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Articles Posted in Stockbroker Misconduct

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When you’re considering working with a financial professional, how do you pick the right person? Do you choose someone with an impressive-sounding title/designation that makes it seem like they have expertise helping people just like you, such as “senior specialist” if you’re a senior citizen?While a designation like that might inspire confidence, before you work with anyone, you may be surprised to learn what really goes into getting these designations. It might not mean what you think it means.

When you’re considering working with a financial professional, how do you pick the right person? Do you choose someone with an impressive-sounding title/designation that makes it seem like they have expertise helping people just like you, such as “senior specialist” if you’re a senior citizen?

While a designation like that might inspire confidence, before you work with anyone, you may be surprised to learn what really goes into getting these designations. It might not mean what you think it means. Continue reading ›

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The Massachusetts Securities Division has charged former investment adviser, Bruce Colin Worthington, with allegedly withdrawing $100,000 from a client's bank account.Worthington has been charged with fraudulently misappropriating the investment funds of a retiree and using the money for personal use. He was affiliated with Founders Financial Securities for about five years, and before that, he was with Commonwealth Financial Network.The Massachusetts Securities Division has charged former investment adviser, Bruce Colin Worthington, with allegedly withdrawing $100,000 from a client’s bank account.

Worthington has been charged with fraudulently misappropriating the investment funds of a retiree and using the money for personal use. He was affiliated with Founders Financial Securities for about five years, and before that, he was with Commonwealth Financial Network. Continue reading ›

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Barred advisor Aaron Parthemer, who had a practice in Florida that catered to NFL and NBA players, invested some of his clients' money in a Miami Beach nightclub that he partially owned. He also engaged in other activities that ultimately caught the attention of regulators. According to FINRA disciplinary records, he owned a tequila promotion business and sent gift baskets of the liquor to NFL and NBA teams. In 2015, FINRA barred Parthemer for engaging in outside business activities without firm approval. He allegedly loaned his clients $399,000 against firm policy, convinced eight clients to invest $3 million in private securities transactions, and provided false information to his employers and FINRA. Last year, the SEC penalized him $160,000.This is the latest case related to the conduct of barred advisor Aaron Parthemer, who had a practice in Florida that catered to NFL and NBA players.

Parthemer invested some of his clients’ money in a Miami Beach nightclub that he partially owned. He also engaged in other activities that ultimately caught the attention of regulators. According to FINRA disciplinary records, he owned a tequila promotion business and sent gift baskets of the liquor to NFL and NBA teams. Continue reading ›

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FINRA has alleged that in 2011 and 2012, Ami Forte engaged in unsuitable trading with the account of a client who was very near death. With this account, Forte generated more than $9 million in commissions in less than a year. In 2016, Forte was fired by Morgan Stanley after the estate of Roy M. Speer, co-founder of the Home Shopping Network, sued Morgan Stanley for $40 million. In March 2016, a FINRA panel gave more than $34 million to the Speer estate for its claim against Morgan Stanley.FINRA has alleged that in 2011 and 2012, Ami Forte engaged in unsuitable trading with the account of a client who was very near death. With this account, Forte generated more than $9 million in commissions in less than a year. In 2016, Forte was fired by Morgan Stanley after the estate of Roy M. Speer, co-founder of the Home Shopping Network, sued Morgan Stanley for $40 million.

In March 2016, a FINRA panel gave more than $34 million to the Speer estate for its claim against Morgan Stanley. Continue reading ›

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Christopher Duke Bennet (CRD#: 2510231) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC (CRD#:453) of Louisville, KY. He began with Lyons in 1995, and worked solely for the firm until 2018. No current employment information is available. There is no indication that he is retired, or is working with another broker-dealer.Bennet is the subject of 14 disclosures that begin in 2016, most of which are customer disputes. Bennet has a total of seven pending customer claims, four settlements, one award, and one claim which has been denied.Christopher Duke Bennet (CRD#: 2510231) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC (CRD#:453) of Louisville, KY. He began with Lyons in 1995, and worked solely for the firm until 2018. No current employment information is available. There is no indication that he is retired, or is working with another broker-dealer.

