Securities Lawyers Blog
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Richard Carlesco (Carlesco) 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 Carlesco was employed by Cambridge Investment Research, INC. / IBN Financial Services, INC. at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Carlesco’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $96,000.00 on December 08, 2025.
Claimant, who has been a registered representative for decades, allegedly purchased a convertible note in November 2019 after a discussion with another registered representative. Claimant alleges that the other RR was selling away from his firm and that he was not an accredited investor for purposes of the investment.
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. 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. “Selling away” is the term used in the industry when a financial advisor solicits investments in companies, promissory notes, or securities without obtaining approval from their affiliated brokerage firm. Although certain investments may have some validity, they frequently devolve into Ponzi schemes or involve advisors unlawfully diverting 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.
Carlesco entered the securities industry in 1991. Carlesco has been registered as a Broker with Cambridge Investment Research, INC. / IBN Financial Services, INC. since 2025.
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.