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Articles Posted in Unsuitable Investment Advice

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Richard Wesselt (a/k/a Rich Wesselt, Richard M Wesselt, CRD#: 2195569), a currently-registered broker with Fortune Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#: 42150) in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, is the subject of 16 disclosures on his publicly-available FINRA BrokerCheck report. Wesselt has been a broker since 1992 and previously worked for The O.N. Equity Sales Company (CRD#: 2936), Stern Agee Financial Services, INC. (CRD#: 18456), American Investment Services, Inc. (CRD#: 21111 expelled), W.S. Griffith & Co., Inc. (CRD# 10410), and PML Securities Company (CRD#: 4082).Richard Wesselt (a/k/a Rich Wesselt, Richard M Wesselt, CRD#: 2195569), a currently-registered broker with Fortune Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#: 42150) in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, is the subject of 16 disclosures on his publicly-available FINRA BrokerCheck report.

Wesselt has been a broker since 1992 and previously worked for The O.N. Equity Sales Company (CRD#: 2936), Stern Agee Financial Services, INC. (CRD#: 18456), American Investment Services, Inc. (CRD#: 21111 expelled), W.S. Griffith & Co., Inc. (CRD# 10410), and PML Securities Company (CRD#: 4082). Continue reading

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Katherine Greer Nishnic (CRD# 2499553) of Centaurus Financial, Inc. in Lexington, South Carolina, faces seven pending customer disputes, six of which arose this year. Prior to joining Centaurus Financial in 2015, Nishnic worked for First Allied Securities, Gunnallen Financial, Inc., and J.P. Turner & Company, a firm that has since been shut down due to numerous regulatory problems.Katherine Greer Nishnic (CRD# 2499553) of Centaurus Financial, Inc. in Lexington, South Carolina, faces seven pending customer disputes, six of which arose this year. Prior to joining Centaurus Financial in 2015, Nishnic worked for First Allied Securities, Gunnallen Financial, Inc., and J.P. Turner & Company, a firm that has since been shut down due to numerous regulatory problems. Continue reading

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Approximately one year ago a customer lodged a dispute with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Jeanpierre Ayala (a/k/a J.P. Ayala) (CRD# 2765730) due to conduct that occurred while Ayala was employed by Laidlaw & Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ayala is currently registered with Westpark Capital in Boca Raton, Florida.Approximately one year ago a customer lodged a dispute with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) against broker Jeanpierre Ayala (a/k/a J.P. Ayala) (CRD# 2765730) due to conduct that occurred while Ayala was employed by Laidlaw & Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ayala is currently registered with Westpark Capital in Boca Raton, Florida.

According to Ayala’s CRD Report, published by FINRA, the customer alleged misrepresentation and recommendation of unsuitable investments over the course of 2013-2017 and now seeks $200,000. Ayala denies these allegations. The dispute arises out of private placement investments, including a real estate investment trust (REIT). The dispute is currently pending resolution. Continue reading

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Silver Law Group recently filed FINRA arbitration claims against a broker-dealer for the recommendation and sale of an unsuitable Regulation D (“Reg D”) private placement. The broker-dealer marketed the investment as having huge upside because the company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) was coming up. However, despite repeated promises to customers, the IPO never came and customers’ investments are now worthless.Silver Law Group recently filed FINRA arbitration claims against a broker-dealer for the recommendation and sale of an unsuitable Regulation D (“Reg. D”) private placement. The broker-dealer marketed the investment as having huge upside because the company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) was coming up. However, despite repeated promises to customers, the IPO never came and customers’ investments are now worthless.

The suit alleges that much of the company’s marketing materials was designed to mislead investors into believing the company was profitable and poised for a lucrative IPO. The broker-dealer failed to conduct adequate due diligence on the company and passed this false or misleading information along to its customers. The broker-dealer turned a blind eye to the risks its customers faced because it received a high commission for the capital raised. Continue reading

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Silver Law Group has filed a FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of clients against Centaurus Financial, Inc. (CRD# 30833) and J.P. Turner & Company, LLC (CRD# 43177) regarding the acts of its employees Cindy Chiellini (CRD# 1015592) and Ricky Mantei (CRD# 1098981).The claim is brought on behalf of a family-run business’s profit sharing plan (PSP), and seeks monetary damages.Silver Law Group has filed a FINRA arbitration claim on behalf of clients against Centaurus Financial, Inc. (CRD# 30833) and J.P. Turner & Company, LLC (CRD# 43177) regarding the acts of its employees Cindy Chiellini (CRD# 1015592) and Ricky Mantei (CRD# 1098981).

The claim is brought on behalf of a family-run business’s profit sharing plan (PSP), and seeks monetary damages.

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Silver Law Group has filed another FINRA arbitration claim against Voya Financial Advisors related to its former employee, Greenville, South Carolina broker James Flynn (CRD# 3082615).In the securities arbitration complaint, our clients our clients allege they “received unsuitable investment advice and securities recommendations” from Flynn, who was our client’s financial advisor. Breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and breach of contract are also claimed.Silver Law Group has filed another FINRA arbitration claim against Voya Financial Advisors related to its former employee, Greenville, South Carolina broker James Flynn (CRD# 3082615).

