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Articles Posted in Investment Fraud

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On November 12, 2019, Scott Silver of the Silver Law Group and co-counsel filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Florida against Phillip Timothy Howard (Tim Howard), a Tallahassee, Florida attorney and investment fund manager, based on claims that Howard defrauded an investor of more than a half-million dollars as part of a real estate fraud scheme. The suit alleges (1) violation of the federal civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO); (2) fraud in the inducement; (3) breach of fiduciary duty; (4) negligent misrepresentation; and (5) unjust enrichment.On November 12, 2019, Scott Silver of the Silver Law Group and co-counsel filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Florida against Phillip Timothy Howard (Tim Howard), a Tallahassee, Florida attorney and investment fund manager, based on claims that Howard defrauded an investor of more than a half-million dollars as part of a real estate fraud scheme.

The suit alleges (1) violation of the federal civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO); (2) fraud in the inducement; (3) breach of fiduciary duty; (4) negligent misrepresentation; and (5) unjust enrichment. Continue reading

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Silver Law Group’s managing partner Scott Silver was interviewed for and gave a quote to The New York Times for an article on Ponzi schemes. Scott Silver is a leading investment fraud attorney recognized as being one of the best lawyers for victims of stockbroker misconduct. Scott is a frequent speaker and author on securities arbitration and is the chair of the securities and financial fraud group of the American Association for Justice. The article examines the new tactics used by perpetrators of Ponzi schemes in the years since Bernie Madoff was caught running the largest Ponzi scheme ever in 2008.Silver Law Group’s managing partner Scott Silver was interviewed for and gave a quote to The New York Times for an article on Ponzi schemes.

Scott Silver is a leading investment fraud attorney recognized as being one of the best lawyers for victims of stockbroker misconduct. Scott is a frequent speaker and author on securities arbitration and is the chair of the securities and financial fraud group of the American Association for Justice.

The article examines the new tactics used by perpetrators of Ponzi schemes in the years since Bernie Madoff was caught running the largest Ponzi scheme ever in 2008. Continue reading

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Registered Investment Advisor McDermott Investment Advisors (MIA) and its founder Dean Patrick McDermott are the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly “double dipping” on fees by investing clients in securities that paid fees to an affiliated broker-dealer, rather than a cheaper alternative. Clients Charged Unnecessary Transaction Fees The lawsuit alleges that McDermott and MIA put over $5.7 million of its client’s assets into unit investment trusts (UITs) that charged a transaction fee, most of which was paid to a broker-dealer that was owned by McDermott, rather than a UIT with no transaction fee.Registered Investment Advisor McDermott Investment Advisors (MIA) and its founder Dean Patrick McDermott are the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly “double dipping” on fees by investing clients in securities that paid fees to an affiliated broker-dealer, rather than a cheaper alternative.

Clients Charged Unnecessary Transaction Fees

The lawsuit alleges that McDermott and MIA put over $5.7 million of its client’s assets into unit investment trusts (UITs) that charged a transaction fee, most of which was paid to a broker-dealer that was owned by McDermott, rather than a UIT with no transaction fee. Continue reading

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CannTrust (CTST), a publicly-traded producer of medical and recreational cannabis in Canada, is the subject of a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of shareholders who lost money investing in the company. On July 8, 2019, news broke that CannTrust was growing cannabis in a greenhouse in Pelham, Ontario where regulatory approval was still pending. Holds were placed on the company’s inventory, and CannTrust says this will cause a product shortage. Analysts downgraded the stock.CannTrust (CTST), a publicly-traded producer of medical and recreational cannabis in Canada, is the subject of a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of shareholders who lost money investing in the company.

On July 8, 2019, news broke that CannTrust was growing cannabis in a greenhouse in Pelham, Ontario where regulatory approval was still pending. Holds were placed on the company’s inventory, and CannTrust says this will cause a product shortage. Analysts downgraded the stock. Continue reading

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GPB Capital raised over 1.5 billion dollars primarily from mom and pop investors over the last four years. How was GPB they able to raise this money? By paying small and regional brokerage firms over nine (9) percent of the money raised back to the selling broker-dealers.Last week, GPB announced that many of their funds are down 40% or more in value. In hopes of offering their clients some solace, GPB highlighted that it had already made distributions to investors of about 15% of the investors’ capital. However, many investors were shocked to learn that these distributions were not from earnings or profits but an actual return of the money they had previously invested.  In other words, GPB wants to be applauded for returning to investors at least some of their money.GPB Capital raised over 1.5 billion dollars primarily from mom and pop investors over the last four years. How was GPB they able to raise this money? By paying small and regional brokerage firms over nine (9) percent of the money raised back to the selling broker-dealers.

