Articles Tagged with Gana Weinstein LLP

shutterstock_143448874-300x199The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have been investigating previously registered broker Matthew Kerby (Kerby). According to BrokerCheck Records, in January 2018, Kerby was barred from the financial industry by the Financial Industry Regulative Authority (FINRA) for withholding crucial documents from FINRA involving a prior investigation in which Kerby allegedly converted elderly customer funds. Kerby consents to the sanctions that he received FINRA’s request and failed to produce documents. By refusing to provide requested documents, Kerby violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010.   At this time it is unclear the extent and nature of the appropriation that occurred.

In addition, Kerby has been subject to termination from employment. Kerby’s employer, Edward Jones, terminated Kerby in November 2017 alleging that Kirby misappropriated and converted customer funds to utilize them for personal benefit.

Kerby has also been subject to a customer complaint. In November 2017, a customer alleged that Kerby misappropriated the customer’s funds by taking the money out of the account and converting the funds without customer authorization. The dispute was settled at $78,985.80.

shutterstock_95416924-300x225The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating claims against Western International Securities, Inc. (Western International) broker Jorey Bernstein (Bernstein). According to BrokerCheck records, Bernstein has been subject to one pending customer complaint regarding excessive trading.

In August 2018, a customer alleged that from 2009 to 2014, Bernstein excessively traded their account. The customer requested damaged of $3,000,000. This dispute is currently still pending.

In addition, Bernstein has been subject to resignation from Morgan Stanley in 2015 due to customer allegations regarding Bernstein’s illegal interactions and outside business activities with a third-party. A broker’s outside business activities with a third-party can create a conflict of interest with the firm. Therefore, firms are required to monitor such activities through supervision that is in compliance with securities laws and regulations.

shutterstock_128856874-300x200Securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating The O.N. Equity Sales Company (O.N. Equity Sales) broker Dennis Travis (Travis). According to BrokerCheck records, Travis has been subject to 6 customer disputes, one of which is still pending. The majority of these customer disputes involve the unsuitable recommendations of variable annuities. In addition, Travis has been subject to a regulatory action by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which FINRA sanctioned Travis for various violations of the securities laws.

In November 2017, a customer alleged that Travis placed customer into a variable universal life (VUL) insurance policy that was unsuitable to customer investment needs. The customer has alleged $57,643.65 in damages. This dispute is currently still pending.

In addition, in November 2011, FINRA found that Travis placed discretionary trades in the subaccounts of his customers’ variable annuities without the written authorization or knowledge of his customers or his member firm. Travis did this in an attempt to “balance” the allocation of investments. Without admitting or denying the findings, Travis consented to the described sanctions and entry findings. He was fined $5,000 and suspended on December 2011 for 10 days.

shutterstock_184429547-300x200The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating claims against J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. (J.W. Cole Financial) broker Justin Vaccaro (Vaccaro). According to BrokerCheck records, Vaccaro has been subject to three customer complaints, one of which is still pending.

In September 2017, a customer alleged that Vaccaro engaged in Breach of Fiduciary duty, unsuitable investments, fraudulent misrepresentations, and failure to supervise. The case settled at $70,000.

In September 2017, a customer alleged that Vaccaro had advised for unsuitable investments, violated the Oregon Securities Law, breached fiduciary duty, and committed fraud and deceit. The client has requested $195,000 in damages. This dispute is still pending.

shutterstock_26813263The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have been investigating J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (J.P. Morgan) broker Jeffrey Mcaleney (Mcaleney). According to BrokerCheck Records, Mcaleney has been subject to 10 customer disputes, the majority of which concern unsuitable equity, preferred stock, funds, and limited partnership investments.

In October 2017, a customer alleged that from 2007 to 2016, Mcaleney recommended investments that were unsuitable because they were contrary to the customer’s stated goals. The customer requested $313,909.22 in damages.

In October 2017 another customer similarly alleged that from 2014 to 2016, Mcaleney was recommending unsuitable investments that didn’t align with the customer’s needs and goals.

shutterstock_132704474-300x200The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have been investigating The GMS Group, LLC (GMS Group) broker Cormac Maughan (Maughan). According to BrokerCheck records, Maughan has been subject to 2 customer disputes involving unsuitable recommendations of municipal bonds, one of which is still pending. Maughan has also been subject to two regulatory actions in which New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) sanctioned Maughan for various violations of the securities laws, including unauthorized trading and unsuitable investments.

In November 2017, a customer alleged that from January 2009 through to November 2015, Maughan recommended Puerto Rico municipal bonds which were unsuitable to the customer’s investment needs and that Maughan breached his fiduciary duty to the client. This dispute is still pending.

In addition, in May 2004, the NYSE found that Maughan engaged in unauthorized trading by exercising discretionary power with oral but not with written authorization from customer or member firm. The NYSE also found that Maughan also engaged in unsuitable investments that were inconsistent and excessive for his customer in terms of the  customer’s age, investment objectives, and financial circumstances. This violation of NYSE rules 408(a) and 3529c) resulted in a one month suspension for Maughan.

shutterstock_188631644-300x225The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating claims against Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Merrill Lynch) broker Patrick McNamara (McNamara). According to BrokerCheck records, McNamara has been subject to seven customer complaints. The majority of these complaints concern unsuitable investment recommendations and misrepresentation of material facts.

In August 2017, a customer alleged that from September 2011 to July 2017, McNamara misrepresented the nature of investments to customers. The case was settled at $16,063.98.

In August 2015, a customer alleged that from July 2014 to January 2015, McNamara provided unsuitable investment recommendations. The case was settled at $8,438.00.

shutterstock_61142644-300x225The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating claims against Summit Brokerage Services (Summit Brokerage) broker Michael Mathias (Mathias). According to BrokerCheck records, Mathias has been subject to twenty customer complaints, two of which are still pending. The majority of the complaints concern the unsuitable recommendation of variable annuities.

Most recently, in August 2017, a customer alleged that Mathias recommended unsuitable investments to customers, requesting $433,687 in damages. This dispute is currently still pending.

In 2001, a customer alleged that Mathias did not reimburse client for deferred sales charges. The customer further alleges that the annuity investment recommended was not suitable for him.The client is requesting $10,000 in damages. This dispute is currently still pending.

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