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Articles Posted in Stockbroker Misconduct

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Forrest Jones (Forrest Andrew Jones, CRD# 4880765) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD#:7691) of Conroe, TX. His previous employers include Fortune Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:42150) of Montgomery, TX, McNally Financial Services Corporation (CRD#:121196) of The Woodlands, TX, and MetLife Securities Inc. (CRD#:14251) of Houston, TX. He has been in the industry since 2005. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) began an investigation into Jones’ business practices on 6/24/2020. The agency began investigating these allegations involving omission and misrepresentations in the offerings of private placements, including promissory notes. On 5/13/21, the SEC then filed its complaint against Jones, along with Knight Nguyen Investments, Christopher Knight Lopez and his brother, Jayson Lopez after raising at least $3.7 million from retail investors and advisory clients in at least five fraudulent securities offerings. Many of the investors were older and inexperienced. Jones and the Lopez brothers promised them solid investments with guaranteed high returns. However, the company, Jones, and the Lopez brothers recommended to and sold the investors very high-risk products that failed to meet the firm’s own criteria for investments. Furthermore, these investments were owned, controlled and/or associated with the Lopez brothers, who made multiple omissions and misstatements about the potential for the investments. The Lopez brothers also misappropriated and misused some of the investor funds and produced falsified financial statements for the defrauded investors, according to the SEC.

Forrest Jones (Forrest Andrew Jones, CRD# 4880765) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD#:7691) of Conroe, TX. His previous employers include Fortune Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:42150) of Montgomery, TX, McNally Financial Services Corporation (CRD#:121196) of The Woodlands, TX, and MetLife Securities Inc. (CRD#:14251) of Houston, TX. He has been in the industry since 2005. Continue reading ›

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Michael Pina (Michael Kris Pina CRD#: 5922058) is a former registered broker whose last known employer was PFS Investments Inc. (CRD#:10111) of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has been in the industry since 2011, and began working with PFS in 2013. A client filed a dispute on 2/4/2019 alleging that she gave Pina a check for $20,000, under the impression that it was to be invested. The firm settled for the damages requested, which was $20,000. On 3/7/2019, PFS Investments allowed Pina to resign after he admitted borrowing $20,000 from a client. The firm terminated his registration in a Form U5 filed with FINRA, disclosing the circumstances of his termination. Based on the Form U5, FIRNA began its investigation.Michael Pina (Michael Kris Pina CRD#: 5922058) is a former registered broker whose last known employer was PFS Investments Inc. (CRD#:10111) of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has been in the industry since 2011, and began working with PFS in 2013.

A client filed a dispute on 2/4/2019 alleging that she gave Pina a check for $20,000, under the impression that it was to be invested. The firm settled for the damages requested, which was $20,000. Continue reading ›

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Roger Duval (Roger Allen Duval CRD#: 2503718) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Pruco Securities, LLC. (CRD#:5685) of Bellevue, WA.  His previous employers include MML Investors Services, LLC (CRD#:10409) and MSI Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:14251) both of Spokane, WA, and Allstate Financial Services, LLC (CRD#:18272) of Liberty Lake, WA.  He has been in the industry since 1994. Duval is the subject of nine disclosures. A recent client dispute filed on 9/11/2020 alleges that Duval borrowed an unspecified amount of money in March of 2018, and has failed to pay it back. Beginning in January of 2019, Duval made “unspecified unsuitable recommendations,” and began making unauthorized transfers away from the firm without the knowledge and consent of the client. This case is currently “pending,” and no requested damages are noted. On 3/2/2020, a different client dispute alleges that Duval misappropriated funds, and failed to fully disclose facts regarding the client’s investment objective. This claim was denied. No further information is available.Roger Duval (Roger Allen Duval CRD#: 2503718) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Pruco Securities, LLC. (CRD#:5685) of Bellevue, WA.  His previous employers include MML Investors Services, LLC (CRD#:10409) and MSI Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:14251) both of Spokane, WA, and Allstate Financial Services, LLC (CRD#:18272) of Liberty Lake, WA.  He has been in the industry since 1994. Continue reading ›

