financial advisor malpractice

Former Wells Fargo Broker in Scottsdale, Arizona, Scott Reed, Barred by FINRA

Published on: February 19, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred broker Scott Wayne Reed from the securities industry over allegations that Mr. Reed, while associated with Wells Fargo, participated in private securities transactions totaling at least $3.5 million without providing prior written notice to his firm.

Mr. Reed was a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing Services (“Wells Fargo”) in Scottsdale, Arizona, from April 2016 until April 2020. Mr. Reed was permitted to resign after a customer alleged that Mr. Reed recommended and facilitated investment opportunities in investments sold away from and not offered by Wells Fargo.

Wells Fargo appears to have denied any compensation to the complaining customer.

Charleston, SC Financial Advisor Paul Halvorson, Formerly of Morgan Stanley, BARRED by FINRA

Published on: February 17, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker Paul John Halvorson from the securities industry. FINRA expelled Mr. Halvorson from the brokerage industry because he refused to provide information and documents connected with FINRA’s investigation into the circumstances given rise to his termination from Morgan Stanley in November 2020.

Mr. Halvorson was a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Charleston, South Carolina, from June 2009 until his employment was terminated in November 2020. In connection with the discharge, Morgan Stanley alleged that Mr. Halvorson submitted transactions under production numbers that were inconsistent with an agreement that he had with another broker, resulting in a shortfall of revenue credited to the other broker.

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

Broker Spotlight: Michael Hernandez of Arive Capital Markets – Brooklyn, New York

Published on: February 15, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Michael Joseph Hernandez is a stockbroker with Arive Capital Markets LLC (“Arive Capital Markets”) in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Hernandez has a history of associations with disreputable broker-dealers and at least one customer complaint, employment termination, and regulatory sanction.

If you have lost money with broker Michael Hernandez or Arive Capital Markets, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Arive Capital Markets

Arive Capital Markets Broker, Mirsad Muharemovic, Accused of Churning, Excessive Trading, and High-Pressure Sales Tactics

Published on: February 15, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Mirsad Muharemovic is a stockbroker with Arive Capital Markets LLC (“Arive Capital Markets”) in Brooklyn, NY, with a history of customer complaints and associations with disreputable broker-dealers.

Mr. Muharemovic has 22 years of experience in the securities industry. He has been associated with nine different broker-dealers, including a past association with a firm expelled by FINRA.

Mr. Muharemovic has been the subject of three customer complaints, including one dispute that is still pending and another one resulting in an arbitration award for the complaining customer.

Broker Spotlight: Daniel Silverstein of Arive Capital Markets – Miami, Florida

Published on: February 12, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Daniel Louis Silverstein is a stockbroker with Arive Capital Markets LLC (“Arive Capital Markets”) in North Miami Beach, Florida. Mr. Silverstein has a history of associations with disreputable broker-dealers, financial liens, and at least one customer complaint.

Mr. Silverstein has 16 years of experience in the securities industry and has been associated with eight different broker-dealers. He averages just two years at each stop. In September 2018, he was hired by Arive Capital Markets.

If you have lost money with broker Daniel Silverstein or Arive Capital Markets, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Investigative Report: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigation into Arive Capital Markets Reveals Troubling Pasts for Owners, Executives, and Brokers

Published on: February 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

This post is the first in 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.

SUMMARY:

In 2017, in collaboration with Columbia Law School, Reuters analyzed FINRA data and identified 48 firms whose brokers have been flagged for serious incidents. In 2021, our firm set out to update that analysis.

Former David Lerner Associates Financial Advisor, Charles Bonilla, Suspended by FINRA for Unsuitable Energy-Sector Securities – Boca Raton, FL

Published on: February 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Charles Bonilla from the securities industry for five months, fined him $5,000, and ordered him to disgorge $22,417 in commissions.

FINRA suspended Mr. Bonilla for recommending energy-sector securities to customers without having a reasonable basis to believe those investments were suitable. Mr. Bonilla was a broker with David Lerner Associates, Inc. in Boca Raton, FL when the alleged conduct occurred.

If you have suffered financial losses investing with Mr. Bonilla or suspect that Mr. Bonilla did not have your best interest in mind when recommending investments, including energy-sector mutual funds or limited partnerships, contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential review of your account.

Portland Financial Advisor, Lisa Brumm, Suspended by FINRA for Unsuitable Variable Annuity Recommendations, Borrowing from a Client, and Negligent Misrepresentation

Published on: February 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Lisa Ann Brumm (also known as Lisa Am Brumm and Lisa Ann Moon) from the securities industry for six months and fined her $7,500. Lisa Brumm was registered with Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. in Portland, Oregon, from April 2017 until December 2020. She was previously registered with AXA Advisors, LLC (now known as Equitable Advisors LLC) from July 2011 to May 2017. Ms. Brumm is also the CEO and founder of My Financial Girlfriend (Moon & Bear LLC).

FINRA suspended Ms. Brumm for recommending two unsuitable variable annuities to a customer, borrowing $40,000 from the same customer, and negligently misrepresenting the effect of a withdrawal from a variable annuity to another customer.

If you have suffered financial losses investing with Lisa Brumm or suspect that Ms. Brumm did not have your best interest in mind when recommending investments, 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.

Somersworth, NH Financial Advisor Michael Francoeur, Formerly of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc, BARRED by FINRA

Published on: February 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred stockbroker Michael Paul Francoeur from the securities industry. FINRA expelled Mr. Francoeur from the brokerage industry because he refused to provide information and documents connected with FINRA’s investigation into his conduct after receiving a customer complaint.

Mr. Francoeur was a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. in Somersworth, New Hampshire, from January 2012 until his employment was terminated in March 2020. Cambridge Investment Research fired Mr. Francoeur, alleging that he assisted a client with an investment that was not approved by the firm and that he used an unapproved email account, both against the firm’s policies.

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

Arive Capital Markets Broker, Lon Faccini, Facing Two Pending Disputes Alleging Excessive Trading, Churning, Misrepresentation, and Unsuitability

Published on: February 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

Lon Charles Faccini Jr. is a stockbroker with Arive Capital Markets LLC (“Arive Capital Markets”) in Brooklyn, NY, with a history of customer complaints and associations with disreputable broker-dealers.

Mr. Faccini has been the subject of seven customer complaints, which include two pending disputes. The pending disputes are securities arbitration claims filed by customers of Mr. Faccini. At least one of the customers was also a client of Arive Capital Markets. The Arive Capital Markets customer alleged excessive trading, churning, and unsuitability. The second customer alleged misrepresentation and unsuitability.

If you have lost money with broker Lon Faccini or Arive Capital Markets, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.