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Public Justice

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for May 2022, 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
  Maria Acevedo   Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  Alicia Chester   BBVA Securities Inc.
  Anthony DiDonna   Equitable Advisors, LLC
  Travis Eiland   HD Vest Insurance Services
  HD Vest Investment Services
  Jeremy Fortner   Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC
  JP Morgan Chase Securities, LLC
  Marc Korsch   Arkadios Capital
  Centaurus Financial, Inc.
  Scott Levine   Ascendiant Capital Markets, LLC
  BMA Securities
  Mario Martinez   Mutual of Omaha Investors Services, Inc.
  AIG Capital Services, Inc
  Jun Ouyang   Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC
  Stephen Wenske   Edward Jones

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for May 2022, the following individuals were suspended 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. However, these individuals remain bound by the securities arbitration agreement to arbitrate any disputes between themselves and their former customers:

NAME FORMER EMPLOYERS
  Thomas Corsaro   Bankers Life Securities, Inc.
  SagePoint Financial, Inc.
  Ryan Darby   Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC
  Hector Flores Jr.   MML Investors Services, LLC
  NYLife Securities LLC
  Teresa Gomez   UBS Financial Services Inc.
  Pruco Securities, LLC
  Christopher McFadden   Equitable Advisors, LLC
  LPL Financial LLC
  Ann Montgomery   LPL Financial LLC
  National Planning Corporation
  Michael Pau   MML Investors Services, LLC
  MSI Financial Services, Inc.
  Sean Winkler   Vanguard Marketing Corporation

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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for May 2022, the following individuals were suspended from FINRA for failing to comply with a FINRA arbitration award or settlement agreement pursuant to FINRA rules:

NAME FORMER EMPLOYERS
  Kevin Harms   Chelsea Financial Services
  Salomon Whitney Financial
  David Morris   Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
  UBS Financial Services Inc.
  Aleksandr Osaulenko   First Standard Financial Company LLC
  Alexander Capital, LP
  Yousuf Saljooki   Worden Capital Management LLC
  Salomon Whitney Financial

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According to Morgan StanleyAccording to Morgan Stanley, the “Pelican Bay Group” is an elite team of 20 Morgan Stanley financial advisors and additional staff that manage wealth for high net worth families. As of December 31, 2021, the Pelican Bay Group reportedly manages approximately $4 billion in assets. However, the Group has come under scrutiny since a client recently filed a complaint against Managing Director Antony Gallea, claiming that Gallea had misrepresented the firm’s options trading strategy. Misrepresentations Violate FINRA Rules Under FINRA Rule 2020, brokers cannot use any manipulative, deceptive, or other fraudulent device or contrivance to induce the purchase or sale of any security. And if they violate that rule, FINRA can take a range of actions against the broker, including suspending the broker’s license and ordering the broker to compensate their clients. Morgan Stanley FINRA Arbitration Claims According to BrokerCheck, the recent allegations are not the first complaints FINRA has received about Gallea. While allegations are not proof of wrongdoing, if you’ve been investing with Gallea or the Pelican Bay Group, you may want to review your investments including any options strategies., the “Pelican Bay Group” is an elite team of 20 Morgan Stanley financial advisors and additional staff that manage wealth for high net worth families. As of December 31, 2021, the Pelican Bay Group reportedly manages approximately $4 billion in assets. However, the Group has come under scrutiny since a client recently filed a complaint against Managing Director Anthony Gallea, claiming that Gallea had misrepresented the firm’s options trading strategy. Continue reading ›

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In January 2022, FINRA, the organization that regulates and oversees Broker-Dealers and Wall Street brokers, received a securities arbitration claim regarding Anthony Gallea, a Managing Director and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. In the complaint, a client alleged that Anthony Gallea misrepresented his options trading strategy, resulting in the client’s sustaining unspecified damages. And this is not the first time there have been complaints made against him by his customers. Silver Law Group represents investors in claims against financial advisors and others for breach of fiduciary duty, suitability and other claims. Our attorneys frequently assist investors in claims for misconduct relating to unsuitable options strategies, excessive fees and material misrepresentations. Stockbrokers Have A Duty Not To Misrepresent Or Mislead Investors FINRA’s Rule 2020 states: “No member shall effect any transaction in, or induce the purchase or sale of, any security by means of any manipulative, deceptive or other fraudulent device or contrivance.”In January 2022, FINRA, the organization that regulates and oversees Broker-Dealers and Wall Street brokers, received a securities arbitration claim regarding Anthony Gallea, a Managing Director and financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. In the complaint, a client alleged that Anthony Gallea misrepresented his options trading strategy, resulting in the client’s sustaining unspecified damages. And this is not the first time there have been complaints made against him by his customers. Continue reading ›