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Peter Ianace (Peter Vincent Ianace CRD#: 3238078) is a formerly registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Plano, TX. His previous employers include Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD#:7691) of Frisco, TX, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (CRD#:149777) and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (CRD#:8209), both of Plano, TX. He has been in the industry since 1999. Ianace is the subject of two current customer disputes, filed on 8/7/2020 and 8/24/2020, with similar allegations of unsuitable recommendations. One client also alleges that Ianace “neglected to reduce the over-concentrated and over-leveraged nature of their accounts.” Both disputes are currently listed as “pending.” FINRA began an investigation into Ianace’s business activities outside of his firm after he failed to report them. Ianace initially cooperated with the investigation, but stopped in August of 2020. After declaring to FINRA staff that he would not provide any further assistance or documentation, FINRA issued an Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (AWC) which Ianace signed.Peter Ianace (Peter Vincent Ianace CRD#: 3238078) is a formerly registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Plano, TX. His previous employers include Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD#:7691) of Frisco, TX, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (CRD#:149777) and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (CRD#:8209), both of Plano, TX. He has been in the industry since 1999. Continue reading ›

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Michael Martino (Michael Christopher Martino CRD#: 2579146) is a currently registered broker with Four Points Capital Partners LLC (CRD#: 43149) of New York, NY. His previous employers include Wedbush Securities Inc. (CRD#:877) of Tarrytown, NY, Brookstreet Securities Corporation (CRD#:14667) of White Plains, NY, and Emerson Bennett & Associates (CRD#:36171, expelled by FINRA in 2002) of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has been in the industry since 1995. Michael Martino is the subject of eight disclosures, three of which are current customer disputes. The most recent dispute was filed on 6/26/2020, with allegations that indicate “between 2014-2017, reps provided unsuitable recommendations with unsuitable concentrations, with unreasonable commissions and failure to know their customer.”  The client requests damages of $543,163.00. Martino denies the allegations, calling them “baseless.”Michael Martino (Michael Christopher Martino CRD#: 2579146) is a currently registered broker with Four Points Capital Partners LLC (CRD#: 43149) of New York, NY. His previous employers include Wedbush Securities Inc. (CRD#:877) of Tarrytown, NY, Brookstreet Securities Corporation (CRD#:14667) of White Plains, NY, and Emerson Bennett & Associates (CRD#:36171, expelled by FINRA in 2002) of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has been in the industry since 1995. Continue reading ›

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Broker Matthew Platnico (Matthew Eric Platnico CRD:#2102086) is a registered broker and investment advisor currently employed with Allied Millennial Partners, LLC (CRD#: 16569) of New York, NY. As an investment advisor he is registered with Millennial Advisers, LLC. (CRD#:170847), also of New York City. His previous employers include Arete Wealth Management, LLC (CRD#:44856), Oppenheimer & Co. INC. (CRD#:249), also of New York City, and Advest, Inc. (CRD#:10), of Hartford, CT. He has been in the industry since 1991. A client filed a dispute on 7/15/2020, alleging that Platnico representative engaged in unsuitable and unauthorized options trading in Claimant's account. The client requests damages of $1,460,000.00. The case is currently “pending.”Broker Matthew Platnico (Matthew Eric Platnico CRD:#2102086) is a registered broker and investment advisor currently employed with Allied Millennial Partners, LLC (CRD#: 16569) of New York, NY. As an investment advisor he is registered with Millennial Advisers, LLC. (CRD#:170847), also of New York City. Continue reading ›

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Investors in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) are beginning to realize that their investments in the companies’ products are unlikely to deliver as promised by their financial advisers. Northstar is now in bankruptcy and investors are expected to lose a substantial percentage of their principal. Unfortunately, Northstar—which invested in insurance and investment products—has suspended monthly income payments, is unable to honor liquidation and surrender requests, and may never be in a financial position to return investors’ principal funds. Northstar utlitzed brokerage firms throughout the US to market and sell its products.  Among others, brokers at SunTrust Investment Services, Ocean Financial Services, LLC, and Bankoh Investment Services, Inc. were recommending Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) investments. Investors have alleged that brokers were pitching Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) investments as conservative investments that were similar to bank CDs.  Allegations include promises of guaranteed monthly income and no risk of loss of principal.Investors in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) are beginning to realize that their investments in the companies’ products are unlikely to deliver as promised by their financial advisers. Northstar is now in bankruptcy and investors are expected to lose a substantial percentage of their principal. Continue reading ›

