investor advocates

Dee Dee Brooks BARRED by FINRA – Huntington Beach, California

Published on: December 7, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

In June 2020, FINRA permanently barred financial advisor Dee Dee Brooks (CRD #2559233) from the securities industry. Ms. Brooks was a financial advisor at Signator Investors, Inc. in Huntington Beach, California. FINRA’s disciplinary action arose from Ms. Brook’s solicitation of two private securities transactions, Woodbridge Group of Companies LLC (“Woodbridge”) and Future Income Payments, LLC. Both Woodbridge Group of Companies LLC and Future Income Payments, LLC were purportedly Ponzi schemes.

This blog has previously written about Future Income Payments, LLC.

FINRA alleged that between July 2016 and December 2017, Dee Dee Brooks participated in undisclosed and unapproved private securities transactions totaling $1.77 million. Specifically, FINRA alleged:

INVESTIGATION: Long Island Resident Mark Alan Lisser Charged with Defrauding Investors

Published on: December 1, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

**Update: 5/13/2021** On May 12, 2021, Long Island investment advisor, Mark Lisser, pleaded guilty in federal court to securities fraud conspiracy. As part of his plea, Mr. Lisser admitted to lying to customers about investments in shares of several companies prior to the initial public offering of those companies. As a result of his scheme, Mr. Lisser stole more than $700,000 of investors’ funds to make payments to companies controlled by Knightsbridge Private Partners LLC employees, pay salaries and sales commissions, pay his personal credit card bill, and make payments on a mortgage.

Original Post:

INVESTIGATION: Long Island Resident Mark Alan Lisser Charged with Defrauding Investors

Neemit M. Shah Suspended for Six Months for Recommending Future Income Payments, LLC – Glen Allen, Virginia

Published on: November 23, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

In October 2020, FINRA suspended financial advisor Neemit M. Shah (CRD #4812480) for six months from the securities industry and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. These sanctions arose from Mr. Shah’s solicitation of Future Income Payments, LLC. This blog has previously written about Future Income Payments, LLC.

FINRA alleged that between March 2016 and April 2016, Neemit Shah participated in private securities transactions totaling $408,000, without prior disclosure and approval from his employer at the time, MML Investors Services, LLC. Specifically, FINRA alleged:

From March through April 2016, Shah solicited investors to purchase $408,000 in securities of Future Income Payments, LLC.

Micah W. Patterson Was Suspended for One Month for Soliciting Future Income Payments, LLC – Centerville, Utah

Published on: November 23, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

In June 2020, FINRA suspended financial advisor Micha W. Patterson (CRD #5562392) for one month from the securities industry and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. These sanctions arose from Mr. Patterson’s solicitation of Future Income Payments, LLC. This blog has previously written about Future Income Payments, LLC.

FINRA alleged that between June 2017 and November 2017, Micah Patterson participated in private securities transactions totaling $30,644 without prior disclosure and approval from his employer at the time, MML Investors Services, LLC. Specifically, FINRA alleged:

From June through November 2017, Patterson solicited an investor to purchase $30,644 in securities of Future Income Payments, LLC.

INVESTIGATION: Former Edward Jones Financial Advisor Matthew Jennings Barred by FINRA– Johnston, Iowa

Published on: November 21, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has barred financial advisor Matthew Jennings (CRD# 6762685) from the securities industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation. Mr. Jennings was fired by Edward Jones in August 2019 due to concerns that he introduced clients to investments not offered through the firm. This type of conduct is often referred to as “selling away.”

What is “selling away?”

“Selling away” is when a financial advisor solicits a customer to participate in a private securities transaction that is not offered or approved by the brokerage firm where the financial advisor is employed or registered.

David T. Phillips Suspended for Nine Months for Future Income Payments, LLC Solicitation – Gilbert, Arizona

Published on: November 18, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended stockbroker David T. Phillips (CRD #3094195) for nine months from the securities industry and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. These sanctions arose from Mr. Phillips’ solicitation of Future Income Payments, LLC. This blog has previously written about Future Income Payments, LLC.

