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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 26, 2024.

Claimant alleged that the Representative recommended multiple alternative investment products that resulted in substantial losses. Claimant further alleged that the Representative misrepresented the risks associated with products.

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Lawrence Whipple (Whipple), 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 Whipple  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 $2,000,000.00 on May 14, 2024.

Power of Attorney for client alleges excessive trading in client’s account from December 2022 to November 2023

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 26, 2024.

Claimant alleged that the Representative recommended a Real Estate Investment Trust that was unsuitable, and resulted in a substantial loss. Claimant further alleged that the Representative misrepresented the risks and potential for future income and growth.

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 26, 2024.

Claimant alleged that the Representative recommended a Real Estate Investment Trust that was unsuitable, and resulted in a substantial loss. Claimant further alleged that the Representative misrepresented the risks and potential for future  growth.

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 26, 2024.

Claimant alleged that the Representative recommended multiple alternative investment products that resulted in substantial losses. Claimant further alleged that the Representative misrepresented the risks of the products.

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 26, 2024.

Claimants alleged that the Representative recommended multiple alternative investment products that resulted in substantial losses. Claimants further alleged that Representative misrepresented the risks and potential for future income and growth.

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 26, 2024.

Claimants alleged that the Representative recommended a Real Estate Investment Trust that resulted in a substantial loss. Claimants further alleged that the Representative misrepresented the risks and potential for future income and growth.

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on January 26, 2024.

Claimant alleged that the Representative recommended two Real Estate Investment Trust products that resulted in substantial losses. Claimant further alleged that Representative misrepresented the risks and potential for future income and growth of the product(s).

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Franklin Lainez (Lainez), currently associated with Td Private Client Wealth LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Lainez 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 $10,000,000.00 on April 04, 2025.

Unlawfully transferred funds for the purchase of property

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Christopher Coffey (Coffey), previously associated with Allstate Financial Services, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Coffey 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 $125,000.00 on March 27, 2025.

Claimant, age 64, alleges that Respondent and its Financial Advisor, Christopher Coffey, engaged in misconduct resulting in significant financial harm. In 2020, Coffey advised Claimant to liquidate an Athene annuity rather than execute a tax-deferred rollover. This recommendation triggered a taxable event of nearly $80,000 and a withdrawal penalty of approximately $47,000. Coffey allegedly assured Claimant that his investment strategies would offset these losses, a promise Claimant asserts was unrealistic given Coffey’s limited experience.\, \, Claimant alleges continued misconduct by Financial Advisor Christopher Coffey, including unauthorized communications and forged signatures on annuity applications in 2023, despite explicit instructions not to invest in annuities. The annuity provider ultimately reversed the transactions and waived penalties. Coffey was terminated by Respondent and sanctioned by FINRA. However, Claimant asserts that these actions do not remedy the approximately $125,000 in damages stemming from the original Athene annuity liquidation. The claim includes allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, failure to supervise, negligent hiring, unsuitable investment recommendations, and violations of FINRA conduct rules.

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