Securities Lawyers Blog
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker James Burton (Burton) 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 Burton was employed by Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Burton’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on April 24, 2025.
Without admitting or denying the findings, Burton consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he failed to provide documents requested by FINRA during its investigation into sales of promissory notes in a company claiming to offer investments in crypto asset funds and programs. The findings stated that Burton initially cooperated with FINRA’s investigation, but ultimately ceased doing so.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $110,000.00 on October 10, 2023.
Customer alleges he was not made aware of the risks and facts of purchasing Jazzberry Digital Solutions, Inc. non-registered promissory notes leading to financial losses. The sale of these notes was facilitated by RR Burton outside of Firm’s policies and procedures, as he did not disclose this Outside Business Activity to the Firm.
We specialize in representing victims of fraud when financial advisors take loans from clients or facilitate securities transactions through OBAs. The practice of selling unapproved investments, promoting fraudulent schemes to hide misused funds, and engaging in other deceptive acts is known in the industry as “selling away,” a major infraction of securities laws. 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 some of these investments may have a degree of legitimacy, they often turn out to be Ponzi schemes or involve advisors misappropriating 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. Each firm is obligated to enforce measures that oversee brokers by monitoring advisors’ conduct and their interactions with clients. 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.
Burton has been in the securities industry for more than 16 years. Burton has been registered as a Broker with Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC since 2007.
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.