Churning (Excessive Trading)

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.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Timothy Bartelt in Firm Raymond James Financial Services, INC.

February 16, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Timothy Bartelt (Bartelt), currently associated with Raymond James Financial Services, INC., has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. Several of those complaints against Bartelt concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $3,000,000.00 on May 19, 2021.

FA recommended unsuitable investments, over-concentrated claimant in energy sector securities, misrepresented the nature of certain securities, and engaged in churning.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Stephen Sloane in Firm Westpark Capital, INC.

February 11, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Stephen Sloane (Sloane), previously associated with Westpark Capital, INC., has been subject to at least 2 disclosable events. These events include one customer complaint, one regulatory event. Several of those complaints against Sloane concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on July 01, 2021.

Client is alleging unsuitable recommendations and churning treasuries.

Broker Jason Griffin in Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 3, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Jason Griffin (Griffin), currently associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. Several of those complaints against Griffin concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint on December 23, 2025.

Attorney for customer alleges unauthorized and excessive trading in the account in October and November 2025.

Broker Michael Chakos in Worden Capital Management LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 2, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Michael Chakos (Chakos), previously associated with Worden Capital Management LLC, has been subject to at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints. Several of those complaints against Chakos concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $330,113.00 on July 08, 2021.

Churning and quantitative unsuitability; unauthorized trading; standards of commercial honor and principles of trade; and, breach of fiduciary contract. Alleged activity dates are December 2016 through late 2020, although only activity from October 2017 forward was margin sellouts

Broker Vincent Mangone in Worden Capital Management LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 2, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Vincent Mangone (Mangone), previously associated with Worden Capital Management LLC, has been subject to at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints. Several of those complaints against Mangone concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $330,113.00 on July 08, 2021.

Churning and quantitative unsuitability; unauthorized trading; standards of commercial honor and principles of trade; and, breach of fiduciary contract. Alleged activity dates are December 2016 through late 2020, although only activity from October 2017 forward was margin sellouts.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Steven Meyer in Firm IBN Financial Services, INC.

February 1, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Steven Meyer (Meyer), currently associated with IBN Financial Services, INC., has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. Several of those complaints against Meyer concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $67,000.00 on July 19, 2021.

Between June 2015 and July 2017, client alleges fraud, excessive trading, unauthorized trading, breach of fiduciary duty, unsuitable transactions, negligence and unjust enrichment.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Daniel Mcgowan in Firm Benchmark Investments, INC.

February 1, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Daniel Mcgowan (Mcgowan), previously associated with Benchmark Investments, INC., has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. Several of those complaints against Mcgowan concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $34,000.00 on July 19, 2021.

Claimant alleges: excessive trading, unauthorized trading, unsuitability, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence

Broker Joseph Baldassarra in Newbridge Securities Corporation Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 1, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Joseph Baldassarra (Baldassarra), previously associated with Newbridge Securities Corporation, has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. Several of those complaints against Baldassarra concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $34,000.00 on July 19, 2021.

Claimant alleges: excessive trading, unauthorized trading, unsuitability, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Serge Parakhnevich in Firm PHX Financial, INC.

January 30, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Serge Parakhnevich (Parakhnevich), currently associated with PHX Financial, INC., has been subject to at least 3 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, one regulatory event. Several of those complaints against Parakhnevich concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $50,000.00 on July 23, 2021.

In early summer of 2015, claimant alleges excessive trading, unauthorized trading, and breach of fiduciary duties took place in his account by his registered representatives at the time.