Merrill Lynch

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Maureen Schulde in Firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

January 18, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Maureen Schulde (Schulde), previously employed by brokerage firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 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 settled customer complaint with a damage request of $25,000.00 on November 08, 2021.

Client alleges breach of fiduciary duty related to unsuitable recommendation of non-traded REIT.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Lefranc Joseph in Firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

January 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Lefranc Joseph (Joseph) has been accused by investors of engaging in fraudulent misappropriation of their funds. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), it appears that Joseph was employed by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Joseph’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $150,000.00 on November 15, 2021.

LeFranc Joseph who was not a named party to the action. Joseph’s name did not appear in the body of the SOC, however, DLA made a best efforts attempt and confirmed that he was the IC who sold the investments at issue in the SOC. The allegations do not include misappropriation, forgery, theft or conversion of funds or securities. Allegation period December 22, 2015 to November 15, 2021

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Anthony Brookfield in Firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

January 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Anthony Brookfield (Brookfield), currently associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Brookfield 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 $7,000,000.00 on November 15, 2021.

January 2016 to Mid-2019\, \, Claimants’ counsel alleges unsuitability and misrepresentation with respect to recommendations to invest in and hold an options overlay strategy.

Broker Richard Gentile in Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Firm Has Customer Complaint

January 16, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Richard Gentile (Gentile), currently associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Gentile recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on December 05, 2021.

Client alleges FA misrepresented tax consequences of exchanging mutual funds within the same fund family resulting in taxes owed and causing the client to miss out on tuition assistance.

Broker Peter Baldeo in Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Firm Has Customer Complaint

January 16, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Peter Baldeo (Baldeo), currently associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Baldeo recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on November 22, 2021.

The customer alleges failure to follow instructions, unauthorized trading and that the Financial Advisor was not acting in his best interests from May 2021 until November 2021.

Broker Forrest Jones in Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Firm Has Customer Complaint

January 14, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Forrest Jones (Jones), previously associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has at least 3 disclosable events. These events include one customer complaint, 2 regulatory events, alleging that Jones recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on May 13, 2022.

Respondent Jones failed to comply with an arbitration award or settlement agreement or to satisfactorily respond to a FINRA request to provide information concerning the status of compliance.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Ernest Frerking in Firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

January 13, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Ernest Frerking (Frerking), previously associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include one customer complaint, one regulatory event, alleging that Frerking recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on August 02, 2022.

Without admitting or denying the findings, Frerking consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to appear for on-the-record testimony requested by FINRA. The findings stated that this matter originated from a FINRA Rule 4530 filing by Frerking’s member firm.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Richard Hogan in Firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

January 13, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Richard Hogan (Hogan) has been accused by investors of engaging in fraudulent misappropriation of their funds. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), it appears that Hogan was employed by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Hogan’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on July 26, 2022.

Without admitting or denying the findings, Hogan consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he participated in private securities transactions in Asia-based funds without providing prior written notice to his member firm. The findings stated that Hogan participated in five private securities transactions in Asia-based funds by three firm customers, who invested a total\<char_lb_r>\, of $630,000 in the funds. Hogan participated in the transactions by soliciting the investments from the customers and directing his assistants to process the investment documentation. The firm did not offer these funds for investment by customers, and the customers’ investments were not custodied with the firm. Hogan disclosed on the firm’s associate investment monitoring (AIM) system that he had personally invested in a Hong Kong equity fund but attested that he had not co-invested with customers or solicited others in connection with the investment. Contrary to this representation, two customers had invested in the same fund, based upon Hogan’s recommendation, prior to his AIM disclosure.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker John Gatto in Firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

January 13, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker John Gatto (Gatto), currently associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include one customer complaint, one regulatory event, alleging that Gatto recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on August 01, 2022.

Pursuant to NY State Insurance Law Section 2110(i), representative failed to disclose an administrative action from the UT Insurance Department.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Christopher Eriksson in Firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

January 12, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Christopher Eriksson (Eriksson) has been accused by investors of engaging in fraudulent misappropriation of their funds. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), it appears that Eriksson was employed by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Eriksson’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a final customer complaint on November 09, 2022.

Without admitting or denying the findings, Eriksson consented to the sanctions and to the entry of findings that he borrowed money from a customer without notice to, or approval from, his member firm. The findings stated that Eriksson borrowed $350,000 from a customer, at a fixed interest rate, as documented by a promissory note drafted by one of the co-trustees of the customer. Eriksson has paid off in full the principal and interest of the loan. The findings also stated that Eriksson engaged in three undisclosed outside business activities (OBAs). In addition, Eriksson submitted questionnaire responses to the firm which failed to disclose all his OBAs.