Last week, GPB announced that many of their funds are down 40% or more in value. In hopes of offering their clients some solace, GPB highlighted that it had already made distributions to investors of about 15% of the investors’ capital. However, many investors were shocked to learn that these distributions were not from earnings or profits but an actual return of the money they had previously invested. In other words, GPB wants to be applauded for returning to investors at least some of their money. Continue reading

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Edward Earl Matthes (CRD#: 2788055) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was Mutual Of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. (CRD#:611) of Oconomowoc, WI. His previous employers include Thrivent Investment Management Inc. (CRD#:18387), also of Oconomowoc and Minneapolis, and MML Investors Services, INC. (CRD#:10409), of Chesterfield, MO. No current employment information is available. He has been in the business since 1996.Mutual of Omaha discharged Matthes on 3/12/2019, after allegations surfaced that he “created fictitious account statements and diverting customer funds for his own personal use.”  On 3/15/2019, The FBI began an investigation into the allegations of Matthes’ misappropriation of client funds. No additional information is yet available from the FBI.Edward Earl Matthes (CRD#: 2788055) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was Mutual Of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. (CRD#:611) of Oconomowoc, WI. His previous employers include Thrivent Investment Management Inc. (CRD#:18387), also of Oconomowoc and Minneapolis, and MML Investors Services, INC. (CRD#:10409), of Chesterfield, MO. No current employment information is available. He has been in the business since 1996. Continue reading

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Diamonds may still be a “girl’s best friend,” but for 300 or more investors in the US and Canada, they were allegedly used to defraud investors. This week, the SEC obtained a court order to shut down a Ponzi scheme run by South Florida-based owner Jose Angel Aman, and his company, Argyle Coin for allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme. Silver Law Group represents investors in this diamond Ponzi scheme.Using the classic model of collecting money and paying dividends to investors with money from new investors, Aman allegedly diverted much of the collected monies to himself for personal use. The Argyle scheme is tied into two other companies he owns, Natural Diamonds Investment Co., and Eagle Financial Diamond Group Inc. Harold Seigel and Jonathan H. Seigel, two stakeholders in these companies, worked with Aman to perpetuate and continue the scheme. All of the defendants reside in South Florida.Diamonds may still be a “girl’s best friend,” but for 300 or more investors in the US and Canada, they were allegedly used to defraud investors. This week, the SEC obtained a court order to shut down a Ponzi scheme run by South Florida-based owner Jose Angel Aman, and his company, Argyle Coin for allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme. Silver Law Group represents investors in this diamond Ponzi scheme. Continue reading

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Silver Law Group is investigating former Salinas, California-based, Independent Financial Group broker David Marshall after some customers have come forward alleging he recommended his customers invest with unregistered brokers. According to Marshall’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, Marshall was registered with Independent Financial Group at its Salinas, California branch from July 2015 to October 2017 and is now unregistered. Marshall ran his brokerage business through his own company, Marshall Wealth Management, according to his detailed CRD report. Marshall Wealth Management was also a registered investment adviser.Silver Law Group is investigating former Salinas, California-based, Independent Financial Group broker David Marshall after some customers have come forward alleging he recommended his customers invest with unregistered brokers.

According to Marshall’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, Marshall was registered with Independent Financial Group at its Salinas, California branch from July 2015 to October 2017 and is now unregistered. Marshall ran his brokerage business through his own company, Marshall Wealth Management, according to his detailed CRD report. Marshall Wealth Management was also a registered investment adviser. Continue reading

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On February 26, 2019, the SEC announced charges and an asset freeze against the people behind a South Florida investment scheme. One of the people behind the scheme has a felony conviction, was in prison for 20 years, and is now out on parole. Castleberry Financial Services Group LLC, managed by T. Jonathon Turner and CEO Normal Strell, has allegedly taken approximately $3.6 million from investors over the past year. The SEC filed an emergency action against them in district court, stating that Castleberry lied to its investors, claiming that it had hundreds of millions of dollars of capital invested in various businesses. The company also claimed that it had ties with CNA Financial Corp. and Chubb Group. Castleberry claimed that any investments would be protected and insured by those companies, which the SEC alleges is untrue.On February 26, 2019, the SEC announced charges and an asset freeze against the people behind a South Florida investment scheme. One of the people behind the scheme has a felony conviction, was in prison for 20 years, and is now out on parole.

Castleberry Financial Services Group LLC, managed by T. Jonathon Turner and CEO Normal Strell, has allegedly taken approximately $3.6 million from investors over the past year. The SEC filed an emergency action against them in district court, stating that Castleberry lied to its investors, claiming that it had hundreds of millions of dollars of capital invested in various businesses. The company also claimed that it had ties with CNA Financial Corp. and Chubb Group. Castleberry claimed that any investments would be protected and insured by those companies, which the SEC alleges is untrue. Continue reading

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John L. Perry and Robin Johnson are two former financial advisors for Wells Fargo that have brought a complaint against the company. After news broke of Wells Fargo’s extensive misconduct, their partnership with Wells Fargo lost half its business, and suffered significant damage. (A timeline of Wells Fargo’s actions since 2016 is available here, including over 3.5 million fake accounts and extensive over-charging of clients.)It’s one thing when a company terminates your employment. It’s another thing when the company causes you to lose business.

John L. Perry and Robin Johnson are two former financial advisors for Wells Fargo that have brought a complaint against the company. After news broke of Wells Fargo’s extensive misconduct, their partnership with Wells Fargo lost half its business, and suffered significant damage. (A timeline of Wells Fargo’s actions since 2016 is available here, including over 3.5 million fake accounts and extensive over-charging of clients.) Continue reading

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