Arete Wealth Management

Broker Robert Fratesi in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

January 27, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Robert Fratesi (Fratesi), previously associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Fratesi 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 $500,000.00 on August 23, 2021.

Client alleges unsuitable investment recommendations in August 2016.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Michael Haffling in Firm Arete Wealth Management, LLC

January 24, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Michael Haffling (Haffling), previously associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least 7 disclosable events. These events include 7 customer complaints, alleging that Haffling 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 $730,000.00 on September 14, 2021.

SALE OF UNSUITABLE, ILLIQUID, HIGH-RISK AND HIGH COMMISSION INVESTMENTS TO CLAIMANTS IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL AND IRA ACCOUNTS.

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

January 16, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Michael Napolitano (Napolitano), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Napolitano 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 $350,000.00 on November 29, 2021.

Misrepresentation and failure to conduct reasonable due diligence.

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

January 5, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to BrokerCheck records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) broker Michael Dandrea (Dandrea), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. Several of those complaints against Dandrea concern allegations of high frequency trading activity also referred to as churning or excessive trading among other securities laws violations.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $1,440,000.00 on November 05, 2025.

Claim of excessive trading

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Avi Bialo in Firm Arete Wealth Management, LLC

January 2, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Avi Bialo (Bialo), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Bialo 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 $105,000.00 on November 25, 2025.

Client alleges registered representative recommended an unsuitable investment.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Lawrence Hardee in Firm Arete Wealth Management, LLC

December 27, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Lawrence Hardee (Hardee), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Hardee 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 $430,000.00 on January 13, 2022.

Unsuitable, high risk , illiquid. Failed to do reasonable due diligence

Broker James Devary in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

December 25, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker James Devary (Devary), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, alleging that Devary 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, 2022.

Suitability

Broker Lawrence Hardee in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

December 11, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Lawrence Hardee (Hardee), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Hardee 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 $430,000.00 on January 13, 2022.

Unsuitable, high risk , illiquid. Failed to do reasonable due diligence

Broker James Devary in Arete Wealth Management, LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

December 9, 2025 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker James Devary (Devary), currently associated with Arete Wealth Management, LLC, has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, alleging that Devary 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, 2022.

Suitability

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.