A National Securities Arbitration & Investment Fraud Law Firm

Articles Posted in Stockbroker Misconduct

|

The SEC today filed a complaint and a request for jury trial involving claims against Knight Nguyen Investments of Katy, Texas, along with: Christopher Lopez, majority owner and “partner” Forrest Jones, investment advisor and “partner” Jayson Lopez, brother of Christopher and “partner” Although Christopher Lopez is not a registered broker, he was previously registered the SEC and the state of Texas for several years. The complaint alleges that Christopher Lopez and Forrest Jones represented themselves and the firm as experts in “low risk alternative investments.” However, the complaint explains, Chris Lopez had no experience with securities prior to founding Knight Nguyen, nor with the so-called “alternative investments.” Additionally, the investments did not meet the firms’ so-called investment “standards.”The SEC today filed a complaint and a request for jury trial involving claims against Knight Nguyen Investments of Katy, Texas, along with:

  • Christopher Lopez, majority owner and “partner”
  • Forrest Jones, investment advisor and “partner”
  • Jayson Lopez, brother of Christopher and “partner”

Continue reading ›

|

Scott Reed (Scott Wayne Reed CRD# 3007033) is a previously registered broker and investment advisor whose most recent employer was First Financial Equity Corporation (CRD#: 16507). Prior to that, Reed spent four years at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#: 19616) in Scottsdale, Arizona. Reed has been in the securities industry since 1999. FINRA And Arizona Corporation Commission Investigate Scott Reed After learning of allegations concerning Reed following his termination from Wells Fargo, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) began an investigation into Reed’s conduct.  Among other things, FINRA made the following findings of fact: Reed solicited individuals to invest in securities issued by a software and web development company based in Pasadena, California; Reed received selling compensation of $191,340 from the company for his role in soliciting and facilitating the investments; and Reed failed to provide Wells Fargo with prior notice or obtain the firm’s advance approval for his participation in these private securities transactions.Scott Reed (Scott Wayne Reed CRD# 3007033) is a previously registered broker and investment advisor whose most recent employer was First Financial Equity Corporation (CRD#: 16507). Prior to that, Reed spent four years at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#: 19616) in Scottsdale, Arizona. Reed has been in the securities industry since 1999. Continue reading ›

|

Megurditch “Mike” Patatian (CRD# 4047060) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose most recent employer was Supreme Alliance LLC (CRD#: 45348). Before that, Patatian spent seven years registered with Western International Securities, Inc. (CRD#: 39262) of Westlake Village, California. Patatian has been working in the industry since 1999. FINRA Department Of Enforcement Filed Disciplinary Proceeding Related To Patatian’s Securities Sales Practices FINRA’s Department of Enforcement filed a Complaint against Patatian on February 26, 2021. In the Complaint, FINRA alleged that from 2013 through 2017, Patatian recommended non-traded real estate investment trusts, or REITs, to dozens of customers. The investments purchased totaled $7.8 million, earning Patation more than $450,000 in commissions. The Complaint also details unsuitable and improper recommendations to surrender and/or switch annuities.Megurditch “Mike” Patatian (CRD# 4047060) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose most recent employer was Supreme Alliance LLC (CRD#: 45348). Before that, Patatian spent seven years registered with Western International Securities, Inc. (CRD#: 39262) of Westlake Village, California. Patatian has been working in the industry since 1999. Continue reading ›

|

Do you have a family member who is also your stockbroker, investment advisor, or other financial services representative? Many broker-dealer firms encourage newly-minted employees to recruit wealthy relatives to invest with them to begin their business and grow their client list. You may have taken the bait and moved your investments over, or may just be considering changing brokers to help them out. There isn’t anything wrong with doing this, of course, it’s your choice. In many ways, you should treat them as you would anyone you’re considering to invest your money, since it is your money that’s on the line. The goal is to ensure that your money will be in safe hands, and handled professionally, family or not.Do you have a family member who is also your stockbroker, investment advisor, or other financial services representative?

Many broker-dealer firms encourage newly-minted employees to recruit wealthy relatives to invest with them to begin their business and grow their client list. You may have taken the bait and moved your investments over, or may just be considering changing brokers to help them out. There isn’t anything wrong with doing this, of course, it’s your choice. Continue reading ›

