Securities Arbitration Lawyers Blog

Silver Law Group announces FINRA Arbitration filing against former Morgan Stanley Broker Angel E. Aquino-Velez

September 29, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating claims against Miami-based stockbroker Angel E. Aquino-Velez. According to FINRA records, Mr. Aquino is no longer registered with Morgan Stanley. Aquino’s FINRA BrokerCheck record shows (11) total Customer Disputes with (3) of those disputes still pending resolution. The pending claims allege unsuitability and misrepresentation with respect to municipal bond investments primarily relating to Puerto Rico. The damages being sought in the 3 pending complaints total over $6.9 million.

Silver Law Group has filed on behalf of a customer a securities arbitration claim against Aquino and Morgan Stanley alleging the customer lost several million dollars in Puerto Rico municipal bonds because of Morgan Stanley’s negligence. The allegations against Morgan Stanley and Aquino include unsuitable investment recommendations, failure to diversify, and failure to supervise based on investments in Puerto Rico municipal bonds.

For aggrieved investors, brokers and brokerage firms are required to recommend suitable investments and abide by other securities rules. In some cases with Puerto Rican bonds, these brokers and brokerage firms have failed to make reasonable recommendations among other forms of misconduct.

Darnell Anthony Deans Receives a Permanent Bar from FINRA

September 22, 2017 | Silver Law Group

After numerous allegations, his 23-year career has come to an end

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has permanently barred Darnell Anthony Deans from the securities industry. The agency’s final ruling came after years of sanctions, suspensions, and fines related to a charge that he borrowed money from clients.

In 2015, FINRA discovered that Deans had three federal tax liens totaling about $250,000 and reported that he borrowed money from elderly clients in order to pay his debt. He allegedly did this without getting permission from his firm and, when questioned, he lied about his actions. If his clients did not know they were lending him money or he lied about what it would be used for, this could constitute elder financial fraud.

Timothy David Ballard First Suspended and Now Permanently Barred by FINRA

September 22, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Outside business activities involving elderly clients cost him his career

As of April 2017, Timothy David Ballard is no longer allowed to act as a broker or have anything to do with firms that sell securities to the public. It was then that he was permanently barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Ballard had three months to appeal a suspension from FINRA, but because he failed to do so, the agency had no choice but to bar him. The suspension and subsequent barring were related to Ballard’s outside business activity. For a year, Ballard worked at Sunrise Senior Living in Danville, CA, while reportedly also selling securities to residents of the center through his firm, Securities America, Inc. out of Livermore, CA.

SEC Announces Charges in Massive Telemarketing Boiler Room Scheme Targeting Seniors

September 18, 2017 | Silver Law Group

A Long Island-based cold-calling scam allegedly stole more than $10 million from clients

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently brought charges against 13 defendants who allegedly operated two cold-calling investment scams in Long Island, NY. According to the complaint, the companies involved defrauded investors out of more than $10 million. The firms’ salespeople reportedly convinced clients to purchase a number of penny stocks while making a wide variety of outlandish and misleading claims about the investments themselves.

The telemarketing scam reportedly operated by artificially inflating the prices of penny stocks

Elder Financial Fraud Has an Impact on the Financial Well-Being of Caregivers

September 7, 2017 | Silver Law Group

A new study from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America offers tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones against financial abuse

Elder financial abuse affects not only the elderly victims, but those who care them as well. According to a recent study by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, the average financial loss of elderly victims was $36,000; and this financial impact often resulted in “financial ruin.” What’s more, the financial impact on active and potential caregivers equaled an average cost of $36,000 as well, given the necessity to compensate for a loved one’s loss. Elder financial fraud clearly has a far-reaching impact beyond its senior victims.

The cost of caregiving

Broker Leon Vaccarelli Has Been Charged with Fraud by the SEC

September 5, 2017 | Silver Law Group

pic-2

The former Connecticut broker allegedly stole over $1 million from elderly clients

On August 31, Leon Vaccarelli and Lux Financial Services were charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with defrauding at least nine clients, several of which were elderly. According to the SEC, Vaccarelli told the clients that he would be investing their money in conventional brokerage accounts, but what he actually did was have them write checks payable to him. He reportedly then used that money to pay for personal expenses.

The SEC says that over a five-year period, Vaccarelli defrauded his clients of more than $1 million, with a large portion of that total coming from the sale of over $450,000 in securities that were in a trust intended for the care of a beneficiary.

Protecting an Elderly Parent from Financial Abuse from another family member.

September 5, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Often, it’s family members taking advantage of the elderly and their finances

It’s “eyes wide open” when it comes to elder financial fraud. While we may think that those who prey upon the elderly are professional criminals scheming ways to take advantage of people, the sad truth is that often, it’s a family member doing the scheming. A recent study by Merrill Lynch estimated that 70 percent of all elder financial fraud cases involved relatives.

Of course, most family members actively protect their loved ones, but anyone caring for the elderly needs to be aware of the possibilities. Elder fraud perpetrated by family members shows itself in subtle ways, such as changes in whom the senior individual considers a core influencer or decision maker, as well as changes in the senior’s wishes for gifting or investing.

Silver Law Group is investigating former Melbourne, FL-Morgan Stanley broker Anthony J. Verzi

September 5, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Melbourne, FL-Morgan Stanley (CRD#149777) broker Anthony J. Verzi (CRD# 1186572) after FINRA permanently barred Verzi for refusing to appear for an on the record testimony related to an investigation into unsuitable trading.

According to Verzi’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, a customer filed a FINRA arbitration in December 2016 alleging unsuitable unit investment trusts who’s only purpose was to generate commissions for the broker. This complaint led to a FINRA investigation in which he failed to appear for on-the-record testimony, at which time FINRA permanently barred him.

Morgan Stanley (CRD#149777) employed Verzi as a broker dealer from June 2009 until August 2016. Verzi operated out of Morgan Stanley’s Melbourne, Florida branch.

Silver Law Group is analyzing claims of unauthorized trading and unsuitable investments by former Delray Beach, Florida based Cetera Advisors LLC broker Christopher R. Hickman

September 5, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is analyzing claims of unauthorized trading and unsuitable investments by former Delray Beach, Florida based Cetera Advisors LLC (CRD#10299) broker Christopher R. Hickman (CRD# 3267599). The complaints allege that Hickman recommended unsuitable trades and investments and carried out unauthorized trades over the course of many years.

According to Hickman’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, FINRA suspended and fined Hickman in July 2017 for five months and fined him $5,000. On multiple occasions throughout his career, clients have alleged losses to due to unauthorized trading and unsuitability. The earliest FINRA reported incident was in November of 2007 up until the most recent event in July of 2017.

Hickman was employed and registered by Cetera Advisors LLC from September of 2009 until July of 2015. Previously he was employed by Banc Of America Investment Services (CRD#16361) from 2006 to 2009.

Silver Law Group is investigating former Memphis, Tennessee -based Wunderlich Securities Inc broker David K Mallett over allegations that Mallett excessively traded customers’ accounts and made unsuitable recommendations.

September 5, 2017 | Silver Law Group

Silver Law Group is investigating former Memphis, Tennessee-based Wunderlich Securities Inc. (CRD#2543) broker David K. Mallett (CRD#5145838) over allegations that Mallett excessively traded customers’ accounts and made unsuitable recommendations.

According to Mallett’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, a customer filed a complaint in October of 2016 against Mallett alleging churning in the customer’s account and further that he made unsuitable recommendations. Further, the customer alleges that Mallett’s employing firm, Wunderlich Securities (CRD#2543), failed to supervise Mallett.

Wunderlich has employed Mallett from June 2016 to present day at its Memphis.