Securities Lawyers Blog

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Richard Acker in Firm Centaurus Financial, INC.

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Richard Acker (Acker), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Acker recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $500,000.00 on January 30, 2024.

The customer alleges that from December 2011 through November 2013, the Registered Representative recommended unsuitable investments and investment strategies in various illiquid alternative investments.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker John Darmanian in Firm Western International Securities, INC.

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker John Darmanian (Darmanian), currently associated with Western International Securities, INC., has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, alleging that Darmanian recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $50,000.00 on January 31, 2024.

Allegations of supervisory failures

Broker Lori Farley in J.P. Morgan Securities LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Lori Farley (Farley), previously associated with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Farley recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $25,000.00 on January 24, 2024.

Plaintiff alleges the registered representative solicited her investment in crypto currency options through a third party, resulting in loss of principal, and misrepresented material facts related to the transaction.

Broker Andrew Sinsigalli in Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Andrew Sinsigalli (Sinsigalli), currently associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Sinsigalli recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 25, 2024.

Client alleges representative made unsuitable investments from 2/24/2021-11/25/2023.

Broker Bryan Chew in Commonwealth Financial Network Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Bryan Chew (Chew), currently associated with Commonwealth Financial Network, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Chew recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $18,077.42 on January 26, 2024.

Brokers are required to adhere to the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) standard of care under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which establishes a ‘best interest’ standard for broker-dealers and associated persons. Reg BI applies when brokers recommend a retail investor engage in securities transaction or an investment strategy involving one or more securities. Reg BI also applies to financial advice concerning the transfer of funds and opening of accounts. Reg BI is drawn from fiduciary principles that include an obligation to act in the retail investor’s best interest and the broker is prohibited from placing their own interests ahead of the investor’s interest.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Peter Kalmus in Firm IBN Financial Services, INC.

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Peter Kalmus (Kalmus), currently associated with IBN Financial Services, INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Kalmus recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 31, 2024.

Claimants state state unsuitable recommendation and inadequate due diligence of offerings presented by GPB Capital Holdings, LLC.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Joel Freedman in Firm Sanctuary Securities, INC.

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Joel Freedman (Freedman), currently associated with Sanctuary Securities, INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Freedman recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $1,431,587.00 on January 24, 2024.

Client alleges, inter alia, that there were trades executed in his account that were unauthorized 2023-2024

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Burton Bartlett in Firm Landolt Securities, INC.

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Burton Bartlett (Bartlett), previously associated with Landolt Securities, INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Bartlett recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $50,000.00 on January 30, 2024.

Almost 2 years following GWG Holdings Inc. filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the customer is now alleging that their L bond purchase from December 2021 was unsuitable.

Broker Thomas Branchini in LPL Enterprise, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Thomas Branchini (Branchini), currently associated with LPL Enterprise, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Branchini recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $175,000.00 on January 26, 2024.

The client alleges negligence as she requested the rep make the four children contingent beneficiaries, not primary beneficiaries. She also alleges the rep continued to inform her that she was the beneficiary of the policy after the change was recorded.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Edward Muster in Firm Herbert J. Sims & Co, INC.

June 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Edward Muster (Muster), previously employed by brokerage firm Herbert J. Sims & Co, INC. has been subject to at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints. 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 pending customer complaint with a damage request of $5,000,000.00 on January 26, 2024.

Alleged firm sold inappropriate private placements