Conrad Tambalo Bautista (Bautista) resolved charges brought by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) concerning the sale of private securities and possible involvement in a fraudulent investment scheme by accepting a bar from the securities industry. Bautista has been associated with seven FINRA member firms including his most recent employer,…
The Wall Street Journal and Reuters quoted managing partner, Adam J. Gana after he received a $2.8 Million award in Jacobs v. Van Zandt, FINRA Case No. 12-00156. Seven claimants alleged that Robert Van Zandt orchestrated a $35 million ponzi scheme leading to Mr. Van Zandt’s criminal indictment by the New…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has barred Ralph Saviano (Saviano) from the securities industry after the broker failed to respond to FINRA’s requests for information and an interview concerning unreported tax liens, a civil judgment, and a customer complaint involving the misuse of funds. During a routine investigation of…
David Mura was recently barred by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) over allegations concerning the sale of unregistered securities away from his associated brokerage firm. From September 2002 through April 2011, Mura was a registered representative and branch office manager with J.P.…
Turker Ergun (Ergun) settled charges brought by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) concerning the sale of private securities and misappropriating customer funds by accepting a bar from the securities industry. From January 2004 until December 2008, Ergun was associated with WaMu Investments, Inc. From December 2008 through October 2009,…
Michael J. Kmetz (Kmetz) was barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) over allegations concerning the sale of securities away from his member firm involving an elderly customer by accepting a bar from the securities industry. On February 15, 2013, FINRA sent a letter to Kmetz requesting that he…
At least one action has been initiated against Jason T. Knapp (Knapp) accusing the broker of running a Ponzi scheme. Knapp is a former broker of Dawson James Securities, Inc. (Dawson James) and operated under the company name Steeple Chase Group, LLC (Steeple Chase). Steeple Chase holds itself out as…
Gana Weinstein LLP is investigating claims against LPL Financial (LPL) on behalf of former customers of Alberto Neira who invested in Silver Oak Leasing (Silver Oak). In November 2012, Neira executed a letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) concerning his sale of…
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently entered a default decision against George Alexander Kardaras (Kardaras) and Brian Matt Borakowski (Borakowski) after having alleged that the two brokers perpetrated a Ponzi scheme. FINRA found that the two solicited at least 12 customers over four years to invest more than $665,000…
David Mickelson has been accused by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) of improperly selling approximately $8.3 million worth of various private placements to at least 71 customers without informing his brokerage firm (a practice known as “selling away“). From 2004 through May 2011, Mickelson was associated with NFP Securities,…