Securities Lawyers Blog
The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP are investigating BrokerCheck records reports that broker William Nicholas Athas (Athas), currently employed by SW Financial has been subject to at least nine customer complaints during the course of his career. According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Athas’s customer complaints alleges that Athas recommended unsuitable investments in various investments among other allegations of misconduct relating to the handling of their accounts.
In January 2022, FINRA barred Athas finding that Athas willfully violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 thereunder and violated FINRA Rule 2020 by churning customer accounts.
In May 2020, a customer complained that Athas violated the securities laws by alleging that Athas engaged in unsuitable trading, common law fraud, churning. The claim alleges $84,932.35 in damages and is currently pending.
In January 2017, a customer complained that Athas violated the securities laws by alleging that Athas engaged in misrepresentations, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, negligence, unauthorized trading, and violations of Texas State Securities Act. The damage amount requested was $290,000. The claim settled in the amount of $95,000.
In July 2011, a customer complained that Athas violated the securities laws by alleging that Athas engaged in churning and excessive trading. The damage amount requested was $100,000. The claim settled in the amount of $10,000.