In the securities arbitration complaint, our clients our clients allege they “received unsuitable investment advice and securities recommendations” from Flynn, who was our client’s financial advisor. Breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and breach of contract are also claimed. Continue reading

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Scott J. Donato (CRD#: 2336331) is a former registered broker and investment advisor who was last employed with Morgan Stanley (CRD#:149777) of Miami, FL, until 2017. He previously worked for two different Morgan Stanley companies, (CRD#: 8209 and 7556) since 1993. No current employment information is available. Scott Donato is the subject of 10 disclosures dating back to 2001. The most recent, on 12/11/2018, is a FINRA regulatory action in which he failed to respond to a request for information from FINRA. He was notified by letter of his suspension on 3/14/2019, and failed to request a termination of his suspension by the three month deadline. FINRA barred Donato indefinitely in all capacities effective 3/14/2019.Scott J. Donato (CRD#: 2336331) is a former registered broker and investment advisor who was last employed with Morgan Stanley (CRD#:149777) of Miami, FL, until 2017. He previously worked for two different Morgan Stanley companies, (CRD#: 8209 and 7556) since 1993. No current employment information is available.

Scott Donato is the subject of 10 disclosures dating back to 2001. The most recent, on 12/11/2018, is a FINRA regulatory action in which he failed to respond to a request for information from FINRA. He was notified by letter of his suspension on 3/14/2019, and failed to request a termination of his suspension by the three month deadline. FINRA barred Donato indefinitely in all capacities effective 3/14/2019. Continue reading

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Silver Law Group is investigating Boca Raton, Florida-based Newbridge Securities Corporation broker David Fagenson (CRD# 1652012) after FINRA suspended him for eight (8) months for alleged misconduct in elder customer brokerage accounts.According to Fagenson’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA suspended the Florida-based broker in November 2018. FINRA suspended Fagenson after he entered into an Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (AWC) that found Fagenson engaged in excessive and unsuitable trading in three (3) senior customer brokerage accounts while employed by UBS Financial Services Inc.Silver Law Group is investigating Boca Raton, Florida-based Newbridge Securities Corporation broker David Fagenson (CRD# 1652012) after FINRA suspended him for eight (8) months for alleged misconduct in elder customer brokerage accounts.

According to Fagenson’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA suspended the Florida-based broker in November 2018. FINRA suspended Fagenson after he entered into an Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (AWC) that found Fagenson engaged in excessive and unsuitable trading in three (3) senior customer brokerage accounts while employed by UBS Financial Services Inc. Continue reading

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Dan Brown (CRD#: 3184347) is a previously registered broker whose last employer was Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. (CRD#:159744) of Center Moriches, NY. His previous employers include First Standard Financial Company LLC (CRD#:168340), Legend Securities, Inc. (CRD#:44952, expelled by FINRA on 4/17/2017) and Tryco Securities, Inc. (CRD#:104025), all of Miller Place, NY. Three of his former employers have been expelled by FINRA. He has been in the business since 1999.FINRA suspended Brown on 1/31/2019 after he failed to comply with an arbitration award and settlement agreement stemming from a customer dispute. This dispute, filed on 4/27/2017, alleges that Brown offered investments unsuitable for a senior investor, as well as misrepresentation. The client requested damages of $386,167.56, and was awarded $375,000. Along with Legend Securities and one other broker, Brown was ordered to pay the client the award, plus $700,000 in punitive damages and an additional $25,000 in compensatory damages, all with legal interest. Brown stated that he would be declaring bankruptcy, and the other brokers involved in the case already have.Dan Brown (CRD#: 3184347) is a previously registered broker whose last employer was Joseph Stone Capital L.L.C. (CRD#:159744) of Center Moriches, NY. His previous employers include First Standard Financial Company LLC (CRD#:168340), Legend Securities, Inc. (CRD#:44952, expelled by FINRA on 4/17/2017) and Tryco Securities, Inc. (CRD#:104025), all of Miller Place, NY. Three of his former employers have been expelled by FINRA. He has been in the business since 1999. Continue reading

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Richard Lynn Pittman (CRD#: 2845145) is a registered broker and investment advisor currently employed with Cetera Advisors LLC (CRD#: 10299) of Memphis, TN. His previous employers include Investors Capital Corp. (CRD#:30613), also of Memphis, Washington Square Securities, Inc. (CRD#:2882) of Des Moines, IA, and WMA Securities, Inc. (CRD#:32625) of Duluth, GA. He has been in the industry since 1997.Richard Pittman has three disclosures, all recent customer disputes. The most recent dispute, filed on 10/31/2018, alleges that Pittman made unsuitable recommendations on investments that were purchased in 2008. Damages requested total $300,000. Pittman denies the allegations, and the case is currently pending.Richard Lynn Pittman (CRD#: 2845145) is a registered broker and investment advisor currently employed with Cetera Advisors LLC (CRD#: 10299) of Memphis, TN. His previous employers include Investors Capital Corp. (CRD#:30613), also of Memphis, Washington Square Securities, Inc. (CRD#:2882) of Des Moines, IA, and WMA Securities, Inc. (CRD#:32625) of Duluth, GA. He has been in the industry since 1997.

Richard Pittman has three disclosures, all recent customer disputes. The most recent dispute, filed on 10/31/2018, alleges that Pittman made unsuitable recommendations on investments that were purchased in 2008. Damages requested total $300,000. Pittman denies the allegations, and the case is currently pending. Continue reading

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