Investment Lawyer

Advisor Yvonne Silguero Has Complaints Over Altnerative Investment Sales

December 18, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

Advisor Yvonne Silguero (Silguero), currently employed by LPL Financial LLC (LPL Financial) has been subject to at least two customer complaints during the course of her career. According to a BrokerCheck report the customer complaints concerns alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and equipment leasing programs. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented dozens of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

In August 2019 a customer complained that Silguero violated the securities laws by alleging that Silguero engaged in sales practice violations related to negligence, misrepresentations, breach of fiduciary duty from July 2014 through October 2018 concerning alternative investments. The claim alleges $500,000 in damages and is currently pending.

In April 2017 a customer complained that Silguero violated the securities laws by alleging that Silguero engaged in sales practice violations related to violations of the Texas State Securities Statutes, negligent misrepresentations, unsuitable investment recommendations and violations of the FINRA Rules. The claim alleged $3,759,713 in damages and went to hearing. The arbitration panel found LPL Financial liable and awarded $864,839 in damages, $340,000 in attorneys’ fees, and $350,000 in additional damages.

Advisor Timothy Atyeo Alleged to Have Recommended Unsuitable Energy Securities

December 10, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor Timothy Atyeo (Atyeo), currently employed by Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (Oppenheimer), has been subject to at least four customer complaints during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Atyeo has been accused by multiple customers of unsuitable investment advice concerning various investment products including energy stocks most likely including master limited partnerships (MLPs). The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP continue to report on investor related losses and potential legal remedies due to recommendations to investor in oil and gas and commodities related investments.

In July 2019 a customer filed a complaint alleging that Atyeo violated the securities laws by engaging in, among other violations, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentations, and over concentration and speculative trading in the energy sector. The claim alleges $1,100,000 in damages and is currently pending.

In June 2017 a customer filed a complaint alleging that Atyeo violated the securities laws by engaging in, among other violations, too much risk and lack of diversification from 2014 through 2017 causing $4,000,000 in damages. The claim was denied by the firm.

Broker Marc Korsch Subject to Multiple Investment Complaints

September 25, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating broker Marc Korsch (Korsch), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc. (Centaurus Financial) out of Sarasota, Florida and Port Charlotte, Florida. According to a BrokerCheck report, Korsch has been subject to at least three customer disputes, one financial disclosure, and one criminal matter during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the customer complaints against Korsch concern allegations of unsuitable investment recommendations and misrepresentations.

In June 2019 a customer alleged that from August 2014 through May 2019, Korsch misrepresented the features of real estate securities and provided misleading information causing $53,000 in damages. This dispute is currently pending.

In April 2018 a customer alleged that Korsch made an unsuitable recommendation of annuity switches. The claim alleged $55,000 in damages and settled for $8,000.

In February 2017 a customer filed a complaint alleging that Korsch and his previous member firm, Trustmont Financial Group, Inc. (Trustmont Financial), violated the securities laws by, among other things, engaging in common law fraud, unsuitable investments, failure to supervise, and misrepresentations causing $500,000 in damages. The FINRA arbitration panel ordered Trustmont Financial to pay the customer $848,002 in compensatory damages, $100,000 in punitive damages, $15,596 in costs, and $82,500 in attorneys fees.

Lloyd Johnston Subject to Complaints Over Alternative Investments

September 10, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating claims against advisor Lloyd Johnston (Johnston). According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Johnston, formerly registered with Capital Financial Services, Inc. (Capital Financial) out of Spokane, Washington was barred from the financial industry. According to a BrokerCheck report, Johnston has been subject to at least two customer complaints, four regulatory actions, two investigations, one bankruptcy disclosure, one termination, and 15 tax liens. Johnston’s customer complaints allege that Johnston engaged in unsuitable sales of alternative investments and direct participation products (DPPs) such as non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and equipment leasing programs. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have handed many cases with these types of investments causing investor losses.

In September 2018 Johnston failed to disclose or timely disclose tax liens with a balance exceeding $1,000,000 and violated the terms of a Conditional Registration Order, which resulted in the revocation of his license. Large tax liens on a broker’s CRD can be a red flag that the broker may be influenced to engage in high commission activity in order to satisfy personal debts. In addition, a broker’s inability to manage their own finances is relevant in a customer’s decision to use their services.

In May 2018 Johnston failed to respond to FINRA’s request for information and was suspended indefinitely.

In May 2018 a customer alleged that Johnston’s sales of alternative investments were unsuitable to the customer’s investment needs. The exact amount of damages cannot be determined. The claim settled for $35,000.

Advisor Thomas Murray Has Investment Complaint and Bankruptcy Disclosure

September 8, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are reporting on advisor Thomas Gerard Murray (Murray) currently employed by FSC Securities Corporation (FSC Securities) out of Hartsdale, New York. According to a BrokerCheck report, Murray has been subject to at least one customer dispute and one bankruptcy cause during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Murray’s customer complaint concerns allegations of unsuitable investments.

