Articles Tagged with suitability lawyer

shutterstock_177792281-300x198The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating BrokerCheck records reports that financial advisor Charles Kerker (Kerker), formerly employed by Next Financial Group, Inc. (Next Financial) was has been subject to at least one customer complaint and one employment termination for cause during the course of his career.  According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Westenbarger’s customer complaint alleges that Kerker recommended unsuitable investments among other allegations of misconduct relating to the handling of their accounts.

In June 2019 Kerker’s employer, Next Financial, discharged Kerker alleging failure to adequately respond to a compliance inquiry regarding equity transactions in 12 customer accounts. Specifically, the date and time that clients were contacted regarding each transaction, the rationale for the transactions, the suitability analysis conducted for each customer and copies of investment research.

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shutterstock_64025263-199x300The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating claims against advisor Mel Hertz (Hertz), currently registered with The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. (Strategic Financial) out of Kailua, Hawaii.  According to a BrokerCheck report, Hertz has been subject to at least three customer complaints and one investigation.  According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the complaints against Hertz concern allegations of unsuitable investment recommendations.

In May 2018 Hertz was investigated by the State of Hawaii over allegations of his unsuitable investment recommendations.  This investigation is currently pending.

In April 2018 a customer filed a complaint alleging that from April 2013 through April 2018 Hertz engaged in unsuitable investments and misrepresentations causing $133,000 in damages.  The customer also alleged that Hertz failed to properly monitor third-party managed account.  This dispute is still pending.

In April 2013 a customer alleged that Hertz made unsuitable alternative investments of direct participation products (DPPs) and real estate securities causing in damages.  The claim settled for $150,000.

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shutterstock_188141822-300x200The securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating advisor Mark Upchurch (Upchurch), currently associated with Centaurus Financial, Inc. (Centaurus Financial) out of Houston, Texas.  According to a BrokerCheck report, Upchurch has been subject to at least three customer disputes, one regulatory action, and one termination for cause during his career.  According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the customer complaints against Upchurch concern allegations of unsuitable investment recommendations and misrepresentations.

In April 2018 a customer alleged that Upchurch made unsuitable investment recommendations and misrepresentations causing over $5,000 in damages.  The claim settled for $17,500.

In October 2006 FINRA found that Upchurch violated NASD Rule 2110 by signing a customer’s name to an account transfer form without the customer’s permission.  Without admitting or denying the allegations, Upchurch consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of the findings.  Upchurch was fined $5,000 and suspended for 30 days.

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