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Articles Posted in Misappropriation

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Ronald Molo (Ronald Terrence Molo CRD# 4371241) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was Edward Jones (CRD#:250) of Joliet, IL. He began working for Edward Jones on 05/15/2001. The firm terminated him on 06/15/2021 and has no other employment in the industry. Following Molo’s termination, three customers filed disputes on 6/16/2021, 6/18/2021, and 6/22/2021 with identical allegations of “former FA stole funds from them by wiring client funds to a bank account controlled by former FA's spouse under the guise that they were making an investment.” It is not known if these were all filed by the same client or three different clients.Ronald Molo (Ronald Terrence Molo CRD# 4371241) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was Edward Jones (CRD#:250) of Joliet, IL. He began working for Edward Jones on 05/15/2001. The firm terminated him on 06/15/2021 and has no other employment in the industry. Continue reading ›

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Kenneth Welsh (Kenneth Andrews Welsh CRD:# 4657872) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Fairfield, New Jersey. Previously, he was employed with three divisions of Smith Barney (CRD#: 149777, 8209, and 7556), also of Fairfield. He has been in the industry since 2004. On October 28, 2021, The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Welsh with misappropriation of $2.86 million from client accounts. Many of these clients were elderly investors, described by the SEC as “financially unsophisticated.” Prior to any transfer, the complaint alleges, Welsh circumvented the firm’s policies to carry them out. He also sold and traded in the customer accounts to ensure available cash for his unauthorized activity. Welsh made these sales within days of the illicit transfers.Kenneth Welsh (Kenneth Andrews Welsh CRD:# 4657872) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Fairfield, New Jersey. Previously, he was employed with three divisions of Smith Barney (CRD#: 149777, 8209, and 7556), also of Fairfield. He has been in the industry since 2004. Continue reading ›

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David Volpe (David John Volpe CRD# 2543478) is a former registered broker who has previously worked for First Financial Equity Corporation, LPL Financial LLC, and National Planning Corporation, all in Scottsdale, Arizona. Volpe began his career in the securities industry in 1996. David Volpe Discharged From Firms For Improper Private Transactions & Borrowing From Customers According to Volpe’s BrokerCheck Report, published by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Volpe has been discharged from two different brokerage firms: In December 2018, Volpe was discharged from LPL for an alleged “violation of the Firm’s private securities transactions policy for involvement in capital-raising efforts without prior disclosure.” Similarly, in April 2019, Volpe was discharged from First Financial for an alleged “failure to notify firm of private securities transaction involvement and violation of firm policy regarding borrowing funds from a client.” Following these discharges, Volpe was investigated FINRA. According to FINRA’s Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent, Volpe failed to respond to FINRA’s request for information and documents, resulting in “a bar from associating with any FINRA member firm in any capacity.”David Volpe (David John Volpe CRD# 2543478) is a former registered broker who has previously worked for First Financial Equity Corporation, LPL Financial LLC, and National Planning Corporation, all in Scottsdale, Arizona. Volpe began his career in the securities industry in 1996. Continue reading ›

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Raymond Ferro (Raymond Anthony Ferro, Jr. CRD#: 1927831) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:421) of Danbury, CT. His previous employers include Next Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:46214) and LPL Financial Corporation (CRD#:6413), also of Danbury, CT, and Wachovia Securities, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Ossining, NY. He has been in the industry since 1997. Ferro is the subject of six disclosures, including a 2014 tax lien of $15,205.26. The most recent is a client dispute filed on 12/7/2020. The claimants allege that Ferro sold them unsuitable investment products, and they request damages of $600,000. This claim is pending. The next client dispute was filed on 10/26/2020. The client alleges that she gave Ferro a total of 28 personal checks for funds that were intended to be used for “unspecified investments.” The client requests damages in the amount of $140,852.00, and the claim is pending.Raymond Ferro (Raymond Anthony Ferro, Jr. CRD#: 1927831) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:421) of Danbury, CT. His previous employers include Next Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:46214) and LPL Financial Corporation (CRD#:6413), also of Danbury, CT, and Wachovia Securities, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Ossining, NY. He has been in the industry since 1997. Continue reading ›

