excessive trading

Navigating FINRA Arbitration: A Closer Look at Securities Dispute Resolution

Published on: September 26, 2023 | by Iorio Altamirano

Introduction

When disputes arise between investors and brokerage firms, they are usually resolved through arbitration. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) offers a streamlined and cost-effective dispute resolution forum for resolving disputes in the securities industry. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into FINRA arbitration, its key features, benefits, and what you should know if you find yourself involved in a securities-related dispute.

Understanding FINRA Arbitration

FINRA Sanctions Joseph Stone Capital for Excessive Trading in Customer Accounts

Published on: September 8, 2022 | by Iorio Altamirano

On September 8, 2022, FINRA announced that it had ordered Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. (“Joseph Stone”) to pay restitution of approximately $825,000 to customers whose accounts were excessively traded by the firm’s representatives.

In related settlements, FINRA suspended eight current or former Joseph Stone representatives and required them to pay, collectively, an additional $211,000 in restitution to impacted customers. Additionally, FINRA suspended three Joseph Stone supervisors for failing to reasonably identify or respond to red flags of excessive trading and barred two representatives for refusing to respond to FINRA’s requests for information in connection with the investigation.

If you suspect your account was excessively traded at Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C., contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

When to Consult a Lawyer After Sustaining Investment Losses

Published on: January 25, 2022 | by Iorio Altamirano

In an annual report more than two decades ago, Warren Buffett dispensed some wise words of knowledge: “You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out.” Reportedly, Mr. Buffett was referring to knowing what risks a company is taking until it faces adverse conditions. Mr. Buffett used the same phrase again in 2008 about the foolishness of large financial institutions exposed by falling home prices.

Mr. Buffett’s words of wisdom can also be applied to investment recommendations made by a financial advisor in a bull market. Almost everyone looks like a genius in a booming market, including financial advisors. However, when the stock market enters into a correction, or something even more dreadful, the real risks of an investment or investment strategy are exposed, often leaving a trail of investment losses in their wake.

Investors who have suffered investment losses due to unsuitable or misleading investment recommendations by brokers or brokerage firms should consult with a lawyer to review their legal rights.

Joseph Stone Capital Broker Todd Kling Suspended by FINRA – New York, NY

Published on: January 4, 2022 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. broker Todd Kling from the securities industry for three months. Kling consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he engaged in excessive and unsuitable trading, including the use of margin, in a senior customer’s account.

Kling’s suspension is scheduled to begin on January 18, 2022, and end on April 17, 2022.

If you have lost money with Todd Kling, or Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C., contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Joseph Stone Capital Broker Adam Maggio Suspended by FINRA – Mineola, NY

Published on: January 4, 2022 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended Adam Maggio, with Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C., from associating with any FINRA member in all principal capacities for five months. Maggio has been registered in multiple capacities with Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. since February 2013, including as a General Securities Principal.

Maggio consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he failed to reasonably supervise trading in certain customer accounts for potentially excessive activity. His suspension is scheduled to begin on January 3, 2022, and end on June 2, 2022. He was fined $5,000 and will also undertake to attend and satisfactorily complete 20 hours of continuing education concerning supervisory responsibilities.

If you have been harmed by Adam Maggio, or Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C., contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Joseph Stone Capital Broker Anthony Graziano Suspended by FINRA – New York, NY

Published on: January 3, 2022 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended Anthony Graziano, with Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C., from associating with any FINRA member in all principal capacities for three months. Graziano first became registered as a General Securities Representative and General Securities Principal with Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. in June 2015 and subsequently became registered with the firm as a Compliance Officer in October 2018.

Graziano consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he failed to reasonably supervise a registered representative of his firm, who excessively traded a customer’s account.

Graziano’s suspension is scheduled to begin on January 3, 2022, and end on April 2, 2022. He was also fined $5,000 and will undertake to attend and satisfactorily complete 20 hours of continuing education concerning supervisory responsibilities.

Joseph Stone Capital Broker Douglas Rosenberg Suspended by FINRA – Hauppauge, NY

Published on: January 3, 2022 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. broker Douglas Rosenberg from the securities industry for seven months. Rosenberg consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he excessively and unsuitably traded the accounts of three customers. As a result of Rosenberg’s unsuitable recommendations, his customers suffered a total of over $154,000 in realized losses and paid a total of $89,652 in commissions, trading costs, and margin interest.

