NYLife Securities

NYLife Securities Advisor Felix Chu Barred By Regulatory Over Promissory Notes

May 25, 2020 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that advisor Felix Chu (Chu) was investigated by a securities regulator for selling promissory notes to clients among other allegations. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Chu left his prior employer, NYLife Securities, LLC (NYLife Securities) prior to several customer complaints concerning the sale of promissory notes. If you have been a victim of Chu’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.

In December 2019 FINRA sent Chu requests for information concerning his activities. Chu failed to respond to the requests and was automatically barred from the brokerage industry.

In October 2019 a customer complained that Chu violated the securities laws by alleging that Radoo engaged in sales practice violations related investments beginning in March 2016 until September 2018, she and her late husband were misled into purchasing promissory notes for $305,000. Plaintiff further alleges that they were misled into remitting a check for $75,000 to purchase what they believed to be additional insurance. The claim is currently, pending and the the investors are seeking compensatory damages in excess of $380,000, lost income, interest, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

Our law firm has significant experience bringing cases on behalf of defrauded victims when their advisors engage in receiving loans from clients or selling securities sales through OBAs. The sale of unapproved investment products – is a practice known in the industry as “selling away” – a serious violation of the securities laws. In the industry the term selling away refers to when a financial advisor solicits investments in companies, promissory notes, or other securities that are not pre-approved by the broker’s affiliated firm. Sometimes those investments have some legitimacy but often times these types of investments can end up being Ponzi schemes or the advisor can be engaging in the conversion of funds.

Advisor Paris Lewis Terminated for Borrowing Money From A Client – Investor Recovery

May 13, 2020 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that advisor Paris Lewis (Lewis) has been accused by his former employer of borrowing funds from a client among other allegations. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Lewis has been terminated by his two prior employers concerning his outside business activities. According to BrokerCheck records, Lewis was formerly registered with FINRA member firm NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife Securities) and MetLife Securities Inc. (MetLife). If you have been a victim of Lewis alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.

In December 2019 NYLife Securities terminated Mr. Lewis after alleging that he was terminated after he violated company policy by borrowing money from a customer. The company became aware of this matter when the company received a verbal customer complaint.

In February 2015 Metlife terminated Mr. Lewis after alleging that he did not follow firm policy regarding outside business activities.

Our law firm has significant experience bringing cases on behalf of defrauded victims when their advisors engage in receiving loans from clients or selling securities sales through OBAs. The sale of unapproved investment products – is a practice known in the industry as “selling away” – a serious violation of the securities laws. In the industry the term selling away refers to when a financial advisor solicits investments in companies, promissory notes, or other securities that are not pre-approved by the broker’s affiliated firm. Sometimes those investments have some legitimacy but often times these types of investments can end up being Ponzi schemes or the advisor can be engaging in the conversion of funds.

George Shadie Discharged By NYLife Over Securities Sales Practices

October 7, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor George Shadie (Shadie), formerly employed by NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife Securities) has been subject to one employment termination for cause, five customer disputes, and three civil liens or judgements during his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the customer complaints against Shadie concerns allegations over variable annuity sales practices.

In July 2019 a customer complained that Shadie violated the securities laws by alleging that Shadie sold two variable annuities issued on or about November 18, 2015 and December 17, 2015 were unsuitable investments due to liquidity restrictions and various fees associated with the accounts. The claim was settled for $45,000.

In February 2019, NYLife Securities discharged Shadie claiming that he was terminated after the company’s review of his business practices raised a number of concerns regarding the quality of his business.

In October 2018 a customer complained that Shadie violated the securities laws by alleging that transactions in January and May 2018 in two variable annuities were initiated without her authorization. Customer demands rescission of all products purchased and compensation in the amount of $100,000. The claim was settled for $60,000.

Variable annuities are complex financial and insurance products. In fact, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a publication entitled: Variable Annuities: What You Should Know encouraging investors to ask questions about the variable annuity before investing. Essentially, a variable annuity is a contract with an insurance company under which the insurer agrees to make periodic payments to you. The investor chooses the investments made in the annuity and value of your variable annuity will vary depending on the performance of the investment options chosen. The primary benefits of variable annuities are the death benefit and tax deferment of investment gains.