FINRA alleged that between May 2017 and April 2018, David Phillips participated in private securities transactions totaling $876,636, without prior disclosure and approval from his employer at the time, ProEquities, Inc. Specifically, FINRA alleged:

Between May 2017 and April 2018, Mr. Phillips solicited eight investors to purchase $876,363 in securities of Future Income Payments, LLC.

Troy R. Baily Suspended for Recommending Future Income Payments, LLC – Omaha, Nebraska

Published on: November 17, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended stockbroker Troy R. Baily (CRD #4458930) for six months from the securities industry and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. These sanctions arose from Mr. Baily’s solicitation of Future Income Payments, LLC. This blog has previously written about Future Income Payments, LLC.

FINRA alleged that between February and May 2017, Troy Baily participated in private securities transactions totaling $210,000, without prior disclosure and approval from his employer at the time, Sagepoint Financial, Inc. Specifically, FINRA alleged:

Between February and May 2017, Mr. Baily solicited investors to purchase $210,000 in securities of Future Income Payments, LLC.

Lonna R. Dehn Ristvedt Suspended for Soliciting Customers to Buy Future Income Payments, LLC – Fargo, North Dakota

Published on: November 17, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended stockbroker Lonna Rae Dehn Ristvedt (CRD #2277778) for four months from the securities industry and ordered her to pay a $5,000 fine. These sanctions arose from Ms. Dehn Ristvedt’s solicitation of Future Income Payments, LLC. This blog has previously written about Future Income Payments, LLC.

FINRA alleged that in June 2015, Lonna Rae Dehn Ristvedt participated in private securities transactions totaling $163,320 without prior disclosure and approval from her employer at the time, National Planning Corporation. Specifically, FINRA alleged:

In June 2015, Ms. Dehn Ristvedt solicited two investors to purchase $163,320 in securities of Future Income Payments, LLC.

John Westbrook Suspended for Future Income Payments, LLC Solicitation – Montgomery, Alabama

Published on: November 17, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended stockbroker John A. Westbrook (CRD #1846059) for five months from the securities industry and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. These sanctions arose from Mr. Wesbrook’s solicitation of Future Income Payments, LLC. This blog has previously written about Future Income Payments, LLC.

FINRA alleged that between October 1, 2016, and May 9, 2017, John Westbrook participated in private securities transactions totaling $350,335, without prior disclosure and approval from his employer at the time, Center Street Securities, Inc. Specifically, FINRA alleged:

Between October 1, 2016, and May 9, 2017, Mr. Westbrook solicited three investors to purchase $350,335 in securities of Future Income Payments, LLC.

Coastal Equities, Inc. Censured by FINRA and Ordered to Pay Over $280,000 in Restitution and Interest to Customers – Dublin, Ohio

Published on: November 13, 2020 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has sanctioned Coastal Equities, Inc. for its failure to reasonably supervise a stockbroker who recommended excessive and unsuitable trades in the accounts of customers. Coastal Equities, Inc. was censured and ordered to pay $270,320 in restitution to clients, plus $9,589 in interest.

FINRA alleged that between October 2016 and July 2018, Coastal Equities, Inc. failed to reasonably supervise a financial advisor that recommended excessive and unsuitable trading in accounts of four customers. FINRA also alleged that the financial advisor was making unsuitable recommendations to purchase securities using margin in two of those accounts. According to the allegations, the financial advisor’s supervisor became aware of multiple instances of unsuitable trading but failed to respond reasonably.

Based on public records, it is believed that the financial advisor at issue is Sam Aziz. Mr. Aziz worked at Coastal Equities in the Dublin, Ohio branch from September 2015 through July 2018. In 2019, Mr. Aziz was barred by FINRA from the securities industry. He has also been the subject of numerous customer complaints.