A National Securities Arbitration & Investment Fraud Law Firm

$70 MILLION Recovery for Investment Fraud
$44 MILLION Recovery for Ponzi Scheme Victims
$25 MILLION Recovery Against National Brokerage Firm
$9.1 MILLION FINRA Arbitration Award Against Brokerage Firm
$7.9 MILLION Securities Arbitration Award Against Stockbroker
$1 MILLION Securities Arbitration Award for Elder Financial Fraud
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Public Justice

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On February 4, 2021, a federal indictment was unsealed against three GPB Capital insiders: David Gentile, Jeffry Schneider, and Jeffrey Lash. Gentile was the founder, owner, and CEO of GPB Capital, Schneider was the CEO of Ascendant Capital, the placement agent for GPB, and Lash was a managing partner of GPB Capital primarily responsible for overseeing GPB’s investments in car dealerships. GPB Capital is a New York-based alternative asset manager that raised over $1.8 billion dollars from investors across the United States.  GPB offered a series of limited partnership deals, including: GPB Holdings, LP; GPB Holdings II, LP; GPB Automotive Portfolio, LP; GPB Waste Management, LP, and GPB Cold Storage, LP.  GPB was sold by a vast network of brokerage firms who promised protection of principal investment, a steady dividend payment, and major upside if GPB went public. GPB’s funds have not paid any distributions since 2018, have substantially declined in principal value, and are illiquid, meaning investors are stuck in these funds with no way to sell and/or recoup their losses.On February 4, 2021, a federal indictment was unsealed against three GPB Capital insiders: David Gentile, Jeffry Schneider, and Jeffrey Lash. Gentile was the founder, owner, and CEO of GPB Capital, Schneider was the CEO of Ascendant Capital, the placement agent for GPB, and Lash was a managing partner of GPB Capital primarily responsible for overseeing GPB’s investments in car dealerships. Continue reading ›

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On February 4, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it charged three people and their affiliated entities with running a “Ponzi-like scheme” that raised more than $1.7 billion by selling private placements issued by alternative asset management firm GPB Capital Holdings. Silver Law Group represents investors in claims against the broker-dealers who sold GPB to investors. Claims to recover investment losses allege that the broker-dealers failed to conduct adequate due diligence on the investment, among other causes. Our securities fraud attorneys have already filed multiple FINRA arbitration claims. Silver Law Group reportedly filed the first GPB-related stockbroker arbitration claim in 2019.  Since that time, our attorneys have recovered substantial damages for investors around the country. The SEC action further demonstrates the gross misconduct allegedly at GPB and although most brokerage firms refused to sell GPB, investors have alleged that the selling brokerage firms failed to do adequate due diligence or turned a blind eye to red flags because GPB paid substantial commissions to the selling stockbrokers.On February 4, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it charged three people and their affiliated entities with running a “Ponzi-like scheme” that raised more than $1.7 billion by selling private placements issued by alternative asset management firm GPB Capital Holdings. Continue reading ›

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A FINRA arbitration panel has awarded customers of Arete Wealth Management $515,000 for investment losses in risky GPB Capital Holdings private placements. The award is notable because Arete was ordered to pay $259,000 in client legal fees, which is not typical in FINRA arbitration awards. Arete Wealth Management, a broker-dealer based in Chicago with 35 offices, is known to sell high-risk alternative investments. Silver Law Group filed a FINRA arbitration claim against Arete on behalf of an elderly client who we alleged was sold unsuitable leveraged ETNs, ETFs, and non-traded REITS. Among the investments that caused our client significant losses were: American Finance Trust, Hospitality Investors Trust, and Benefit Partners Realty Trust. GPB Capital Holdings FINRA arbitration claims have been piling up against GPB Capital Holdings, a New York-based alternative asset management firm that raised $1.8 billion since its founding in 2013 by Scientologist David Gentile.A FINRA arbitration panel has awarded customers of Arete Wealth Management $515,000 for investment losses in risky GPB Capital Holdings private placements. The award is notable because Arete was ordered to pay $259,000 in client legal fees, which is not typical in FINRA arbitration awards. Continue reading ›

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Social media has become an integral part of modern culture. It’s the place where we can keep in touch with friends, relatives, and people you met long ago. You can meet people with shared interests, learn new things, swap stories, and ask for advice. Facebook, LinkedIn, and other similar sites have group functions for like-minded people to gather to share and discuss. Silver Law Group’s managing partner, Scott Silver, is a frequent news commentator speaking about current events relating to investing. Scott appeared in multiple news outlets including CNBC discussing the trading around Gamestop and the perceived relationship between wall street v main street. Just like “reality TV” and those gossip magazines at the grocery checkout, not everything on social media is what it seems. Psychology offers many answers as to why so many people believe everything they see and read without asking questions. For instance, “influencers” are those who post frequently about their life and lifestyle, and frequently receive paid sponsorships and other compensation in return. However, not all of these “influencers” are telling the truth about their lives, and taking pictures for social media that aren’t completely accurate. Researching financial related information can be just as inaccurate no matter where it’s found. That’s why it’s important to have a strong understanding about any securities purchases you’re considering, as well as reliable sources before making any decision. This includes anything from your stockbroker and/or financial advisor. If you’re just a casual investor who doesn’t have the experience of a more sophisticated investor, you’re taking a gamble with the risk of losing not only your investment capital, but more.   The Securities And Exchange Commission recently published an investor alert discussing stock information on social media. Keep this in mind when researching stocks, securities, or other financial information.Social media has become an integral part of modern culture. It’s the place where we can keep in touch with friends, relatives, and people you met long ago. You can meet people with shared interests, learn new things, swap stories, and ask for advice. Facebook, LinkedIn, and other similar sites have group functions for like-minded people to gather to share and discuss. Continue reading ›