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As a Securities and Exchange Commission report found, options trading is highly technical and involves holding stocks for short periods of time. Given the complexity of these deals, customers frequently depend on their brokers to make almost all of their trading decisions. Unscrupulous brokers know this, and they use their customers’ reliance for churning—when a broker engages in excessive trading on customers’ behalf to generate more commissions. But churning is illegal, and brokers who have engaged in churning can be required to compensate their clients for related losses. Because customers rely so heavily upon brokers for options trades, brokers have additional requirements for making these trades. For example, they must know the customers’ financial position, their investment goals, and their age. And customers must understand the risks of options training. But it isn’t enough for them to understand that options trading is risky, generally speaking. The brokers should explain the risks of each specific deal. And they should weigh if their customers understand the trade and have the financial wherewithal to make it, before the trade.As a Securities and Exchange Commission report found, options trading is highly technical and involves holding stocks for short periods of time. Given the complexity of these deals, customers frequently depend on their brokers to make almost all of their trading decisions. Unscrupulous brokers know this, and they use their customers’ reliance for churning—when a broker engages in excessive trading on customers’ behalf to generate more commissions. But churning is illegal, and brokers who have engaged in churning can be required to compensate their clients for related losses. Continue reading ›

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While some view “covered call” trading as one of the forms of options trading that have the least risk, the reality is that covered call options still come with some serious risk. A covered call strategy also requires extensive trading and allows brokers to change commissions or other fees making these strategies very expensive. And it’s important to understand that if your broker has convinced you to follow a covered calls options strategy that resulted in investment losses, the broker may be liable to compensate you for those losses. Pros and Cons of a Covered Call Options Trade In a covered call options trade, Person A purchases stocks and then sells an option to sell the shares to Person B, once the shares have risen to a specified price. At that point, it’s up to Person B if they will purchase the shares or not. If the shares increase in value, Person A will profit from the increased value in the shares, whether they sell them to Person B or not. However, it’s possible that Person A would have done better if they’d held the stock for a longer investment, when the agreement will force them to sell at that price.While some view “covered call” trading as one of the forms of options trading that have the least risk, the reality is that covered call options still come with some serious risk. A covered call strategy also requires extensive trading and allows brokers to change commissions or other fees making these strategies very expensive. And it’s important to understand that if your broker has convinced you to follow a covered calls options strategy that resulted in investment losses, the broker may be liable to compensate you for those losses. Continue reading ›

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Silver Law Group’s managing partner Scott Silver has recently been awarded the designation of an America’s 100 High Stakes Litigator for the Southern Florida region. Every year, America’s Top 100 recognizes 100 attorneys in each state and highlighting their accomplishments. Using a proprietary selection methodology, along with specific criteria, the organization seeks out attorneys throughout the US for their exceptional work in their chosen field of law. A high-stakes litigator is one who has: Litigated a case worth at least $2M, either for a plaintiff or a defendant, or Litigated a case involving a business with an outcome worth at least $2M The attorney is initially nominated by a peer or through third-party research and is by invitation-only. Once selected, the candidates are vetted through the organization’s criteria and algorithms to determine their eligibility. Additional criteria include:Silver Law Group’s managing partner Scott Silver has recently been awarded the designation of an America’s 100 High Stakes Litigator for the Southern Florida region.

Every year, America’s Top 100 recognizes 100 attorneys in each state and highlighting their accomplishments. Using a proprietary selection methodology, along with specific criteria, the organization seeks out attorneys throughout the US for their exceptional work in their chosen field of law. Continue reading ›

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FINRA’s arbitration process has an increased focus after a recent court ruling found that the process wasn’t entirely as neutral as the agency claims. In February, two former Wells Fargo customers won a court decision against Wells Fargo that ruled the bank had been involved in subtle manipulation of FINRA’s arbitration process. The customer showed in court that a Wells Fargo attorney had a “secret agreement” with FINRA to keep plaintiff-friendly arbitrators out of his cases to increase his chances of winning. His increased wins saw customers lose their cases due to an unfair advantage. Wells Fargo is now appealing the decision. Now increased scrutiny on FINRA and its alleged neutrality has also called into question their entire dispute resolution process.FINRA’s arbitration process has an increased focus after a recent court ruling found that the process wasn’t entirely as neutral as the agency claims.

In February, two former Wells Fargo customers won a court decision against Wells Fargo that ruled the bank had been involved in subtle manipulation of FINRA’s arbitration process. The customer showed in court that a Wells Fargo attorney had a “secret agreement” with FINRA to keep plaintiff-friendly arbitrators out of his cases to increase his chances of winning. His increased wins saw customers lose their cases due to an unfair advantage. Wells Fargo is now appealing the decision. Continue reading ›

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