not disclose the surrender charges or annual fees associated with variable annuities purchases between 2013 and 2015.

If you have suffered financial losses investing with Angel Bardeche or suspect that Ms. Bardeche did not have your best interest in mind when recommending investments, mutual funds, mutual fund switches, annuities, or annuity switches, contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your account or annuity contract.

$3.9 Million Customer Claim Involving Former LPL Financial and Ameriprise Financial Broker Filed with FINRA – Boca Raton, FL

Published on: January 7, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

A recently filed FINRA customer complaint alleges that a former LPL Financial and Ameriprise Financial Services broker recommended unsuitable investments in a number of business development companies (BDCs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs), as well as other high-commission illiquid investment recommendations. The allegations focus on the broker’s time with LPL Financial from 2006 to 2015 and with Ameriprise Financial Services from 2015 to 2016. Claimants’ statement of claim, which was filed on or around September 9, 2020, seeks damages of $3.9 million.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is interested in speaking with any customers who may have suffered losses in their business development companies (BDCs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs) investments. If you have lost money with LPL Financial or Ameriprise Financial Services, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Business Development Companies (BDCs)

Antonio Almeida, with Worden Capital Management LLC, Suspended by FINRA

Published on: January 7, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended Antonio Almeida from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity for three months. Mr. Almeida has been registered with Worden Capital Management LLC (“Worden Capital Management”) in Garden City, New York, since January 2020. Previously, from March 2014 through December 2017, he was registered with Aegis Capital Corp. in Melville, New York.

Separately, Iorio Altamirano LLP is currently investigating claims on behalf of Worden Capital Management customers after the firm was sanctioned more than $1.5 million by FINRA, including restitution, for making unsuitable recommendations and excessively trading customers’ accounts. A FINRA restitution order does not preclude investors from pursuing their own claims to seek restitution or other available remedies. Investors harmed by Worden Capital Management’s supervisory failures may have a claim against the firm. You can read more about it here.

If you have lost money with Worden Capital Management or Antonio Almeida, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your account.

Jason Collichio, with Worden Capital Management LLC, Suspended by FINRA Over Supervisory Failures

Published on: January 4, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended Jason Collichio from associating with any FINRA member in any principal capacity for three months. Mr. Collichio has been registered with Worden Capital Management LLC (“WCM”) in Garden City, New York, since 2009. He has been registered as a principal with the firm since 2012. Mr. Collichio initially registered with FINRA in 2003.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is currently investigating claims on behalf of WCM customers after the firm was sanctioned more than $1.5 million by FINRA, including restitution, for making unsuitable recommendations and excessively trading customers’ accounts. A FINRA restitution order does not preclude investors from pursuing their own claims to seek restitution or other available remedies. Investors harmed by WCM’s supervisory failures may have a claim against the firm. You can read more about it here.

If you have lost money with WCM, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your account.

New Year’s Resolutions for Investors in 2021

Published on: December 31, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

Investing your money is a great way to grow your wealth, save for retirement, and reach your financial goals. If you invest in the appropriate products, you can also receive income from investments, build on-pre-tax dollars, or reduce taxable income.

If you do not invest, you miss out on opportunities to increase your wealth. However, all investments carry risk, and when you invest, you have the potential to lose money.

There are many different types of investments. Some common types of investments include stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, mutual funds, money market funds, exchange-traded funds, and annuities. There are also more complex investment vehicles, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs), unit investment trusts (UITs), hedge funds, commodities, and private placements.

Investor Alert: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Worden Capital Management LLC Over Excessive Trading

Published on: December 31, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of Worden Capital Management LLC (“WCM”) customers after the firm was sanctioned more than $1.5 million by FINRA for making unsuitable recommendations and excessively trading customers’ accounts. If you have lost money with WCM, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

WCM and FINRA entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”) over allegations that between January 2015 and October 2019, WCM and its owner and CEO, Jaime Worden, violated FINRA rules. Specifically, that WCM and Mr. Worden:

Failed to establish, maintain, and enforce a supervisory system, including written supervisory procedures (WSPs), reasonably designed to achieve compliance with FINRA’s suitability rule as it pertains to excessive trading.

Investor Alert: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Wells Fargo Over Variable Annuity Switches

Published on: December 29, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC customers (together “Wells Fargo” or the “Firm”) who received recommendations to switch from variable annuities to investment company products. If you have lost money with Wells Fargo, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Wells Fargo and FINRA entered into a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (“AWC”) on September 2, 2020, over allegations that between January 2011 and August 2016, Wells Fargo violated FINRA rules. Specifically, that Wells Fargo:

Failed to establish and maintain a supervisory system, and failed to enforce written supervisory procedures (“WSPs”), that were reasonably designed to achieve compliance with FINRA’s suitability rule as it pertains to switches from variable annuities to investment company products (i.e., mutual funds, Unit Investment Trusts (UITs), etc.).