The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Raymond Pirrello (Pirrello) 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 Pirrello was employed by Garden State Securities, INC. at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Pirrello’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $1,800,000.00 on April 25, 2022.
Suitability, churning, beach of fiduciary duty.
Our law firm has extensive experience representing defrauded victims when their advisors accept loans from clients or conduct securities sales through 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. 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.
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. To ensure proper supervision of brokers, firms must establish procedures for monitoring advisors’ actions and engagements with the public. 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.
Pirrello has been in the securities industry for more than 19 years. Pirrello has been registered as a Broker with Garden State Securities, INC. since 2008.
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.