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Public Justice

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for August 2026, the following individuals were barred from FINRA and cannot currently work for a FINRA brokerage firm for failing to provide FINRA with information it requested or to keep information current with FINRA pursuant to FINRA rules:

NAME FORMER EMPLOYERS
Francisco M. Gomez  LPL Financial LLC

BBVA Securities Inc.
Chihyu Jerry Hsu  Park Avenue Securities LLC

Northwestern Mutual Investment
Richard A. Harris  HSC Securities (USA) Inc.

Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
Joseph Frank Lauzon  LPL Financial LLC

Wachovia Securities, LLC

 
Dimitrios K. Michelis  US Financial Services Inc.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Michael Montalvo Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Cetera Investment Services LLC
Antonio Sandoval Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC

Chase Investment Services Corp.
John Charles Wilson II  Edward Jones

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Silver Law Group is investigating potential claims on behalf of investors who purchased KeyCity Capital and Lasater Capital private placements and other alternative investments through brokerage firm J. Alden Associates, Inc. and registered representatives Stephen Douglas Patterson Jr. and Nathan Daniel Goad.   Investments include, but are not limited to: KeyCity Capital Fund I KX Wealth Fund I KCAP RE Fund II KCAP RE Fund III KCAP RE Fund XI KCAP RE Fund XII KCAP Meadows at Ferguson KCAP Dominik KCAP Holleman Oaks KCAP Villa Gardens KCAP Lending Fund IV KCAP Lending Fund XIII KCAP Hive Funding KCAP TX College Station 4Silver Law Group is investigating potential claims on behalf of investors who purchased KeyCity Capital and Lasater Capital private placements and other alternative investments through brokerage firm J. Alden Associates, Inc. and registered representatives Stephen Douglas Patterson Jr. and Nathan Daniel Goad.   Investments include, but are not limited to:

  • KeyCity Capital Fund I
  • KX Wealth Fund I
  • KCAP RE Fund II
  • KCAP RE Fund III
  • KCAP RE Fund XI
  • KCAP RE Fund XII
  • KCAP Meadows at Ferguson
  • KCAP Dominik
  • KCAP Holleman Oaks
  • KCAP Villa Gardens
  • KCAP Lending Fund IV
  • KCAP Lending Fund XIII
  • KCAP Hive Funding
  • KCAP TX College Station 4

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The U.S. wealth management landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. For decades, brokerage firms dominated the investment industry, facilitating trades and offering product-driven advice. However, recent trends indicate that investment advisory firms—particularly those registered as investment advisers (RIAs)—are rapidly gaining ground. In some respects, they are outpacing traditional brokerage firms in popularity and growth. The Surge in Investment Advisory Firms Recent industry data underscores the explosive growth of the investment advisory sector. As of 2024, SEC-registered investment advisors manage an astounding $144.6 trillion in assets, reflecting a 12.6% year-over-year increase. The number of advisors has also grown to 15,870—a 3.1% rise from the previous year—serving 68.4 million clients, up nearly 7%. This expansion is not just in client numbers but also the breadth of services offered: 45% of advisors now provide comprehensive financial planning, compared to just 33% twenty-five years ago.The U.S. wealth management landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. For decades, brokerage firms dominated the investment industry, facilitating trades and offering product-driven advice. However, recent trends indicate that investment advisory firms—particularly those registered as investment advisers (RIAs)—are rapidly gaining ground. In some respects, they are outpacing traditional brokerage firms in popularity and growth. Continue reading ›

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The short answer is yes, investment advisors do owe their clients a fiduciary duty. This legal obligation requires them to always act in their client's best interests, prioritize them, and place the client's interests ahead of their own. They are also required to ensure that their clients always receive suitable investment advice and recommendations. When entrusting your finances to a professional, trust is essential. For investors, this trust is legally reinforced when working with an investment advisor, thanks to fiduciary duty. But what does this mean in practice, and how does it set investment advisors apart from other financial professionals?The short answer is yes, investment advisors do owe their clients a fiduciary duty. This legal obligation requires them to always act in their client’s best interests, prioritize them, and place the client’s interests ahead of their own. They are also required to ensure that their clients always receive suitable investment advice and recommendations.

When entrusting your finances to a professional, trust is essential. For investors, this trust is legally reinforced when working with an investment advisor, thanks to fiduciary duty. But what does this mean in practice, and how does it set investment advisors apart from other financial professionals? Continue reading ›

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ChurnsmallSilver Law Group managing partner Scott Silver has weighed in on the newest “life bond” securities offerings by Lighthouse Life Capital, LLC. Despite previously suffering considerable losses, the company is now raising capital for a new $50 million bond offering, which includes higher amounts of investor interest and broker commissions. Continue reading ›

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Investment bank Sutter Securities has been served with a complaint by FINRA that it engaged in churning an elderly investor’s account. Former Sutter part-owner and CEO Keith Moore was also named in the complaint for making recommendations to the unnamed broker on behalf of this customer. FINRA’s complaint details how Sutter engaged in churning—excessive trading to generate higher commissions—that brought in $2.9 million in commissions to the firm. This figure represents 35% of the firm’s commissions during the period. The firm generated over $8 million in total commissions during the relevant period. The charges include violations of Regulation Best Interest by both Sutter and Moore, holding them responsible for allowing the broker to engage in excessive trading, failing to supervise the broker, and ignoring multiple warnings and red flags.Investment bank Sutter Securities has been served with a complaint by FINRA that it engaged in churning an elderly investor’s account. Former Sutter part-owner and CEO Keith Moore was also named in the complaint for making recommendations to the unnamed broker on behalf of this customer. Continue reading ›

