Firm Investigations

Former Securities America, Inc. Broker, Bill Dixon, BARRED from the Securities Industry by FINRA – Urbana, Ohio

Published on: May 17, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

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 and initials on multiple annuity surrender forms.

Mr. Dixon was registered with Securities America, Inc. in Urbana, Ohio, from September 2016 until October 2019.

If you have suffered financial losses investing with William Dixon or Securities America, Inc., contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your account.

Former Financial Advisor Eric Vici BARRED from the Securities Industry by FINRA – Melbourne, Florida

Published on: May 17, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

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 customer’s funds.

Mr. Vici was registered with PFS Investments, Inc. in Melbourne, Florida, from November 2012 until October 2019. He has also been affiliated with Primerica Financial Services, an affiliate of PFS Investments.

If you have suffered financial losses investing with Eric John Vici, PFS Investments, Inc., or Primerica Financial Services, contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your account.

FINRA Files Enforcement Action Against Broker Adam Belardino, Formerly of MML Investors Services, LLC – Westchester County, New York

Published on: May 13, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

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 and disclosed (through a Form U5) that it discharged Mr. Belardino “in connection with [an] investigation into a customer complaint. The Form U5 (Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration) also disclosed a complaint from customers alleging that beginning in November of 2018, Mr. Belardino “misrepresented [the customers’] account values, engaged in excessive levels of trading, and failed to comply with requests to have their accounts liquidated and the proceeds distributed. Additional customer complaints were subsequently disclosed, including a customer alleging that “the REITs that were sold to him [by Mr. Balardino] beginning in or around 2014 were unsuitable for his conservative portfolio.”

At the time of the alleged conduct, Mr. Balardino was associated with MML Investors Services, LLC (“MML Investor Services”) in Elmsford, New York. Prior to being a broker at MML Investor Services, Mr. Belardino was associated with MSI Financial Services, Inc. (“MSI Financial Services”), also in Elmsford, New York.

If you or a loved one were a customer of broker Adam Belardino, MML Investor Services, LLC, or MSI Financial Services, Inc., contact securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your legal rights.

Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates AEON Capital Inc. Over GPB Funds

Published on: May 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

AEON Capital Inc. is a broker-dealer headquartered in Middletown, New Jersey. According to publicly available records filed with the SEC, the firm likely received sales compensation for selling the GPB funds to retail investors.

AEON Capital Inc. is a firm subject to FINRA Rule 3170. The Rule is referred to as the “Taping Rule,” which requires certain firms to install taping systems to record all telephone conversations between their registered persons and existing and potential customers, review those recordings and file reports with FINRA. The Rule is designed to prevent fraudulent and improper practices in the sale or marketing of financial products. The Rule applies to firms with a significant number of registered persons that previously worked for firms that have been expelled from the industry or have had their registrations revoked for inappropriate sales practices.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of defrauded investors who were victims in the GPB funds scheme. GPB Capital sold unregistered, 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.

Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Pariter Securities, LLC Over GPB Funds

Published on: May 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Pariter Securities, LLC is a broker-dealer based in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. In September 2019, the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of the Government of Puerto Rico (“OCFI”) found that the firm failed to put into place a supervisory system that was reasonably designed to achieve compliance with suitability rules and regulations regarding alternative investments transactions.

According to publicly available records filed with the SEC, Pariter Securities, LLC likely received sales compensation for selling the GPB funds to retail investors. GPB Capital sold unregistered, 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.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of defrauded investors who were victims in the GPB funds scheme.

Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Cabot Lodge Securities LLC Over GPB Funds

Published on: May 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Cabot Lodge Securities LLC is a midsize independent broker-dealer headquartered in New York, NY. According to publicly available records filed with the SEC, the firm likely received sales compensation for selling the GPB funds to retail investors.

Cabot Lodge Securities LLC is under common control with Purshe Kaplan through holding company PKS Holdings, LLC. Read more about our firm’s investigation into Purshe Kaplan.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of defrauded investors who were victims in the GPB funds scheme. GPB Capital sold unregistered, 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.

Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Calton & Associates, Inc. Over GPB Funds

Published on: May 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Calton & Associates, Inc. is a Florida-based broker-dealer. According to publicly available records, the firm is facing a $500,000 customer complaint from an investor who suffered losses in his account. The investor’s account held positions in the GPB funds.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of defrauded investors who were victims in the GPB funds scheme. GPB Capital sold unregistered, 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. Public records filed with the SEC show that Calton & Associates, Inc. likely received sales compensation for selling the GPB funds to retail investors.

If you lost money in GPB funds with Calton & Associates, Inc., you may have a claim.

Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates Capital Investment Group, Inc. Over GPB Funds

Published on: May 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Capital Investment Group, Inc. is a broker-dealer headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. According to publicly available records filed with the SEC, the firm likely received sales compensation for selling the GPB funds to retail investors.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating claims on behalf of defrauded investors who were victims in the GPB funds scheme. GPB Capital sold unregistered, 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.

If you lost money in GPB funds with Capital Investment Group, Inc., you may have a claim.

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”)