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According to FINRA Disciplinary actions for July 2021, 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
  David Allen   Avenir Financial Group
  GunnAllen Financial, Inc.
  Jameile Cawley   Horace Mann Investors, Inc.
  LPL Financial LLC
  Bradley Gardner   LPL Financial LLC
  Golden State Wealth Management, LLC
  Brian O’Neill   Fisher Investments
  ProFunds Distributors, Inc.

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When a person or entity runs any type of fraud, they generally go to great lengths to disguise their activities from the financial institutions to avoid fraud detection. Many banks have the power to put a stop to any illegal activity that involves their institution to avoid regulatory trouble. Wells Fargo is facing a lawsuit for failing to stop illegal activity to prevent a fraud. Four investors filed suit on Friday, August 23, 2021, allege that a recently discovered Ponzi scheme used accounts at Wells Fargo Bank. Additionally, the bank did nothing and allowed the scheme to continue defrauding investors. The plaintiffs accuse Wells Fargo of “aiding and abetting” the scheme. The Securites And Exchange Commission (SEC) has also become involved, filing its own lawsuit against the company committing fraud.   MJ Capital Funds, MJ Taxes And More Headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, MJ Capital Funding claimed to offer “merchant cash advances” to small businesses to help them with cash flow. Touting a “simplified 4 step process,” the company’s website says it helps small and medium sized businesses who needed funding.When a person or entity runs any type of fraud, they generally go to great lengths to disguise their activities from the financial institutions to avoid fraud detection. Many banks have the power to put a stop to any illegal activity that involves their institution to avoid regulatory trouble. Wells Fargo is facing a lawsuit for failing to stop illegal activity to prevent a fraud. Continue reading ›

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Waterdrop Inc. (WDH) is the subject of a class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of shareholders, regarding alleged violations of the federal securities laws. If you have investment losses with Waterdrop Inc. (WDH), please contact Silver Law Group at (800) 975-4345 or at ssilver@silverlaw.com. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff (class representative) is November 15, 2021. Waterdrop is a Chinese company founded in 2016 that operates medical crowdfunding platforms and provides online insurance brokerage services. The company is backed by Chinese tech conglomerate Tencent, which is a minority owner. Waterdrop IPO Waterdrop held its initial public offering (IPO) in May, 2021 selling 30 million shares at $12 per share. Representatives for the underwriters were Goldman Sachs (Asia), Morgan Stanley, and BofA Securities. On June 17, 2021, Waterdrop reported financial results for the quarter closed before the IPO that stated that the company’s operating costs and expenses had increased to $205.1 million and that the company had an operating loss for the quarter of $70.3 million, which was four times higher than the same quarter the prior year.Waterdrop Inc. (WDH) is the subject of a class action lawsuit, filed on behalf of shareholders, regarding alleged violations of the federal securities laws.

If you have investment losses with Waterdrop Inc. (WDH), please contact Silver Law Group at (800) 975-4345 or at ssilver@silverlaw.com. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff (class representative) is November 15, 2021. Continue reading ›

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Activision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI) is the subject of a class action lawsuit regarding alleged violations of the federal securities laws. If you purchased shares of Activision Blizzard between August 4, 2016 and July 27, 2021 (class period), please contact Silver Law Group before October 4, 2021 at (800) 975-4345 or at ssilver@silverlaw.com. Activision Blizzard is a publicly-traded gaming and interactive entertainment company whose products include franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush. Activision Blizzard Allegedly Discriminated Against Women And Minorities Following an investigation by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the agency filed a lawsuit against the company that alleged discrimination against female employees regarding compensation, conditions of employment, promotion, and other terms, and failed to prevent harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Almost 1,000 current and former Activision Blizzard employees signed a letter calling the company’s response to the lawsuit “abhorrent and insulting”. Current and former employees publicly shared allegations of discrimination. Some gaming outlets stopped covering games released by the company. The class action lawsuit filed against Activision Blizzard alleges that the company was at greater risk of legal and regulatory scrutiny that could negatively impact the company, that the company failed to tell shareholders about the investigation by California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and that as a result, the company’s statements about its business and prospects were materially false and misleading.Activision Blizzard, Inc. (ATVI) is the subject of a class action lawsuit regarding alleged violations of the federal securities laws.