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A group of investors, including individuals, investment LLCs, and family trusts, are suing the commercial real estate firm First National Realty Partners (FNRP) in a multi-million-dollar RICO and fraud lawsuit. Filed in federal court in New Jersey on July 17, 2026, the investors claim that FNRP, along with two affiliated firms, First National Realty Advisors and First National Property Management, conducted fraudulent investment schemes that cost them more than $9.5 million. The lawsuit alleges that FNRP told investors that it purchased commercial properties, primarily shopping centers, at or below market value, and paid dividends to investors of 6% per year. In the suit, the company claimed in its marketing materials it bought properties "that can be acquired at perceived discounts to both market value and replacement cost."A group of investors, including individuals, investment LLCs, and family trusts, are suing the commercial real estate firm First National Realty Partners (FNRP) in a multi-million-dollar RICO and fraud lawsuit.

Filed in federal court in New Jersey on July 17, 2026, the investors claim that FNRP, along with two affiliated firms, First National Realty Advisors and First National Property Management, conducted fraudulent investment schemes that cost them more than $9.5 million. Continue reading ›

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Silver Law Group managing partner Scott Silver recently spoke with Investment News on the continuing impact of the failed GWG Holdings illiquid and speculative L-Bonds on defrauded investors. Included in these cases is elder financial abuse, particularly when brokers overstep their boundaries and become more involved in their client’s life and financial affairs. In the article, Scott referenced one of his clients, who was awarded compensatory damages and interest after being sold L-Bonds and other investments. He also loaned money to the broker who sold him the investments. In the arbitration action, the broker-dealers settled the claim while the advisor was found liable. “We are seeing a rise in elder financial fraud by brokers, primarily those working as independent contractors. Those brokers develop close relationships with senior clients and abuse that relationship by borrowing money or otherwise seeking a role in a client's estate, either as a beneficiary or a trustee to financially benefit themselves,” Scott said. Under FINRA Rule 3240, brokers are not allowed to borrow money from clients except under very tight restrictions, such as only from close relatives, with written permission from the firm.Silver Law Group managing partner Scott Silver recently spoke with Investment News on the continuing impact of the failed GWG Holdings illiquid and speculative L-Bonds on defrauded investors. Included in these cases is elder financial abuse, particularly when brokers overstep their boundaries and become more involved in their client’s life and financial affairs. Continue reading ›

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Silver Law Group founding attorney Scott Silver has been quoted in an article by Investment News after Boca Raton, Florida-based Newbridge Securities settled a claim with FINRA. The firm paid $105,000 for failing to supervise two brokers who, over a five-year period, excessively recommended the use of margins in five customer accounts. “This is another speeding ticket of the firm by FINRA, the cop, along with the other infractions of the firm’s history,” Scott said in the article. Newbridge Securities was fined $60,000 and paid restitution of $45,000, plus interest, and accepted the findings while neither confirming nor denying any of the accusations. In the order, FINRA stated: “From July 2015 through June 2020, Newbridge failed to reasonably supervise two registered representatives in one former branch office who recommended unsuitable margin use in five customer accounts. The customers were not experienced or sophisticated investors and did not understand the extent to which margin was used in their accounts, or the costs associated with the margin use.”Silver Law Group founding attorney Scott Silver has been quoted in an article by Investment News after Boca Raton, Florida-based Newbridge Securities settled a claim with FINRA. The firm paid $105,000 for failing to supervise two brokers who, over a five-year period, excessively recommended the use of margins in five customer accounts.

“This is another speeding ticket of the firm by FINRA, the cop, along with the other infractions of the firm’s history,” Scott said in the article. Continue reading ›

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Have you purchased shares of a company called BTC Digital, or Metem Ed TechX, as was previously known, on the recommendation of your Aegis broker? Silver Law Group is a securities law firm that looks after investors’ interests. If you or someone you know have suffered losses from an Aegis-related investment recommendation, contact attorney Scott Silver at ssilver@silverlaw.com or toll-free at (800) 975-4345 for a free consultation. BTC Digital, (BTCT) is a crypto asset technology company that engages in bitcoin mining and the rental and resale of bitcoin mining machines. Founded in 2006 and originally named Ed TechX, it later bought Meten. The company engaged in English language training (ELT) until it changed to bitcoin mining in 2022, changing its name to BTC Digital. The company also changed its stock ticker from the original METX to its current BTCT. The company is headquartered in Shenzhen, China. Meten/BTC is one of the many micro-cap companies underwritten by Aegis, which sold the stock to its retail customers. In its March 2024 report, SLCG Economic Consulting described Aegis as one of “the worst” retail brokerages, and a “Farm-to-Table Securities Fraud Purveyor” that cost its customers $5 billion in losses. Aegis Capital’s underwrote Meten/BTC. The company allegedly directly harmed individual investors by pushing them into risky and ultimately worthless securities, usually using misleading research and potential price manipulation. The result was catastrophic financial losses for ordinary people, many of whom were not equipped to handle these risks.Have you purchased shares of a company called BTC Digital, or Metem Ed TechX, as was previously known, on the recommendation of your Aegis broker?

Silver Law Group is a securities law firm that looks after investors’ interests. If you or someone you know have suffered losses from an Aegis-related investment recommendation, contact attorney Scott Silver at ssilver@silverlaw.com or toll-free at (800) 975-4345 for a free consultation. Continue reading ›

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