Arete Wealth Management

Broker Christopher Kazan in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

November 26, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Christopher Kazan (Kazan), previously associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, alleging that Kazan 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 $200,000.00 on May 11, 2022.

Claims investments were not suitable.

Broker Larry Clayton in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

October 17, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Larry Clayton (Clayton), previously associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Clayton 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 $312,000.00 on February 01, 2024.

In 2024, a customer filed an arbitration claim with the American Arbitration Association.\\u00a0 The statement of claim alleged violations of state securities statues, consumer protection laws, and common law claims.\\u00a0 The matter was resolved though settlement without any admission of liability and the arbitration was dismissed with prejudice in 2025.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Matthew Smith in Firm Arete Wealth Management, LLC

October 16, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Matthew Smith (Smith), previously employed by brokerage firm Arete Wealth Management, LLC has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. 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 $200,000.00 on March 20, 2025.

The claimant invested in a private placement 12/22/2020 and now claims that the investment was unsuitable.

Broker Kenneth New in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

October 11, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Kenneth New (New), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that New 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 $100,000.00 on August 19, 2025.

Clients allege registered representative mishandled the assets Claimant entrusted to their care by over-concentrating the assets in illiquid non-traded alternative investments, which were unsuitable for Claimant’s ages,\, investment goals, and risk tolerance.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Dennis Thurman in Firm Arete Wealth Management, LLC

October 6, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Dennis Thurman (Thurman), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Thurman 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 $100,000.00 on October 21, 2022.

Customers allege unsuitable investment recommendations in 2019.

Broker Bruce Johnson in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

October 5, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

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

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on October 25, 2022.

Claimants purchased L bonds in January 2020 ($25k), August 2020 ($25k), and December 2020 ($25k). Claim against Portsmouth Financial as the ‘respondent’ include misrepresenting or omitting that the Bonds were high-risk, speculative and could result in a total loss of principal. Additional claims include that the firm failed to adequately disclose material changes to GWG’s business model in 2018, and that the firm’s due diligence was inadequate.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker David Narish in Firm Arete Wealth Management, LLC

October 2, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker David Narish (Narish), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Narish 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 November 21, 2022.

Client alleges registered representative recommended an unsuitable investments not in the client’s best interest.

Broker Dennis Mcmillan in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

August 31, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Dennis Mcmillan (Mcmillan), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, 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 with a damage request of $60,000.00 on May 31, 2023.

Clients allege unsuitable investment recommendations in May 2019 and April 2020

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Adam Fisher in Firm Arete Wealth Management, LLC

August 29, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Adam Fisher (Fisher), previously associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Fisher 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 $19,500,000.00 on June 26, 2023.

The AAA Arbitration involves Claimants’ claims associated with Stephen Swensen, a non-party to the AAA Arbitration and this Agreement, whom was a past investment advisor at Wealth Navigation. Stephen Swensen ran an investment scam known as Crew Capital. In the AAA Arbitration, Claimants assert that they invested approximately $19,500,000.00 in the now worthless Crew Capital fund. The AAA Arbitration includes claims against Wealth Navigation, Fisher, Jones, and Cazier for violations of the Utah Securities Act, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent breach of professional duties, and negligent failure to supervise.

Broker Michael Jones in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

August 29, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Michael Jones (Jones), previously associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Jones 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 $19,500,000.00 on June 26, 2023.

The AAA Arbitration involves Claimants’ claims associated with Stephen Swensen, a non-party to the AAA Arbitration and this Agreement, whom was a past investment advisor at Wealth Navigation. Stephen Swensen ran an investment scam known as Crew Capital. In the AAA Arbitration, Claimants assert that they invested approximately $19,500,000.00 in the now worthless Crew Capital fund. The AAA Arbitration includes claims against Wealth Navigation, Fisher, Jones, and Cazier for violations of the Utah Securities Act, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent breach of professional duties, and negligent failure to supervise