If you purchased shares of Activision Blizzard between August 4, 2016 and July 27, 2021 (class period), please contact Silver Law Group before October 4, 2021 at (800) 975-4345 or at ssilver@silverlaw.com. Continue reading ›

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In 2020 alone, Todd Petersen was the subject of eight investor arbitration claims which relate to the sale of diamonds. Many of these claims have been settled, and Petersen’s employer, SCF Securities, Inc., discharged him, alleging Petersen “misstated and/or omitted material facts and circumstances regarding an outside business activity.” Todd Petersen is a former broker and investment adviser who spent 2015-2019 at SCF Securities, Inc. in Roseville, California, and began working in the securities industry in 1984. Customer Disputes Allege Improper Sales Of Diamonds According to Petersen’s BrokerCheck Report, published by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, eight investors have filed FINRA arbitration claims involving allegations of “fraud and breach of duty related to the purchase of diamonds Petersen sold . . .” These investors requested damages ranging from $20,000 to $960,000, and several of these claims were settled for amounts ranging from $9,800 to $351,205. One investor’s claim is still pending. The allegations all arise out of the purchase and sale of diamonds and each investor alleges that the diamond sales were part of an “outside business activity.” Brokers are required to disclose the nature of their outside business activities to their employing brokerage firms so that the firms can ensure that they are upholding their legal and regulatory obligations to their clients, including protecting clients from outside frauds and other misconduct committed by the brokers, especially when outside business activities are investment-related. Failure to do so could result in liability for brokerage firms.In 2020 alone, Todd Petersen was the subject of eight investor arbitration claims which relate to the sale of diamonds. Many of these claims have been settled, and Petersen’s employer, SCF Securities, Inc., discharged him, alleging Petersen “misstated and/or omitted material facts and circumstances regarding an outside business activity.” Continue reading ›

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HyreCar, Inc. (HYRE) is the subject of a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of shareholders regarding alleged violations of the federal securities laws. If you purchased shares of HyreCar between May 14, 2021 and August 10, 2021 (class period), please contact Silver Law Group at (800) 975-4345 or at ssilver@silverlaw.com. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff (class representative) is October 26, 2021. HyreCar is a publicly-traded Los Angeles-based company that operates a car sharing marketplace, which allows car owners to rent their cars to drivers for ride-share services like Uber and Lyft. HyreCar Press Release Causes Stock To Fall After market close on August 10, 2021, HyreCar stated in a press release that in Q2 2021 the company had net losses of $9.3 million. The company’s adjusted EBITDA loss was $7.1 million, which was more than four times higher than the $1.7 million adjusted EBITDA loss in the same quarter of the previous year. According to the press release, gross profit for Q2 2021 was $0.8 million, which was less than one third what it was in the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time the press release was issued, HyreCar filed a 10-Q with the SEC, which disclosed increasing costs of revenue during the quarter, which was attributed to higher insurance claims incidence.HyreCar, Inc. (HYRE) is the subject of a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of shareholders regarding alleged violations of the federal securities laws.

If you purchased shares of HyreCar between May 14, 2021 and August 10, 2021 (class period), please contact Silver Law Group at (800) 975-4345 or at ssilver@silverlaw.com. The deadline to apply to be lead plaintiff (class representative) is October 26, 2021. Continue reading ›

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Longveron, Inc., (LGVN) is being investigated by Silver Law Group regarding potential claims for investors in the company to recover losses. The investigation concerns potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you have losses from investing in Longveron Inc. (LGVN) contact Silver Law Group for a no-cost consultation at (800) 975-4345 or at ssilver@silverlaw.com. Longveron, Inc. is a publicly traded company focusing on biotechnology and specializing in stem cell research. The company is developing various therapies to treat aging-related disorders such as Alzhiemer’s. The company is using allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to create regenerative medicine for a number of conditions related to aging, including metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, age-related frailty, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (a rare congenital heart defect in children). The company’s premier drug, Lomecel-B, an infusion drug, is made from medicinal signaling cells from healthy bone marrow from adult donors. Lomecel-B is designed to specifically treat aging frailty. In addition, Lomecel-B is also seen as a possible treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which can affect patients with COVID-19 as well as influenza. ARDS has a very limited course of treatment, with ventilators as the most common.Longveron, Inc., (LGVN) is being investigated by Silver Law Group regarding potential claims for investors in the company to recover losses. The investigation concerns potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you have losses from investing in Longveron Inc. (LGVN) contact Silver Law Group for a no-cost consultation at (800) 975-4345 or at ssilver@silverlaw.com. Continue reading ›

