Securities Lawyers Blog
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Baron Willis (Willis) 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 Willis was employed by Chelsea Financial Services at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Willis’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 $23,979.19 on March 20, 2020.
Rep engaged in selling away without the firm’s authorization and investment became worthless
Our law firm has extensive experience representing defrauded victims when their advisors accept loans from clients or conduct securities sales through OBAs. In the financial industry, “selling away” refers to the sale of unapproved investment products, fake schemes that conceal stolen funds, and other fraudulent activities, representing a significant violation of securities regulations. The industry defines “selling away” as a practice where a financial advisor offers investments in securities, companies, or promissory notes that have not been authorized by their brokerage firm. While a few of these investments might be valid, many end up as Ponzi schemes or involve advisors illegally converting client 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 adequately supervise their brokers, firms must implement systems that track advisors’ activities and communications 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.
Willis entered the securities industry in 1983. Willis has been registered as a Broker with Chelsea Financial Services since 2016.
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.