Securities Lawyers Blog

Broker Shawn Hawke in Paychex Securities Corporation Firm Has Customer Complaint

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Shawn Hawke (Hawke), previously associated with Paychex Securities Corporation, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Hawke recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on September 25, 2020.

Client alleges an insurance policy sold by the RR in 2017 was unsuitable.

Broker Michael Mccauley in PHX Financial, INC. Firm Has Customer Complaint

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Michael Mccauley (Mccauley), currently associated with PHX Financial, INC., has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, alleging that Mccauley recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $50,000.00 on September 28, 2020.

Suitability. The allegations cover the time frame while i was employed at a previous firm from 04/04/2017 through 07/14/2017.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Adam Rutstein in Firm Bankers Life Securities, INC.

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Adam Rutstein (Rutstein), currently associated with Bankers Life Securities, INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Rutstein recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $15,670.00 on September 25, 2020.

In a written complaint, received by the Firm on September 25, 2020, complainant alleged, based on the recommendation of a Financial Representative of the Firm in November 2019, she exchanged an annuity with an outside institution to open a securities account with the Firm in November of 2019 and, as a result of the recommended exchange, she incurred an unexpected tax liability. Client alleged that the Financial Representative told her the exchange would not result in a taxable event. The client requested to be reimbursed for the tax liability incurred as a result of the exchange. BLS reached a settlement with the client as the result of this complaint.

Broker Richard Lieberfarb in LPL Financial LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Richard Lieberfarb (Lieberfarb), previously associated with LPL Financial LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Lieberfarb recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $35,000.00 on September 24, 2020.

When your financial advisor is providing advice they must adhere to the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) rule and standard of care. Reg BI replaced the former “suitability” rule and created a ‘best interest’ standard for brokerage firms and registered representatives. Reg BI applies when brokers recommend a retail investor engage in securities transaction or an investment strategy involving one or more securities. Reg BI also applies to financial advice concerning the transfer of funds and opening of accounts. This standard applies when a registered representative is providing investment advice through making recommendations customers and covers securities transaction, investment strategies, and recommendations concerning advice on opening of an account or accounts.

Broker Anthony Ragusa in LPL Financial LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Anthony Ragusa (Ragusa), currently associated with LPL Financial LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Ragusa recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $22,322.00 on September 24, 2020.

Claimant-naked owner alleges that certain alternative investments purchased for usufruct account were unsuitable. Activity period: 2/2015 – 9/2020.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker William Brownlee in Firm Cetera Wealth Services, LLC

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker William Brownlee (Brownlee), currently associated with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Brownlee recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $1,000,000.00 on September 24, 2020.

Claimant alleged the representative misrepresented the financial strength and viability of BLO Beauty Bar, a business the claimant purchased from the representative’s spouse. After purchasing, the claimant became sole owner and manager of the business and was responsible for the business’s success.

Broker Paige Matlock in Cetera Investment Services LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Paige Matlock (Matlock), previously associated with Cetera Investment Services LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Matlock recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $50,000.00 on September 23, 2020.

Claimant alleges unsuitable investment recommendations.

Broker Nathan Sampler in Cetera Advisor Networks LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Nathan Sampler (Sampler), previously associated with Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Sampler recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on September 25, 2020.

Customers allege unsuitable investment recommendations.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker James Greene in Firm B. Riley Wealth Management

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker James Greene (Greene), previously associated with B. Riley Wealth Management, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Greene recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $100,000.00 on September 24, 2020.

Suitability

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Jose Cornide in Firm UBS Financial Services INC.

March 28, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Jose Cornide (Cornide), previously associated with UBS Financial Services INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Cornide recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $3,000,000.00 on September 25, 2020.

Time frame: Starting around June 2016 Claimant’s counsel alleges unsuitability and misrepresentation with respect to recommendations to invest in and hold an options overlay strategy.