Securities Lawyers Blog
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP continue to investigate the Woodbridge Group of Companies and the Woodbridge Mortgage Funds (Woodbridge). The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has alleged that the Woodbridge operated a billion-dollar Ponzi scheme ensnaring about 8,400 investors. Woodbridge solicited hundreds of disreputable insurance agents and investment brokers to sell its false notes that the firm claimed to be backed by mortgages. In plain sight to regulators, Woodbridge engaged in a nationwide investment fraud by offering the sale of unregistered securities.
According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Alan New (New) appears to be an agent for Woodbridge fraudulent note sales. New was formerly associated with NYLife Securities LLC (NYLife Securities) out of the firm’s Fort Wayne, Indiana office location and is currently still registered with advisory firm Synery Investment Services LLC. At least six customers have accused New of selling them the fraudulent Woodbridge investment.
Federal securities laws and the FINRA rules require firms to monitor and supervise its employees, like New, in order to detect and prevent brokers from offering investments in this fashion. In order to properly supervise their brokers each firm is required to have procedures in order to monitor the activities of each advisor’s activities and interaction with the public. Supervisory failures allow brokers to engage in unsupervised misconduct that can include all manner improper conduct including recommending fraudulent investments.