Alternative Investment

Broker Richard Weeks Iv in Hightower Securities, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 23, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Currently financial advisor Richard Weeks Iv (Weeks Iv), currently employed by brokerage firm Hightower Securities, LLC has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $450,000.00 on April 09, 2021.

Richard Weeks is the subject of a FINRA arbitration alleging sales practice violations, including a violation of suitability obligations, in connection with a private placement investment made on or around February 2017, currently required to be disclosed pursuant to FINRA guidance. \, \, The FINRA arbitration for this matter is still pending, and the FINRA arbitration tribunals have not yet finalized its evaluation of the client’s statement of claim. In keeping with FINRA’s disclosure requirements, this arbitration is required to be disclosed before Mr. Weeks can defend his actions.

Broker Frank Betsch in Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 20, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Frank Betsch (Betsch), previously employed by brokerage firm Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $75,000.00 on April 26, 2021.

Client alleges that Financial Professional misrepresented the risks associated with REITS and BDCs and that the investments were unsuitable.

Broker Dawn Strachan in Osaic Wealth, INC. Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 19, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Currently financial advisor Dawn Strachan (Strachan), currently employed by brokerage firm Osaic Wealth, INC. has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $999,999.00 on April 29, 2021.

Clients allege 2015 Private Placement and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) purchases were unsuitable.

Broker Brian Grumbach in Hightower Securities, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 19, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Brian Grumbach (Grumbach), previously employed by brokerage firm Hightower Securities, LLC has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $250,000.00 on April 27, 2021.

Brian Grumbach is the subject of a FINRA arbitration alleging certain sales practice violations, including a violation of suitability obligations, in connection with a private placement investment made on or around March 2017, currently required to be disclosed pursuant to FINRA guidance.

When “Democratizing” Access to Alternatives Becomes a Risk for Main Street Investors Featuring commentary by securities arbitration attorney Adam Gana

February 18, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

For many American retirees, the dream of a secure retirement is built on decades of prudent saving, workplace retirement accounts, and a belief that financial advice from licensed professionals will protect their nest egg. But a recent article in The Guardian highlights a troubling trend that may undermine that belief by expanding access to complex, high-risk financial products to everyday investors—without commensurate investor protections.

Read the full Guardian article here.

The report, titled “I feel like I’m in a financial prison”: Trump Wall Street plan puts ‘mom and pop’ investors at risk, examines how recent regulatory shifts and executive actions are opening the door for “mom and pop” investors to be sold alternative investments traditionally reserved for sophisticated, institutional buyers.

When Private Placements Collapse: What the Inspired Healthcare Capital Bankruptcy Means for Investors – Featuring commentary by securities arbitration attorney Adam Gana

February 18, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Private placements and alternative investments sold through networks of broker-dealers often appear “stable” on account statements, sometimes persist for years without valuation changes, and can outperform in normal markets. But when economic conditions shift, rising costs and cash-flow stress can expose weaknesses that leave investors with large losses and few real options.

That dynamic is on display in the recent Chapter 11 filing by Inspired Healthcare Capital, a senior housing and assisted living developer that raised funds through a network of independent broker-dealers. The bankruptcy leaves investor noteholders and private placement purchasers on the hook and may spark litigation as investors look for ways to recover losses.

InvestmentNews covered the story here.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Richard Martin in Firm Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

February 18, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Currently financial advisor Richard Martin (Martin), currently employed by brokerage firm Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $330,430.00 on May 07, 2021.

The clients stated that they were provided incorrect amounts for their Required Minimum Requirement (RMD) distributions for 2014 and 2015 and were sold illiquid insurance policies (April 1991 through April 2015), annuities (April 2006 through April 2013), and a non-traded REITs (February 2009 through August 2014) that were inappropriate for their ages.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Patrick Harris in Firm Sagepoint Financial, INC.

February 18, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Patrick Harris (Harris), previously employed by brokerage firm Sagepoint Financial, INC. has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $20,000.00 on May 04, 2021.

Misrepresentation of a BDC is alleged.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Forrest Ross in Firm LPL Financial LLC

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Forrest Ross (Ross), previously employed by brokerage firm LPL Financial LLC has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $44,000.00 on May 12, 2021.

Products under DDPs include non-traded REITs, oil and gas offerings, equipment leasing investments, and a range of other alternative financial instruments. These alternative investments rarely generate profits for investors and are generally unsuitable due to their excessive fees and costly structure. By offering brokers extra commissions, firms incentivize the sale of poor-quality investments, ultimately leading to a manipulated market driven by artificial demand.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Richard Demetriou in Firm Titan Securities

February 14, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Richard Demetriou (Demetriou), previously employed by brokerage firm Titan Securities has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on June 09, 2021.

Overconcentration in REITs