Securities Lawyers Blog
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Richard Finnell (Finnell) 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 Finnell was employed by Mwa Financial Services INC. at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Finnell’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 $15,500.00 on December 22, 2020.
Customer alleges that Registered Representative Richard K. Finnell was involved in two unauthorized withdrawals totaling $39,250. The misappropriation of funds claim is on a fixed annuity certificate that is currently owned by the client’s Irrevocable Trust. The claim also alleges fraud in that Mr. Finnell forged a signature and witnessed a forged signature. This arbitration is a continuation of a dispute that was submitted as a written request for information on November 16, 2018 to Woodmen Financial Services, Inc. and a complaint to FINRA in March of 2019, Case No. 20190617285. This also relates to FINRA arbitration case 20-03730.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $15,500.00 on November 15, 2020.
Client alleges that Registered Representative Richard K. Finnell was involved in three unauthorized withdrawals totaling $15,500. The broker/dealer, Woodmen Financial Services, Inc., is also named as a respondent vicariously through Mr. Finnell’s actions. The misappropriation of funds claim is on a certificate that is currently owned by the Irrevocable Trust: Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (‘WoodmenLife’) Variable Annuity Certificate. The claim also alleges fraud in that Mr. Finnell forged a signature and witnessed a forged signature. This arbitration is a continuation of a dispute that was submitted as a written request for information on November 16, 2018 to Woodmen Financial Services, Inc. and a complaint to FINRA in March of 2019, Case No. 20190617285.
Our firm is highly experienced in pursuing cases for defrauded clients whose advisors accept client loans or sell securities through OBAs. Engaging in the sale of unapproved investment products, fake investments that conceal misappropriated funds, and other fraudulent activities is referred to as “selling away” in the industry—a severe violation of securities regulations. In finance, “selling away” occurs when a financial advisor recommends investments in companies, promissory notes, or other securities without the approval of their broker’s affiliated firm. While some of these investments may have a degree of legitimacy, they often turn out to be Ponzi schemes or involve advisors misappropriating funds.
However, federal securities laws and the FINRA rules require firms to monitor and supervise its employees in order to detect and prevent brokers from offering investments in this fashion. To effectively supervise their brokers, each firm must implement procedures to monitor advisors’ activities and interactions with the public. Selling away misconduct often occurs where brokerage firms either fail to put in place a reasonable supervisory system or fail to actually implement that system. Supervisory failures allow brokers to engage in unsupervised misconduct that can include all manner improper conduct including selling away.
In cases of selling away the investor is unaware that the advisor’s investments are improper. In many of these cases the investor will not learn that the broker’s activities were wrongful until after the investment scheme is publicized, the broker is fired or charged by law enforcement, or stops returning client calls altogether.
Finnell has been in the securities industry for more than 20 years. Finnell has been registered as a Broker with Mwa Financial Services INC. since 2022.
Investors who have suffered losses are encouraged to contact us at (800) 810-4262 for consultation. At Gana Weinstein LLP, our attorneys are experienced representing investors who have suffered securities losses due to the mishandling of their accounts. Claims may be brought in securities arbitration before FINRA. Our consultations are free of charge and the firm is only compensated if you recover.