Securities Lawyers Blog
The law offices of Gana Weinstein LLP are currently investigating claims that Broker Timothy Darnell (Darnell) 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 Darnell was employed by Bankers Life Securities, INC. at the time of the activity. If you have been a victim of Darnell’s alleged misconduct our firm may be able to assist you in recovering funds.
FINRA BrokerCheck shows a pending customer complaint with a damage request of $350,000.00 on October 24, 2025.
The arbitration alleges the RR made unsuitable recommendations, alleges breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, misrepresentation, and selling away related to an alleged Ponzi scheme with First Liberty Building & Loan, LLC
Our firm is highly experienced in pursuing cases for defrauded clients whose advisors accept client loans or sell securities through OBAs. In the financial industry, “selling away” refers to the sale of unapproved investment products, fake schemes that conceal stolen funds, and other fraudulent activities, representing a significant violation of securities regulations. The term “selling away” in the industry refers to financial advisors promoting investments in businesses, promissory notes, or securities that their affiliated brokerage firm has not approved. In some cases, these investments are legitimate, but more often than not, they result in Ponzi schemes or financial advisors converting funds for personal use.
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. In order to properly supervise their brokers each firm is required to have procedures in order to monitor the activities of each advisor’s activities and interaction 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.
Darnell has been in the securities industry for more than 9 years. Darnell has been registered as a Broker with Bankers Life Securities, INC. since 2016.
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.