|

Christopher Black (CRD#5049080, aka Chris Bryan Black) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was LPL Financial LLC (CRD#:6413) of Statesboro, GA. His previous employers are Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#:19616) of St. Simons Island, GA, State Farm V Management Corp. (CRD#:43036) of Bloomington, IL, and Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. (CRD#:6413) of Rome, GA. He has been in the industry since 2006. Christopher Black Disclosures Christopher Black is the subject of five disclosures, beginning with his discharge from LPL Financial on 3/30/2020. In the Form U5 submitted to FINRA on 4/30/2020, LPL stated that the firm terminated Black for entering into a loan agreement with a customer that he failed to disclose to the firm. Following his discharge from LPL, a customer filed a dispute on 4/17/2020 alleging that Black made an “unsuitable recommendation and purchase of bond investments with regard to risk tolerance and investment objective.”  The client requested damages of $72,044.00, and the firm settled the claim for $128,936.70.Christopher Black (CRD#5049080, aka Chris Bryan Black) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was LPL Financial LLC (CRD#:6413) of Statesboro, GA. His previous employers are Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#:19616) of St. Simons Island, GA, State Farm V Management Corp. (CRD#:43036) of Bloomington, IL, and Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. (CRD#:6413) of Rome, GA. He has been in the industry since 2006. Continue reading ›

|

Kevin Schaefer (Kevin Joseph Schaefer CRD:# 1286030) is a registered broke and investment advisor currently employed with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#: 19616) of San Francisco, CA. His previous employers include Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (CRD#:149777) and UBS Financial Services Inc. (CRD#:8174), both of San Francisco, and Smith Barney Shearson Inc. (CRD#:7059) of New York, NY. He has been in the industry since 1984. Schaefer is the subject of two currently pending disputes. The first, filed on 6/12/2020, alleges “unsuitable investment recommendations and misrepresentations.” The client requests damages of $1,000,000. The second, filed on 6/4/2020, alleges “unsuitable investment recommendations, failure to follow instructions and misrepresentations from 2012 until 2020.”  The client requests damages of $300,000. Another previous dispute was settled. Filed 5/27/2008, the client alleges that the shares of stock that were purchased were supposed to be auction rate security bonds. The client requested damages of $5,000. Ultimately, the firm agreed to repurchase the ARS securities pursuant to an agreement with “several regulatory bodies.” Schaefer did not participate in the settlement.Kevin Schaefer (Kevin Joseph Schaefer CRD:# 1286030) is a registered broke and investment advisor currently employed with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#: 19616) of San Francisco, CA. His previous employers include Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (CRD#:149777) and UBS Financial Services Inc. (CRD#:8174), both of San Francisco, and Smith Barney Shearson Inc. (CRD#:7059) of New York, NY. He has been in the industry since 1984. Continue reading ›

|

Edward Dougherty (Edward Howard Dougherty/Ted Dougherty CRD# 2753847) is a registered broker and previously registered investment adviser currently registered with Woodbury Financial Services, In. in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Woodbury Financial has recently been the subject of arbitration claims alleging the unsuitable recommendation to purchase GPB Automotive and related investments. Edward Dougherty Disclosures Edward Dougherty has 4 disclosures on his publicly-available FINRA BrokerCheck report, including 2 financial, 1 employment separation after allegations, and 1 customer dispute:Edward Dougherty (Edward Howard Dougherty/Ted Dougherty CRD# 2753847) is a registered broker and previously registered investment adviser currently registered with Woodbury Financial Services, In. in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Woodbury Financial has recently been the subject of arbitration claims alleging the unsuitable recommendation to purchase GPB Automotive and related investments. Continue reading ›

|

The US Justice Department today announced the conviction and sentencing of two former employees of SunTrust Bank who pled guilty to financial exploitation of an elderly person. Former SunTrust bankers Rashad Liverpool, 28, and Robert Tillery, 45, were each sentenced on March 5 after conviction of financial exploitation of an elderly person, in violation of Title 22, D.C. Code, Section 933.01(a)(3). The victim, a 72-year old military widow and bank client, had diminished capacities. During the summer of 2018, both Liverpool and Tillery paid frequent visits to the victim after normal business hours. This was a clear violation of SunBank’s policies. Elder financial abuse is on the rise. Florida is home to many seniors and others on a fixed income. Stockbrokers, financial advisors and other professionals frequently have insight into their clients financials and earn their trust. However, a fiduciary should never borrow, take or steal money from their clients. Our attorneys represent investors whose funds are improperly taken by their advisors or are the victim of financial elder abuse.The US Justice Department today announced the conviction and sentencing of two former employees of SunTrust Bank who pled guilty to financial exploitation of an elderly person.

Former SunTrust bankers Rashad Liverpool, 28, and Robert Tillery, 45, were each sentenced on March 5 after conviction of financial exploitation of an elderly person, in violation of Title 22, D.C. Code, Section 933.01(a)(3). Continue reading ›

Contact Information
Main Office
11780 W Sample Rd
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Phone: (954) 755-4799Fax: (954) 755-4684
New York Office
229 W 36th St 8th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Phone: (212) 377-5227
Florida Office
4755 Technology Way #205
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: (561) 665-8613
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING

Visit our Florida Securities Whistleblower Website

We serve clients nationwide including, but not limited to, those in the following localities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas–Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Bernardino-Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa–St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C. View More

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2025, Silver Law Group
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design