Rosenberg’s suspension is scheduled to begin on January 3, 2022, and end on August 2, 2022. He was also ordered to pay partial restitution to the three customers of $25,000.

If you have lost money with Douglas Rosenberg, or Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C., contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Aegis Capital Corp. Ordered to Pay Nearly $2.7 Million for Supervisory Failures Related to Rampant Excessive and Unsuitable Trading

Published on: November 9, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

On November 8, 2021, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis Capital”) entered into Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No. 2016051704305 (the “AWC”). After conducting an investigation, FINRA alleged in the AWC that from July 2014 through December 2018, Aegis Capital failed to establish, maintain, and enforce a supervisory system, including written supervisory procedures (WSPs), reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the suitability requirements of FINRA Rule 2111 as it pertains to excessive trading. As a result, Aegis Capital failed to identify trading in hundreds of customer accounts that were potentially excessive and unsuitable, including trading conducted by eight Aegis Capital registered representatives in the firm’s Melville and Wall Street branches whose trading in the accounts of 31 firm customers resulted in an average annualized cost-to-equity ratio (or break-even point) of 71.6%, an average annualized turnover rate of 34.9, combined customer costs (including commissions, markups or markdowns, margin interest, and fees) of more than $2.9 million, and cumulative losses of $4.6 million.

Additionally, the FINRA AWC alleged from July 2014 to June 2019, Aegis Capital failed to establish, maintain, and enforce a supervisory system, including WSPs, reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the suitability requirements of FINRA Rule 2111 when selling leveraged, inverse, and inverse-leveraged Exchange-Traded Funds (Non-Traditional ETFs) to retail customers. As a result, Aegis Capital failed to identify customers who purchased and held Non-Traditional ETFs for extended periods of time or whose purchase was inconsistent with their recorded investment objective, risk tolerance, or finances.

Customers of Aegis Capital, including customers that have been notified that they may be receiving restitution, should consult with a securities arbitration law firm. If you or a loved one were a customer of Aegis Capital, contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential consultation and review of your legal rights.

Broker Leonard Marzocco, Formerly of Woodstock Financial Group, Inc. and First Standard Financial LLC, Suspended by FINRA

Published on: November 9, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended stockbroker Leonard Marzocco from the securities industry. Mr. Marzocco consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that between June 2019 and December 2019, while associated with Woodstock Financial Group, Inc. (“Woodstock Financial Group”), Mr. Marzocco excessively and unsuitable traded a customer’s account, in violation of FINRA Rules 2111 and 2010. As part of the agreement, Mr. Marzocco also agreed to pay $27,078 in restitution and a fine of $5,000.

Mr. Marzocco was registered as a broker with Woodstock Financial Group, Inc. in Nesconset, New York, from June 2019 to December 2019. Prior to joining Woodstock Financial Group, Mr. Marzocco was a registered stockbroker with First Standard Financial Company LLC in Miller Place, New York, from June 2017 to June 2019.

This is the second time Mr. Marzocco has been suspended for excessive trading. In July 2020, Mr. Marzocco contended to an 11-month suspension after FINRA alleged that he engaged in quantitatively unsuitable trading in a customer’s account. The findings stated that Marzocco’s trading of the accounts resulted in high turnover rates and cost-to-equity ratios, as well as significant losses. The customers suffered collective losses of $196,331 and paid $81,523 in commissions and fees. Marzocco also recommended a significant number of trades using margin in the customer accounts. In particular, Marzocco recommended using margin to a customer, even though he was aware that the customer’s financial circumstances made it unsuitable for him.

Former Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. Broker, Michael May, Suspended for Excessive and Unsuitable Trading

Published on: November 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended stockbroker Michael May from the securities industry. Mr. May consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that between June 2017 and May 2018, while associated with Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. (“Joseph Stone Capital”), Mr. May excessively and unsuitable traded a customer’s account, in violation of FINRA Rules 2111 and 2010. As part of the agreement, Mr. May also agreed to pay $10,349 in restitution and a fine of $5,000.

Mr. May was registered as a broker with Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. from July 2015 to June 2020 and again from March 2021 to October 2021. He is currently registered with VCS Venture Securities in New York, NY.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating potential legal claims on behalf of customers of Michael May and Joseph Stone Capital related to investment recommendations and account activity made by Mr. May.