best interest

Former LPL Financial LLC Broker Elias Hakimian, Suspended by FINRA – Costa Mesa, California

Published on: April 21, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Elias Hakimian from the securities industry for three months. Mr. Hakimian consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that he borrowed $120,000 from a customer without notice to or obtaining written pre-approval from his employing brokerage firm, LPL Financial LLC, in violation of FINRA Rules 3240 and 2010. FINRA also fined Mr. Hakimian $5,000.

LPL Financial LLC allowed Mr. Hakimian to “voluntarily resign” after a customer alleged that he engaged in churning in the customer’s accounts and invested the customer’s funds in speculative ventures contrary to the customer’s objectives and risk tolerance, in addition to taking loans from the customer.

Excessive trading occurs when a financial advisor makes many trades in a customer’s account, not to benefit the customer but to generate commissions for the broker.

Former Financial Advisor Michael Dellaporta, Jr. BARRED From the Securities Industry by FINRA – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Published on: April 14, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker Michael Dellaporta, Jr. from the securities industry. Mr. Dellaporta was expelled from the brokerage industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation into an outside business activity.

Mr. Dellaporta, who was a broker for over forty years, most recently worked at B.B. Graham & Company, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from August 2018 to August 2019. Previously, he was affiliated with Fusion Analytics Securities LLC, from 2015 until 2018, and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc, from 2010 to 2015.

Since 2009, Mr. Dellaporta has been the subject of numerous customer disputes.

FINRA Files Enforcement Action Against Hugues Guirand, Formerly of Woodstock Financial Group, Inc. – Virginia Beach, VA

Published on: April 14, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

**Update: July 26, 2021** FINRA has barred Hugues Guirand from the securities industry after Mr. Guirand failed to respond to FINRA’s Department of Enforcement’s complaint.

Original Post:

FINRA Files Enforcement Action Against Hugues Guirand, Formerly of Woodstock Financial Group, Inc. – Virginia Beach, VA

Former IFS Securities Broker, Steven Schisler, Facing Disciplinary Charges by FINRA for Numerous Alleged Misconduct, Including Unsuitable Investment Recommendations to An Elderly Couple

Published on: April 14, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s Department of Enforcement has filed a disciplinary proceeding complaint against former broker Steven Schisler. The complaint alleges that from April 2009 to October 2020, Steven Schisler committed nine separate violations of FINRA and NASD rules related to his dealings with two sets of retired customers and IFS Securities, the firm that employed him. Specifically, the FINRA complaint alleges:

made an unsuitable recommendation to two elderly, married customers;
participated, without the approval of his firm, in a private securities transaction with those customers;

Iorio Altamirano LLP is Investigating MSC – BD, LLC and Broker Robert Fehrman For Recommending GPB Capital Holdings to Customers

Published on: April 14, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is currently investigating MSC – BD, LLC, and veteran stockbroker Robert Fehrman for recommending that clients invest in private placement securities issued by GPB Capital. Mr. Fehrman and MSC – BD, LLC are currently the subject of a customer dispute related to his recommendation of GPB Automotive Portfolio, LP, one of the private placement funds 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.

Bob Fehrman has been registered as a financial consultant with MSC – BD, LLC in Cumming, Georgia, since June 2013. According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr. Fehrman is located in Florissant, Missouri.

Investigation: Former Axiom Capital Management, Inc Broker, Michael Packman, Reportedly Recommended GPB Capital Holdings to Customers

Published on: April 13, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is currently investigating former Axiom Capital Management, Inc. broker Michael Packman, who reportedly recommended that his customers invest in private placement securities issued by GPB Capital. The GPB notes, 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.

Mr. Packman was a broker at Axiom Capital Management, Inc. in Westbury, New York, from May 2015 to March 2018. Before he joined Axiom Capital Management, Inc. in 2018, he was associated with several disreputable brokerage firms, including Financial West Group and Continental Broker-Dealer Corp., both of which were expelled from the industry by FINRA.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is also investigating the sales practices and due diligence of Axiom Capital Management, Inc. related to its sale of GPB Capital funds. It is believed, according to reports, that Axiom Capital Management, Inc. has been subjected to numerous lawsuits from customers in the form of FINRA securities arbitration claims to recover investment losses.

Investigation: Former MML Investor Services, LLC Broker, Oscar Francis, Reportedly Recommended GPB Capital Holdings to Customers – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Published on: April 12, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is currently investigating former MML Investor Services, LLC broker Oscar Francis, who reportedly recommended that his customers invest in private placement securities issued by GPB Capital. The GPB notes, 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.

Mr. Francis was a broker at MML Investors Services, LLC, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, from July 2008 to May 2017. At that time, MML terminated his employment connected with an investigation into an undisclosed outside business activity, selling away, and an unauthorized non-securities life insurance transaction. In August 2018, Mr. Francis pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting that between June 25, 2012, and May 31, 2017, he devised a scheme to defraud at least eleven investors out of approximately $665,000. Mr. Francis was subsequently sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay over $420,000 in restitution to clients. In May 2019, he was also barred by the SEC from association from associating with any broker, dealer, or investment advisor.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is also investigating the sales practices and due diligence of MML Investors Services, LLC related to its sale of GPB Capital funds. It is believed, according to reports, that MML has been subjected to numerous lawsuits from customers in the form of FINRA securities arbitration claims to recover investment losses.

Scottsdale, Arizona Broker Kevin Canterbury Facing Three Pending Customer Disputes

Published on: April 10, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Iorio Altamirano LLP is currently investigating former Coastal Equities, Inc. broker Kevin Canterbury who is facing three securities arbitration claims related to recommendations to invest in Direct Participation Program and Limited Partnership interests, believed to be private placement securities issued by GPB Capital. Kevin Canterbury operated his own independent advisory firm, Redstone Capital.

The GPB notes, 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.

Mr. Canterbury was a broker at Coastal Equities, Inc. from 2012 until 2020. Iorio Altamirano LLP is also investigating the sales practices and due diligence of Coastal Equities, Inc. related to its sale of GPB Capital funds. Earlier this year, the SEC charged three people and their affiliated entities with running a “Ponzi-like scheme” that raised more than $1.7 billion by selling private placements issued by alternative asset management firm GPB Capital Holdings.

Broker Hebert Frey Suspended by FINRA After Excessively Trading and Placing Unauthorized Trades in The Account of a Disabled Client – Mount Vernon, Ohio

Published on: April 9, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Hebert Frey from the securities industry for sixteen months. Mr. Frey consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that he excessively traded a customer’s account and placed unauthorized trades. The customer was a 54-year-old disabled homemaker. FINRA also fined Mr. Frey $15,000 and ordered him to disgorge $76,137 in commissions.

The alleged conduct occurred while Mr. Frey was employed by Lincoln Douglas Investments, LLC in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and Union Capital Company in Tucson, Arizona.

As discussed more fully below, Mr. Frey has a long history of customer complaints, run-ins with regulators, and employment terminations. Throughout his career, Mr. Frey has been suspended six times by regulators, ordered to pay nearly $50,000 in fines, and been the subject of at least six customer complaints.

Burlington, Vermont Financial Advisor Louis Olave Suspended by FINRA

Published on: April 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended broker Louis Olave from the securities industry for three months and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. FINRA sanctioned Mr. Olave because he solicited seven clients to purchase $217,477 worth of Future Income Payments, LLC. This blog has previously written about Future Income Payments, LLC.

Mr. Olave was a financial advisor with Questar Capital Corporation at the time of the alleged conduct. He has since moved to Lincoln Investment.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is interested in speaking with customers of Mr. Olave or Questar Capital Corporation. Contact securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your legal rights.