NYLife Broker Ronald Walker Subject to Complaints Over Annuity Practices

January 4, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor Ronald Walker (Walker), currently employed by NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife) has been subject to five customer complaints during his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), many of the customer complaints against Walker concern allegations over variable annuity sales practices.

In June 2018 a client complained that Walker violated the securities laws because a client claimed she was not aware that she would be subject to a new surrender period when she agreed to move funds from one variable annuity to another in February 2017. The customer also alleged that being invested in 100% high yield bond funds does not match her risk tolerance. The customer alleged $13,000 in damages. The claim is currently pending.

In November 2017 a client complained that Walker violated the securities laws because a client claimed that the firm approved modifications to two variable annuity contracts. The firm denied the claim.

In October 2017 a client complained that Walker violated the securities laws alleging that he recommended a rider to his variable annuity contract purchased in September 2005 that was unnecessary and expensive. Customer alleges that he did not need the rider because he does not intend to withdraw from the variable annuity. The claim settled for $11,020.58.

Advisor Kari Bracy Accused of Selling Future Income Payments Investment Fraud

December 29, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor Kari Bracy (Bracy), currently employed by NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife Securities) has been subject to one customer complaint during his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the complaint against Bracy concerns allegations of unsuitable investments in Future Income Payments, Inc. (FIP). Bracy has several disclosed outside business activities including Amani Properties, LLC and his d/ba/a name Mahoney Financial Organization, LLC and Wahby Financial Group LLC.

In July 2018 a customer complained that Bracy recommended an investment in Future Income Payments, Inc. a private securities transaction, was misrepresented as a conservative and safe investment with a 7.5% annual return for ten years. The claim alleged $142,697.27 in damages and settled for $80,000.

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP have been investigating investor recovery options due to the alleged pay advance fraud scheme orchestrated by Future Income Payments, LLC (Future Income Payments) also known as Pensions, Annuities, and Settlements, LLC, and its owner Scott Kohn (Kohn). Future Income Payment is an unregistered and illegal security offering. Numerous state and local regulators and agencies also have concluded that FIP product violates a host of laws including securities, loan laws, usury laws, elder abuse, and consumer protection laws.

Joel Flaningan Terminated Over Sale of Fraudulent Woodbridge Mortgage Investments

August 28, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP continue to investigate the Woodbridge Group of Companies and the Woodbridge Mortgage Funds (Woodbridge). The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has alleged that the Woodbridge operated a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme ensnaring about 8,400 investors. Woodbridge solicited hundreds of disreputable insurance agents and investment brokers to sell its false notes that the firm claimed to be backed by mortgages. In plain sight to regulators, Woodbridge engaged in a nationwide investment fraud by offering the sale of unregistered securities.

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Joel Flaningan (Flaningan) appears to be an agent for Woodbridge fraudulent note sales. Flaningan was formerly associated with NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife Securities) out of the firm’s Fort Wayne, Indiana office location. In April 2018 a customer filed a complaint alleging $65,000 in damages resulting form the sale of Woodbridge promissory notes. Thereafter, NYLife Securities terminated Flaningan in May 2018 stating that he violated the firm’s policies and procedures by engaging in an undisclosed private securities transaction away from the broker dealer without approval.

Federal securities laws and the FINRA rules require firms to monitor and supervise its employees, like Flaningan, in order to detect and prevent brokers from offering investments in this fashion. In order to properly supervise their brokers each firm is required to have procedures in order to monitor the activities of each advisor’s activities and interaction with the public. Supervisory failures allow brokers to engage in unsupervised misconduct that can include all manner improper conduct including recommending fraudulent investments.

Synery Investment Advisor Alan New Accused of Selling Fraudulent Woodbridge Mortgage Investments

August 22, 2018 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP continue to investigate the Woodbridge Group of Companies and the Woodbridge Mortgage Funds (Woodbridge). The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has alleged that the Woodbridge operated a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme ensnaring about 8,400 investors. Woodbridge solicited hundreds of disreputable insurance agents and investment brokers to sell its false notes that the firm claimed to be backed by mortgages. In plain sight to regulators, Woodbridge engaged in a nationwide investment fraud by offering the sale of unregistered securities.

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Alan New (New) appears to be an agent for Woodbridge fraudulent note sales. New was formerly associated with NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife Securities) out of the firm’s Fort Wayne, Indiana office location and is currently still registered with advisory firm Synery Investment Services LLC. At least six customers have accused New of selling them the fraudulent Woodbridge investment.

