The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Leslie Jackson (Jackson) has been accused by investors of engaging in fraudulent misappropriation of their funds. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), it appears that Jackson was employed by Momentum Independent Network INC. at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Jackson’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on September 19, 2023.
Without admitting or denying the findings, Jackson consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he participated in private securities transactions totaling $1,975,000 without providing advance written notice to his member firm prior to engaging in these transactions. The findings stated that Jackson participated in the sale of promissory notes issued by entities purportedly engaged in a business that provided financing to construction companies. Jackson recommended the investments to five investors, including one family member and three firm customers, who ultimately purchased an aggregate $1,475,000 of the issuers’ promissory notes. Jackson also personally purchased notes totaling $500,000. Jackson participated in these investments by telling the investors about the notes, answering questions about the investments, helping the investors complete the subscription documents, and collecting the payments for the investments to provide to the issuers. Jackson received periodic payments from the issuers in amounts equal to 3% of each investment per year during their respective terms, paid monthly. In addition, Jackson falsely responded to questions about whether he had participated in private securities transactions on compliance questionnaires.
We have a strong track record of advocating for victims of fraud when advisors obtain loans from clients or engage in securities sales via OBAs. Engaging in the sale of unapproved investment products, fake investments that conceal misappropriated funds, and other fraudulent activities is referred to as “selling away” in the industry—a severe violation of securities regulations. The term “selling away” in the industry refers to financial advisors promoting investments in businesses, promissory notes, or securities that their affiliated brokerage firm has not approved. Some of these investments may appear legitimate, but they often lead to Ponzi schemes or advisors engaging in fund misappropriation.
However, federal securities laws and the FINRA rules require firms to monitor and supervise its employees in order to detect and prevent brokers from offering investments in this fashion. Firms are required to have protocols in place to oversee their brokers by tracking each advisor’s activities and public interactions. Selling away misconduct often occurs where brokerage firms either fail to put in place a reasonable supervisory system or fail to actually implement that system. Supervisory failures allow brokers to engage in unsupervised misconduct that can include all manner improper conduct including selling away.
In cases of selling away the investor is unaware that the advisor’s investments are improper. In many of these cases the investor will not learn that the broker’s activities were wrongful until after the investment scheme is publicized, the broker is fired or charged by law enforcement, or stops returning client calls altogether.
Jackson has been in the securities industry for more than 31 years. Jackson has been registered as a Broker with Momentum Independent Network INC. since 1991.
Investors who have suffered losses are encouraged to contact us at (800) 810-4262 for consultation. At Gana Weinstein LLP, our attorneys are experienced representing investors who have suffered securities losses due to the mishandling of their accounts. Claims may be brought in securities arbitration before FINRA. Our consultations are free of charge and the firm is only compensated if you recover.