Bennet is the subject of 14 disclosures that begin in 2016, most of which are customer disputes. Bennet has a total of seven pending customer claims, four settlements, one award, and one claim which has been denied. Continue reading ›

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Gabriel Block (CRD#: 2103543, aka Gabe Block) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was First Standard Financial Company LLC (CRD#:168340) of Red Bank, NJ. His previous employers include National Securities Corporation (CRD#:7569) and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (CRD#:249), both of Red Bank, as well as others in Purchase, NY, St. Louis, MO, Charlotte, NC, Boca Raton, FL, and New York, NY. No current employment information is available. He began in the industry in 1990.Gabriel Block (CRD#: 2103543, aka Gabe Block) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was First Standard Financial Company LLC (CRD#:168340) of Red Bank, NJ. His previous employers include National Securities Corporation (CRD#:7569) and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (CRD#:249), both of Red Bank, as well as others in Purchase, NY, St. Louis, MO, Charlotte, NC, Boca Raton, FL, and New York, NY. No current employment information is available. He began in the industry in 1990. Continue reading ›

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Marcus E. Boggs (CRD#: 5055667) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last broker dealer employer was Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD#:7691) of Chicago, IL, from 2/7/2006 through 12/18/2018. No current or additional employment information is available.Marcus Boggs is the subject of five disclosures. Three customer disputes were filed on 11/21/2018, 12/16/2018 and 12/17/2018, all alleging unauthorized ACH transfers of funds into an American Express account, totaling $5,601,758.71.Marcus E. Boggs (CRD#: 5055667) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last broker dealer employer was Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD#:7691) of Chicago, IL, from 2/7/2006 through 12/18/2018. No current or additional employment information is available.

Marcus Boggs is the subject of five disclosures. Three customer disputes were filed on 11/21/2018, 12/16/2018 and 12/17/2018, all alleging unauthorized ACH transfers of funds into an American Express account, totaling $5,601,758.71. Continue reading ›

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iStock-494312894-300x200Investors who have gone through FINRA arbitration claims against closed boiler-rooms know that collecting an award can be a problem. Brokers and broker-dealers who have actions filed against them are also required to pay fees, as well as any financial restitution they are ordered to pay.

While most of these arbitration actions result in some form of restitution for the defrauded investor, FINRA reports that about 2% of these cases are never paid. Now FINRA has a single page on its website where you can look up companies and brokers who have left their obligations unpaid. The information is available through BrokerCheck on an individual basis, but this is the first time it has been available collectively. Continue reading ›

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Robert David Child (CRD#: 500359) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was National Securities Corporation (CRD#:7569) of Boca Raton, FL. Previous employers include Vfinance Investments, Inc (CRD#:44962 and #25121), also of Boca Raton, and UBS Painewebber Inc. (CRD#:8174) of Weehawken, NJ. He has been in the industry since 1976.Child is the subject of 13 disclosures dating back to 1983. His most recent was filed on 10/31/2016, alleging breach of fiduciary duty and contract, suitability and negligence. The client requested damages of $250,000, and the case settled for $135,000. No additional information is available.Robert David Child (CRD#: 500359) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last employer was National Securities Corporation (CRD#:7569) of Boca Raton, FL. Previous employers include Vfinance Investments, Inc (CRD#:44962 and #25121), also of Boca Raton, and UBS Painewebber Inc. (CRD#:8174) of Weehawken, NJ. He has been in the industry since 1976.

Child is the subject of 13 disclosures dating back to 1983. His most recent was filed on 10/31/2016, alleging breach of fiduciary duty and contract, suitability and negligence. The client requested damages of $250,000, and the case settled for $135,000. No additional information is available. Continue reading ›

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Robert Lee Basile (CRD#: 2392772, aka “Bob Basile”) is a former registered broker and investment advisor who was last employed with PARK AVENUE SECURITIES LLC (CRD#:46173) of Corona, CA. His previous employers include Waddell & Reed (CRD#:866) of Riverside, CA, National Planning Corporation (CRD#:29604) of Chino, CA, and Edward Jones (CRD#:250) of St. Louis, MO. He began in the industry in 2009. Basile has only one disclosure, filed on 11/16/2018. In it, he was sanctioned and indefinitely barred by FINRA. Without admitting or denying the findings, Basile consented to the sanctions and signed an Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) letter. In 2014, Basile’s mother opened a brokerage account at Waddel & Reed shortly after he began employment there, with Basile serving as the broker. Between January 2015 and October 2017, Basile began withdrawing funds without his mother’s knowledge or consent to use for his own living expenses. He improperly converted over $130,000 of his elderly mother’s money.

Robert Lee Basile (CRD#: 2392772, aka “Bob Basile”) is a former registered broker and investment advisor who was last employed with PARK AVENUE SECURITIES LLC (CRD#:46173) of Corona, CA. His previous employers include Waddell & Reed (CRD#:866) of Riverside, CA, National Planning Corporation (CRD#:29604) of Chino, CA, and Edward Jones (CRD#:250) of St. Louis, MO. He began in the industry in 2009.

Basile has only one disclosure, filed on 11/16/2018. In it, he was sanctioned and indefinitely barred by FINRA. Without admitting or denying the findings, Basile consented to the sanctions and signed an Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) letter. Continue reading ›

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