Federal securities laws and the FINRA rules require firms to monitor and supervise its employees, like New, in order to detect and prevent brokers from offering investments in this fashion. In order to properly supervise their brokers each firm is required to have procedures in order to monitor the activities of each advisor’s activities and interaction with the public. Supervisory failures allow brokers to engage in unsupervised misconduct that can include all manner improper conduct including recommending fraudulent investments.

Advisor Walter Starghill Terminated by Lincoln Investment Over Private Securities Transactions

July 13, 2017 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) advisor Walter Starghill (Starghill), in March 2017, was discharged by brokerage firm Lincoln Investment over allegations of Starghill’s “participation in a private securities transaction in violation of Firm policy.” In the industry all securities transactions, private investments, loans, or other financial transactions with the investing public must be disclosed and approved by the firm before the broker can engage in them.

At this time it is unclear what outside business activity Starghill was engaged in. According to Starghill’s disclosures he was involved with TSG Transportation LLC – a transportation service. FINRA requires brokers to disclose their outside businesses because the risk to investors is that the broker will use such businesses to engage in unauthorized securities activities. In addition, Starghill obtained a Series 6 license as opposed to a broader Series 7 license. A Series 6 license is a very limited license that only allows brokers to sell variable annuities and open end mutual funds. Sometimes brokers with Series 6 licenses engage in private securities transactions due to their limited license.

The providing of loans or selling of notes and other investments outside of a brokerage firm constitutes impermissible private securities transactions – a practice known in the industry as “selling away”.

FINRA Bars Former NYLife Broker Jonathan Williams Over Outside Business Activities

September 29, 2015 | by Staff Attorney

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) brought and enforcement action against broker Jonathan Williams (Williams) (FINRA No. 20150452689) resulting in a bar from the securities industry alleging that Williams failed to provide FINRA staff with information and documents requested. The failure to provide those documents and information to FINRA resulted in an automatic bar from the industry. FINRA’s document requests related to the regulators investigation into claims the Williams falsified certain bank records and potentially commingled client funds in a bank account under his control.

FINRA’s investigation appears to stem from Williams’ termination from NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife) in March 2015. At that time NYLife filed a Form U5 termination notice with FINRA stating in part that the firm discharged Williams under circumstances where there was allegations that Williams commingled client funds. It is unclear the nature of the outside business activities from publicly available information at this time. However, from the three customer complaints filed against Williams potentially relating to these activities, the clients allege that Williams sold those customers CDs that were issued by Mid-Atlantic Financial and that the funds used to purchase these CDs were withdrawn from accounts with NYLife.

Williams entered the securities industry in 2000. From February 2006, until April 2015, Williams was associated with NYLife out of the firm’s Timonium, Maryland office.

David Chu Formerly of NYLife Securities Barred Over Private Transactions Investigation

July 21, 2015 | by Staff Attorney

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently sanctioned and barred David Chu (Chu) concerning allegations Chu refused cooperate with requests made by FINRA in connection with an investigation into possible outside business activities and private securities transactions. Such activities are often referred to as “selling away” in the industry. According to FINRA BrokerCheck records Chu has no outside business activities listed. It is unclear what businesses or investments FINRA’s investigation concerns.

Chu entered the securities industry in 2004, when he became associated with NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife). Chu held a Series 6 license which is a license that only allows the broker to sell investment companies (i.e. mutual funds) and variable contracts products. On March 16, 2015, NYLife filed a termination notice (known as a Form U5) with FINRA disclosing that Chu was discharged from the firm under circumstances that included a notification from the SEC that the agency was reviewing Chu’s books and records including his outside business activities and private securities transactions. NYLife conducted its own review and believed that Chu’s activities exceeded the scope of his approved activities with the brokerage firm.

According to FINRA, in April 2015, the agency began investigating whether Chu had engaged in outside business activities by soliciting investments or promissory notes. As part of its investigation FINRA sent a request to Chu for certain documents and information. According to FINRA, Chu provided a partial response to FINRA but thereafter through subsequent communications stated on a call with FINRA staff that he will not cooperate with the investigation. Consequently, Chu was barred by FINRA.