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Edward Matthes (Edward Earl Matthes CRD:# 2788055, aka “Ed Matthes”) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Mutual Of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. (CRD#:611) of Oconomowoc, WI. Previous employers include Thrivent Investment Management Inc. (CRD#:18387), also of Oconomowoc, MML Investors Services, Inc. (CRD#:10409) of Chesterfield, MO, and Thrivent Investment Management Inc. (CRD#:18387) of Minneapolis, MN. He has been in the industry since 1996. Matthes is the subject of 25 disclosures dating back to 2005. The most recent disclosures leading to charges began on 3/12/2019 after he was dismissed from Mutual of Omaha. The firm alleged that he created fictitious account statements for clients and deposited client money into his own bank accounts. The FBI began an investigation three days after Matthes’ termination, on 3/15/2019.Edward Matthes (Edward Earl Matthes CRD:# 2788055, aka “Ed Matthes”) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Mutual Of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. (CRD#:611) of Oconomowoc, WI. Previous employers include Thrivent Investment Management Inc. (CRD#:18387), also of Oconomowoc, MML Investors Services, Inc. (CRD#:10409) of Chesterfield, MO, and Thrivent Investment Management Inc. (CRD#:18387) of Minneapolis, MN. He has been in the industry since 1996. Continue reading ›

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Apostolos Pitsironis (CRD#: 2804907) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (CRD#:463) of Montgomery, NY. Previous employers include Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Hauppage, NY, RBC Capital Markets, LLC (CRD#:31194) if Jericho, NY, and Morgan Stanley DW INC. (CRD#:7556) of Purchase, NY. He has been in the industry since 1999.Apostolos Pitsironis (CRD#: 2804907) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (CRD#:463) of Montgomery, NY. Previous employers include Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Hauppage, NY, RBC Capital Markets, LLC (CRD#:31194) if Jericho, NY, and Morgan Stanley DW INC. (CRD#:7556) of Purchase, NY. He has been in the industry since 1999. Continue reading ›

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George Schmidt, Jr. is a barred broker who was last registered with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation in Melville, NY. In February, 2020 Schmidt was terminated after an allegation of misappropriation. After that, he was barred from associating with any FINRA member. Silver Law Group represents investors in cases of stockbroker misconduct, including misappropriation. If you have investment losses, contact Scott Silver for a consultation at ssilver@silverlaw.com or (800) 975-4345. George Schmidt, Jr. is a barred broker who was last registered with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation in Melville, NY. In February, 2020 Schmidt was terminated after an allegation of misappropriation. After that, he was barred from associating with any FINRA member.

Silver Law Group represents investors in cases of stockbroker misconduct, including misappropriation. If you have investment losses, contact Scott Silver for a consultation at ssilver@silverlaw.com or (800) 975-4345. 

Before joining Lincoln Financial (CRD# 3978) in 2012, Schmidt was registered with Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc. (CRD# 4031), 1717 Capital Management Company (CRD# 4082), AXA Advisors, LLC (CRD# 6627), and The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (CRD# 1039). Continue reading ›

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Stockbrokers should not borrow money from their clients. That’s according to FINRA Rule 3240, which states that unless the stockbroker is an immediate family member or their firm has specific written procedures about borrowing and lending, then borrowing from a customer constitutes a violation. Silver Law Group helps investors recover money lost to stockbroker misconduct and elder financial fraud. Contact us today for a no-cost, confidential consultation at 1-800-975-4345.   Although prohibited, stockbrokers do still borrow and misappropriate from their customers. Sometimes it is from an older client who does not understand what is happening or cannot consent, which can be considered elder financial fraud.Stockbrokers should not borrow money from their clients. That’s according to FINRA Rule 3240, which states that unless the stockbroker is an immediate family member or their firm has specific written procedures about borrowing and lending, then borrowing from a customer constitutes a violation.

Silver Law Group helps investors recover money lost to stockbroker misconduct and elder financial fraud. Contact us today for a no-cost, confidential consultation at 1-800-975-4345.  

Although prohibited, stockbrokers do still borrow and misappropriate from their customers. Sometimes it is from an older client who does not understand what is happening or cannot consent, which can be considered elder financial fraud. Continue reading ›

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In the wake of recent market turbulence, it is important to remember that some investment losses are not “investment” losses at all, but rather losses that are the result of stockbroker theft, fraud, Ponzi schemes, and otherwise. Silver Law Group continues to investigate cases of stockbroker theft nationwide. Unfortunately, FINRA continues to report multiple cases of brokers improperly taking money from clients, taking improper loans or deceptively selling investments directly controlled by a stockbroker or financial advisor.In the wake of recent market turbulence, it is important to remember that some investment losses are not “investment” losses at all, but rather losses that are the result of stockbroker theft, fraud, Ponzi schemes, and otherwise.

Silver Law Group continues to investigate cases of stockbroker theft nationwide. Unfortunately, FINRA continues to report multiple cases of brokers improperly taking money from clients, taking improper loans or deceptively selling investments directly controlled by a stockbroker or financial advisor. Continue reading ›

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