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Silver Law GroupSilver Law Group is speaking with investors who have suffered losses investing in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) after their SunTrust brokers recommended the investment.  Since purchasing Northstar Financial Services investments, investors have experienced suspended monthly income payments, illiquidity and inability to surrender policies, and have lost virtually the entirety of their investments due to Northstar Financial Services’ recent collapse. Investors have alleged that their SunTrust financial advisors pitched Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) as a safe, stable investment product comparable to a bank CD.  Allegations include that SunTrust financial advisors promised guaranteed monthly returns as well as protection of principal.  Unfortunately, this did not pan out to be true, as Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) is on the verge of insolvency, and its owner, Greg Lindberg, has been convicted of fraud and bribery. What Is Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) Ltd.? Northstar Financial Services offers investment and annuity products.  The company is based in Bermuda and purports to offer various benefits, including tax shelters, not available for US-based investments.  Northstar Financial Services offers a wide range of fixed-rate and variable-rate investment, insurance, and/or annuity products, including, but not limited to: Global Interest Accumulator Global Advantage Plus Series Global Advantage Select Global VIP Elite Global Index Product is speaking with investors who have suffered losses investing in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) after their SunTrust brokers recommended the investment. Since purchasing Northstar investments, investors have experienced suspended monthly income payments, illiquidity and inability to surrender policies, and have lost virtually the entirety of their investments due to Northstar Financial Services’ recent collapse. Continue reading ›

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William Friedman (William Sidney Friedman CRD#: 2475502) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Pinnacle Investments, LLC (CRD#:142910) of Boca Raton, FL. His previous employers include Woodstock Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:38095), Newbridge Securities Corporation (CRD#:104065), and Brookstreet Securities Corporation (CRD#:14667), all of Boca Raton. He has been in the industry since 1994. Friedman is the subject of four disclosures, two of which are customer disputes. The most recent client dispute was filed on 11/20/2015, alleging that Friedman “pursued an inappropriate equity trading strategy which resulted in losses on the account. Client also indicated the rep exercised discretion over the account, breached his fiduciary responsibilities and suitability obligations.” The client requested damages of $50,000, and the firm settled the claim for $10,000. An additional note indicates that the original written complaint was denied earlier in the year, and became an arbitration case.William Friedman (William Sidney Friedman CRD#: 2475502) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Pinnacle Investments, LLC (CRD#:142910) of Boca Raton, FL. His previous employers include Woodstock Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:38095), Newbridge Securities Corporation (CRD#:104065), and Brookstreet Securities Corporation (CRD#:14667), all of Boca Raton. He has been in the industry since 1994. Continue reading ›

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Scott Silver was interviewed in a recent InvestmentNews article about Silver Law Group’s FINRA arbitration claims against the broker dealers who sold GPB Capital private placements to investors. GPB Capital Holdings is a New York-based alternative asset management firm that raised $1.8 billion since it was founded in 2013 by Scientologist David Gentile. GPB used nearly 60 broker dealers across the country to sell private placements to individual investors. The alternative asset manager used the money to invest in companies such as auto dealerships and waste management businesses. Investors were sold GPB believing that they would earn a healthy return on their investment, but GPB hasn’t paid distributions to investors since 2018. GPB is the subject of multiple government investigations and enforcement actions and has been sued by investors and accused of being a Ponzi scheme. GPB’s chief compliance officer was criminally indicted for obstruction of justice. In 2019, GPB reported that the values of its funds are down significantly, but because of its illiquidity, investors are stuck holding the investment and risking a further decline in its value.Scott Silver was interviewed in a recent InvestmentNews article about Silver Law Group’s FINRA arbitration claims against the broker dealers who sold GPB Capital private placements to investors.

GPB Capital Holdings is a New York-based alternative asset management firm that raised $1.8 billion since it was founded in 2013 by Scientologist David Gentile. GPB used nearly 60 broker dealers across the country to sell private placements to individual investors. The alternative asset manager used the money to invest in companies such as auto dealerships and waste management businesses. Continue reading ›

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