Securities Lawyers Blog

Broker Charles Chan in Cetera Wealth Services, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 5, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Charles Chan (Chan), currently associated with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Chan 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 $108,000.00 on February 23, 2026.

Claimants allege unsuitable recommendations and excessive concentration risk.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Wesley Steed in Firm Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC

June 5, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on February 24, 2026.

Client verbally complained that the Financial Advisor did not follow instructions given for the purchase of securities. (10/1/2025 – 2/24/2026)

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Kenneth Vercellino in Firm Raymond James & Associates, INC.

June 5, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Kenneth Vercellino (Vercellino), currently associated with Raymond James & Associates, INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Vercellino 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 $10,953,568.00 on February 25, 2026.

Customer alleges unsuitable investment recommendation and exercise of discretion in investment accounts. Activity dates April 2021 – March 2023.

Broker Christ Mavrakos in LPL Financial LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 5, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Christ Mavrakos (Mavrakos), currently associated with LPL Financial LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Mavrakos 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 $250,000.00 on February 26, 2026.

Claimants allege their advisor did not make them aware of short positions between 2022 and 2026, and it resulted in financial loss.

EcoVest Charitable Deduction Investments: What Investors Need to Know

June 4, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

For years, EcoVest Capital promoted investments that promised significant tax benefits through syndicated conservation easement transactions. Many investors were attracted by the opportunity to generate large charitable deductions while simultaneously participating in land conservation projects. However, those investments have become the subject of extensive scrutiny by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice, and the United States Tax Court.

Today, many investors who participated in EcoVest-sponsored offerings are facing audits, penalties, interest assessments, and uncertainty regarding the tax benefits they were originally told they could expect.

What Is a Syndicated Conservation Easement?

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Andrew Andreotta in Firm LPL Financial LLC

June 4, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint on February 26, 2026.

The customers submitted a notarized affidavit of forgery alleging that their signatures on a wire request form dated November 21, 2025 were forged and that they did not authorize the associated transfer of funds. The customers further allege that additional account documentation was reused or included in connection with other transactions without their knowledge and that related fund transfers were effected without their authorization.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker John Griep in Firm UBS Financial Services INC.

June 4, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint on February 26, 2026.

Time Frame: June 17th, 2025 to July 23rd, 2025\, \, What were the allegations against the individual? The client alleges that his Financial Advisor failed to follow his instructions by moving money from his traditional IRA to cover a townhouse purchase, instead of from his Roth IRA. The client further alleges, by failing to follow his instructions, this caused him tax implications, which he wants resolved.

Broker Alexander Mclachlin in Independent Investment Bankers, Corp. Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 4, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Alexander Mclachlin (Mclachlin), currently associated with Independent Investment Bankers, Corp., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Mclachlin 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 $18,000.00 on March 02, 2026.

Claimant alleges breach of contract and related claims arising from a capital raising engagement agreement dated January 14, 2025, and extension amendment dated May 19, 2025, between Independent Investment Bankers Corp. and Tackle Enterprises, LLC. Claimant alleges inadequate services were performed during the engagement period of January through July 2025 and seeks return of engagement fees paid. Respondent denies all allegations and intends to contest the claims vigorously. No securities product was involved in the engagement.

Broker Benjamin Duckett in Morgan Stanley Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 4, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint on March 19, 2026.

Client alleged, inter alia, that covered call option strategy implemented in his account was misrepresented leading to the loss of some of his shares that were called and the chance to participate in the appreciate of the stock

Broker Justin Sheik in First Citizens Investor Services, INC. Firm Has Customer Complaint

June 4, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating BrokerCheck records reports that Broker Justin Sheik (Sheik), currently employed by First Citizens Investor Services, INC. has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Sheik’s most recent customer complaint alleges that Sheik recommended unsuitable investments in structured products and makes allegations concerning misconduct relating to the handling of the customer’s accounts.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $13,700.00 on February 27, 2026.

Client alleges poor recommendation/poor advice regarding Structured Capital Strategies Plus 21 Series B investment. Activity dates 02/17/2026-02/17/2026