In February 2018 a customer alleged that Murray engaged in unsuitable investments of oil & gas programs causing $210,000 in damages. The claim settled for $48,000.

In March 2012 Murray declared bankruptcy. Information on financial matters such as bankruptcies and tax liens has been found to be material for investors to have because an advisor who cannot manage his own finances is a relevant factor for investors to consider. In addition, a broker in financial distress may be influenced to recommend high commission products or strategies.

John Busco Has More Than 10 Investment Complaints

June 19, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor John Busco (Busco), currently employed by Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. (Laidlaw) and previously with Morgan Stanley has been subject to at least 11 customer complaints and one regulatory action during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Busco’s customer complaints allege that Busco recommended unsuitable securities recommendations in a variety of products including alternative investments among other allegations of misconduct in the handling of customer accounts.

In March 2019 a customer filed a complaint alleging that Busco violated the securities laws by, among other things, that Busco made unsuitable investments in alternative investments from 2009 through 2018 causing damages. The claim is currently pending.

In April 2011 a customer filed a complaint alleging that Busco violated the securities laws by, among other things, that Busco made unsuitable investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac causing $120,000 in damages. The claim settled for $40,000.

Peter Goffin Subject to Multiple Investment Complaints

June 5, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor Peter Goffin (Goffin), currently employed by Newbridge Securities Corporation (Newbridge Securities) has been subject to at least nine customer complaints and one regulatory action during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Goffin’s customer complaints allege that Goffin recommended unsuitable securities recommendations in a variety of products including alternative investments among other allegations of misconduct in the handling of customer accounts.

In March 2019 a customer filed a complaint alleging that Goffin violated the securities laws by, among other things, that Goffin breached his fiduciary duty and was negligent in the sale of alternative investments causing $150,000 in damages. The claim is currently pending.

In January 2012 a customer filed a complaint alleging that Goffin violated the securities laws by, among other things, that Goffin made unsuitable investments in a variable annuity causing $30,000 in damages. The claim was denied.

Advisor Keith Kelt Subject to Complaints Over Alternative Investment Recommendations

June 3, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

Advisor Keith Kelt (Kelt), currently employed by Kovack Securities Inc. (Kovack Securities) has been subject to at least two customer complaints during the course of his career. According to a BrokerCheck report some of the customer complaints concern alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and equipment leasing programs. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have extensive experience handling investor losses caused by these types of products.

Kelt operates under the d/b/a name TKG Financial, LLC in Santa Barbara, California. In addition, Kelt has several other disclosed outside business activities including The Kelt Inc. and Kelt Osborne & Co.

In October 2018 a customer complained that Kelt violated the securities laws by alleging that the financial advisor from 2008 until 2016 made unsuitable investments and failed to supervise related to the sale of securities in their accounts. The claim is currently pending.

In September 2017 a customer complained that Kelt violated the securities laws by alleging that the financial advisor made unsuitable investments and was unhappy with her purchase of Hospitality Investors Trust REIT causing $30,000 in damages. The claim settled for $17,040.

William Hobby Subject to 23 Customer Complaints During His Career

May 20, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor William Hobby (Hobby), formerly employed by UBS Financial Services Inc. (UBS) has been subject to an astonishing 23 customer complaints and one employment termination for cause during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Hobby’s customer complaints allege that Hobby recommended unsuitable securities recommendations among other allegations of misconduct in the handling of customer accounts.

In September 2018 UBS discharged Hobby claiming that the firm’s review found that he exercised discretion in client account without written authorization, failed to escalate same client’s complaint, and worked against firm’s interests by assisting that client in efforts to procure settlement from firm.

In October 2018 a customer filed a complaint alleging that Hobby violated the securities laws by, among other things, from August 2016 to October 2018 that due to her age she should not have been labeled as an aggressive investor and suffered losses she could not afford. The alleged damages are estimated to be in excess of $5,000 and settled for $24,000.

Broker John Neely Subject to Regulatory Sanctions Over Unauthorized Trading

May 7, 2019 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records financial advisor John Neely (Neely), currently employed by St. Bernard Financial Services, Inc. (St. Bernard Financial) has been subject to at least one customer complaint, three regulatory actions, and one employment termination for cause. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Neely has been accused by FINRA of engaging in unauthorized trading in client accounts.

In November 2018 FINRA settled a regulatory action against Neely stating that Neely consented to sanctions and findings that he exercised discretion in effecting hundreds of transactions in two customers’ brokerage accounts without obtaining written approval from the customers to do so. FINRA also found that the customers verbally authorized Neely to exercise discretion in their accounts but that Neely never sought his firm’s approval to service either customer’s accounts on a discretionary basis. In addition, according to FINRA Neely’s firm prohibited the use of discretion in brokerage accounts altogether.

In September 2018 Neely’s then employer Berthel, Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. (Berthel Fisher) terminated Neely stating that he failed to respond to an inquiry from the compliance department.