Stockbroker Misconduct

Silver Law Group Investigates FINRA-barred Florida Broker Who Allegedly Sold Away Customers

May 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigation former Florida-based Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC (CRD# 7784) broker Michael J. DeBoer (CRD# 2114067) for allegedly conducting outside business activities without notifying Fidelity and losing his customers a great deal of money in the process.

According to DeBoer’s FINRA BrokerCheck, FINRA permanently barred DeBoer in May 2016 for allegedly recommending two customers collectively invest $200,000 in securities offered by a software development company. In exchange for the referrals, the company allegedly gave DeBoer $32,000 in compensation, while the customers ultimately lost all of their investments.

Additionally, the Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (“AWC”), found that DeBoer marketed to his customers and other potential investors the services of an entity that provided separately-managed futures trading accounts. The AWC states that DeBoer referred approximately 28 people to the entity and received $70,000 in return for his referrals. Most of the referred individuals lost a substantial amount of the money invested.

Former Tennessee Woodbury Broker Under Investigation Over Allegations of Outside Business Activities

May 25, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigation former Tennessee-based Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. broker David A. Ross (CRD# 3021782) for allegedly failing to disclose an outside business activity and accepting loans from firm clients.

According to Ross’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, Woodbury Financial Services (CRD# 421) discharged Ross in April 2016 for the allegations listed above as well as other undisclosed firm violations.

Ross has seven other disclosures on his FINRA BrokerCheck report. Of those other seven, six of them are tax liens totaling over $250,000.

Marcos Yanez, former LPL Financial Broker Under Investigation Over Variable Annuities Misrepresentation Allegations

April 26, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Dallas, Texas-based LPL Financial LLC (CRD# 6413) broker Marcos Yanez (CRD# 5353857) over allegations that Yanez misrepresented certain aspects in the sale of a variable life insurance policy amidst other allegations.

According to Yanez’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, a customer filed a complaint against Yanez in March 2017. The FINRA arbitration complaint alleges misrepresentations in the sale of a variable life insurance policy, and that Yanez advised the customer to take out a margin loan in order to loan money to the advisor.

LPL Financial employed Yanez from December 2011 to March 2016 at its Dallas, Texas branch. According to Yanez’s detailed CRD report, Yanez operated under the moniker Staib Wealth Management from February 2014 until the name changed to Silver Sail Wealth Advisors in February 2015. Yanez is no longer registered with FINRA.

Jed E. Tinder, Former Montana-based Western International Securities Broker Under Investigation

April 26, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Montana-based Western International Securities, Inc. (CRD# 39262) broker Jed E. Tinder (CRD# 1013144) over allegations of unsuitability, recklessness and negligence.

According to Tinder’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, Tinder currently has three (3) pending FINRA arbitration complaints. The first, filed in September 2015, alleges unsuitable recommendations and damages in the amount of $1.2 million. The second, filed in July 2016, alleges unsuitability and damages in the amount of $187,000. The third, filed in August 2016, alleges recklessness, negligence and damages in the amount of over $181,000.

In 2006, though denied, a customer filed a complaint involving variable annuities and equity-indexed annuities.

Brett S. Murphy, Boca Raton, Florida-based Revere Securities Broker Under Investigation Over Allegations of Churning in Unit Investment Trusts

April 26, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating Boca Raton, Florida-based Revere Securities LLC (CRD# 14178) broker Brett S. Murphy (CRD# 2434384) over allegations that Murphy excessively traded unit investment trusts (“UITs”) in a customer’s account.

According to Scott’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, a customer filed a complaint against Scott alleging Scott churned the customer’s account in UITs and that the UITs were unsuitable. Further, the customer alleges that Scott’s employing firm, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (CRD# 249) as well as Revere Securities, failed to supervise Scott.

Oppenheimer employed Scott from July 2011 to March 2015 at its Palm Beach Gardens, Florida locations. Scott then moved further south to Revere Securities in Boca Raton, Florida where he is currently employed.

Former Morgan Stanley Broker Hilary J. Zimmerman Under Investigation Over Unauthorized Trading Allegations

April 26, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Mississippi-based Morgan Stanley (CRD# 149777) broker Hilary J. Zimmerman (CRD# 2191841) over unauthorized trading allegations.

According to Zimmerman’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, Zimmerman is the subject of seven (7) disclosures. Out of the seven disclosures, Zimmerman has had three (3) settled on his behalf and one (1) in which a FINRA arbitration panel found in favor of the claimants.

In 2010, multiple claimants alleged Zimmerman excessively traded their accounts in unsuitable transactions, and the FINRA arbitration panel awarded over $387,000 to the claimants.

Barry F. Connell, Formerly of Morgan Stanley, Under Investigation Over Allegations that he Stole From Clients

April 26, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former New Jersey-based Morgan Stanley (CRD# 149777) broker Barry F. Connell (CRD# 3070984) over SEC allegations that he stole money from his customers.

According to the SEC complaint, Connell misappropriated approximately $5 million from Morgan Stanley clients from December 2015 through November 2016. Allegedly, Connell carried out the scheme primarily by moving funds between certain client accounts and issuing wire transfers and checks from the accounts to third parties for his benefit. Over the course of approximately eleven (11) months, Connell made 100 unauthorized transactions, according to the SEC complaint.

According to Connell’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, Morgan Stanley discharged Connell in November 2016 after the allegations surfaced.

Silver Law Group Files Securities Arbitration Claim Relating to California-based Cetera/Investors Capital Corp Broker Daniel B. Vazquez

April 18, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Our firm has filed a complaint against Irvine, California-based Cetera Advisors (CRD# 10299) relating to broker Daniel B. Vazquez Sr. (CRD# 3141463) after FINRA permanently barred Vazquez.

According to Vazquez’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA permanently barred him from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities to the public in June 2016 for failing to respond to a FINRA request for information.

The permanent bar comes just two months after a FINRA arbitration was filed alleging unsuitable recommendations and unauthorized trades which led to portfolio losses.

Sherman L. Greer, Formerly North Carolina LPL Financial Branch, Under Investigation

April 7, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Locust, North Carolina-based LPL Financial LLC (CRD# 6413) broker Sherman L. Greer(CRD# 4910464) after FINRA permanently barred him.

According to Greer’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA permanently barred Greer in November 2016 from acting as a broker or otherwise associating with firms that sell securities to the public after Greer failed to respond to FINRA’s request for information.

Prior to FINRA’s bar, LPL Financial discharged Greer in May 2016 after he failed to respond to inquiries from LPL Financial’s compliance department.

Jeffrey L. Offen, Employed by 17 Different Firms, Suspended by FINRA

April 7, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating New York-based broker Jeffrey L. Offen (CRD# 2893980) after FINRA suspended him.

According to Offen’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA suspended Offen for 60 days and fined him $5,000 in December 2016. Offen consented to the sanctions and entry of findings that he failed to timely update his Form U4 to disclose reportable information.

Offen has 16 disclosures on his BrokerCheck report, but most of them are civil and tax judgment/liens. Two (2) FINRA arbitration complaints were settled against him, though.