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On August 13, 2021, a FINRA arbitration panel ordered Respondent HighTower Securities LLC to fully refund its investor-customer’s purchases of GPB Automotive Portfolio LP and GBP Waste Management LP, which the investor had made in reliance upon the advice and recommendations of HighTower Securities. That investor presented substantial evidence to the FINRA arbitration panel that HighTower Securities failed in its obligations to conduct adequate due diligence regarding GPB Capital and its affiliates. The SEC has charged GPB Capital and its affiliates with running a “Ponzi-like” scheme that raised approximately $1.8 billion. Much of that total was invested in the following funds: GPB Holdings, LP / GPB Holdings Qualified, LP GPB Automotive Portfolio, LP GPB Holdings II, LP GPB Waste Management, LP / Armada Waste Management, LP Financial advisors such as HighTower Securities LLC are being found responsible for investors’ GPB losses based upon evidence that they failed in their obligations to adequately investigate GPB and/or turned a blind eye to red flags concerning GPB’s finances and business operations when recommending GPB funds to their clients. Broker-dealers are supposed to recommend only suitable investments to their clients and perform due diligence on the products they sell. FINRA-registered brokers and firms are subject to arbitration to resolve disputes.On August 13, 2021, a FINRA arbitration panel ordered Respondent HighTower Securities LLC to fully refund its investor-customer’s purchases of GPB Automotive Portfolio LP and GBP Waste Management LP, which the investor had made in reliance upon the advice and recommendations of HighTower Securities. That investor presented substantial evidence to the FINRA arbitration panel that HighTower Securities failed in its obligations to conduct adequate due diligence regarding GPB Capital and its affiliates. Continue reading ›

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The SEC has sued investor John J. Woods of Marietta, GA, over allegations that his company, Southport Capital Investment, were running a Ponzi scheme called Horizon Private Equity. In its petition, the SEC requested a temporary restraining order to stop Woods from continuing to operate both his company and the Horizon investment fund. As with other Ponzi-style schemes, investors were told that that their investments would bring 6% to 7% rates of return, and funds not used to pay previous investors. More than 400 investors in 20 different states, many of them elderly, have invested in Horizon, expecting that kind of return. Unfortunately, those who have received “returns” were simply paid from the inflow of funds from newly acquired investors. Wood is the president and majority owner of Southport, which is registered with the SEC as Livingston Group Asset Management Company, Inc. According to filings, he operates the company from his Marietta base and maintains 17 offices in nine states with remote employees, managing over $824 in investments for the firm’s client base. Woods’ brother and cousin are also involved in the company.The SEC has sued investor John J. Woods of Marietta, GA, over allegations that his company, Southport Capital Investment, were running a Ponzi scheme called Horizon Private Equity. In its petition, the SEC requested a temporary restraining order to stop Woods from continuing to operate both his company and the Horizon investment fund. Continue reading ›

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Peter Ianace (Peter Vincent Ianace CRD# 3238078) was a registered broker and investment adviser who most recently was registered with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, but spent 2011-2019 as a registered representative of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated in Frisco, Texas. Ianace has been in the securities industry since 1999. Two Pending Investment Arbitration Claims Allege “Unsuitable” Investment Recommendations According to Ianace’s BrokerCheck Report, published by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), two of Ianace’s customers recently initiated securities arbitrations—one against Wells Fargo and one against Merrill Lynch—relating to the alleged mishandling of their accounts: One customer alleges Ianace “made unsuitable recommendations and neglected to reduce the over-concentrated and over-leveraged nature of their accounts” resulting in alleged damages of $13,000,000. Another customer alleges “unsuitable investment recommendations and misrepresentations” resulting in requested damages of $18,000,000. According to FINRA, the types of investments allegedly at issue include commodities. Regardless of the type of investment, FINRA Rules require brokers to have “a reasonable basis to believe a recommended transaction or investment strategy involving a security or securities is suitable” based on a variety of factors, including the investor’s age, financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance etc. FINRA also requires brokers to “Know Your Customer” so that brokers learn and evaluate these factors before making investment recommendations.Peter Ianace (Peter Vincent Ianace CRD# 3238078) was a registered broker and investment adviser who most recently was registered with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, but spent 2011-2019 as a registered representative of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated in Frisco, Texas. Ianace has been in the securities industry since 1999. Continue reading ›

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