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Former NEXT Financial Group broker Charles Kulch (Charles Chester Kulch CRD# 2371584) is the subject of four pending customer disputes, as well as five settled disputes, according to his FINRA record. Kulch was previously registered with NEXT Financial Group, Inc. in Nashua, New Hampshire from 2006 until he left the brokerage industry in 2020. According to Kulch’s CRD Report, he was also operating Kulch Associates Inc., a tax preparation service, and Kulch Insurance Group LLC.Former NEXT Financial Group broker Charles Kulch (Charles Chester Kulch CRD# 2371584) is the subject of four pending customer disputes, as well as five settled disputes, according to his FINRA record. Kulch was previously registered with NEXT Financial Group, Inc. in Nashua, New Hampshire from 2006 until he left the brokerage industry in 2020. According to Kulch’s CRD Report, he was also operating Kulch Associates Inc., a tax preparation service, and Kulch Insurance Group LLC. Continue reading ›

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Nicholas Palumbo (Nicholas R Palumbo CRD:# 1069948, aka “Nicholas Richard Palumbo” And “Nick Palumbo”) is a previously registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Park Avenue Securities LLC (CRD#:46173) of Armonk, NY. His previous employers include Guardian Investor Services Corporation (CRD#:6635 of New York, New York, SMA Equities, Inc. (CRD#:3960), and First Investors Corporation (CRD#:305) He has been in the business since 1983. Palumbo has only one disclosure, his dismissal from Park Avenue Securities on 4/17/2020. He was permitted to resign after an investigation into an unapproved private securities transaction in which he was involved. Furthermore, he also solicited clients for this private transaction.Nicholas Palumbo (Nicholas R Palumbo CRD:# 1069948, aka “Nicholas Richard Palumbo” And “Nick Palumbo”) is a previously registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Park Avenue Securities LLC (CRD#:46173) of Armonk, NY. His previous employers include Guardian Investor Services Corporation (CRD#:6635 of New York, New York, SMA Equities, Inc. (CRD#:3960), and First Investors Corporation (CRD#:305) He has been in the business since 1983. Continue reading ›

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Thomas Fross (Thomas Michael Fross CRD:# 4509874) is a registered broker and investment advisor currently employed with LPL Financial of The Villages, FL. He was previously employed with Securities America, Inc. (CRD#:10205), also of The Villages. He has been in the industry since 2002. Fross is currently the subject of a pending dispute over the sale of a client’s securities, filed on 6/10/2020. In it, the client claims that Fross failed to follow instructions in regards to “unsuitable portfolio changes” from 3/26/20 TO 8/21/20. The client requests damages in the amount of $119,716.05. Fross responds that he denies all allegations, that he discussed everything with the customer, and the changes were made in order to move into more conservative investments.Thomas Fross (Thomas Michael Fross CRD:# 4509874) is a registered broker and investment advisor currently employed with LPL Financial of The Villages, FL. He was previously employed with Securities America, Inc. (CRD#:10205), also of The Villages. He has been in the industry since 2002. Continue reading ›

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Peter Girgis (Peter N. Girgis CRD: 4520444) is a registered broker currently employed with SW Financial (CRD#: 145012) of New York, NY. His previous employers include Worden Capital Management LLC (CRD#:148366) and Legend Securities, Inc. (CRD#:44952, expelled by FINRA, 04/17/2017), also of New York, NY, and Joseph Gunnar & Co. LLC (CRD#:24795) of Staten Island, NY. One other former employer, Brookstone Securities, Inc. (CRD#:13366) of Staten Island, was also expelled by FINRA on 10/09/2012. He has been in the industry since 2002. On 9/15/2020, FINRA filed a note to begin a preliminary determination to recommend disciplinary action against Girgis. This came after an allegation that he engaged in excessive trading and churning as well as recommended an “unsuitable active trading strategy” to his clients. FINRA has not yet taken any further action in the matter. A client dispute filed on 2/21/2017 filed against Peter Girgis alleged churning and excessive commissions on his part. The client requested damages of $21,000, and the firm settled for $4,999.00. The report is based on a notification to FINRA and a request for arbitration. Girgis’ comment indicated that because the amount was under $5,000 and settled prior to arbitration, it was not reportable to FINRA.Peter Girgis (Peter N. Girgis CRD: 4520444) is a registered broker currently employed with SW Financial (CRD#: 145012) of New York, NY. His previous employers include Worden Capital Management LLC (CRD#:148366) and Legend Securities, Inc. (CRD#:44952, expelled by FINRA, 04/17/2017), also of New York, NY, and Joseph Gunnar & Co. LLC (CRD#:24795) of Staten Island, NY. One other former employer, Brookstone Securities, Inc. (CRD#:13366) of Staten Island, was also expelled by FINRA on 10/09/2012. He has been in the industry since 2002. Continue reading ›

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Raymond Ferro (Raymond Anthony Ferro, Jr. CRD#: 1927831) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:421) of Danbury, CT. His previous employers include Next Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:46214) and LPL Financial Corporation (CRD#:6413), also of Danbury, CT, and Wachovia Securities, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Ossining, NY. He has been in the industry since 1997. Ferro is the subject of six disclosures, including a 2014 tax lien of $15,205.26. The most recent is a client dispute filed on 12/7/2020. The claimants allege that Ferro sold them unsuitable investment products, and they request damages of $600,000. This claim is pending. The next client dispute was filed on 10/26/2020. The client alleges that she gave Ferro a total of 28 personal checks for funds that were intended to be used for “unspecified investments.” The client requests damages in the amount of $140,852.00, and the claim is pending.Raymond Ferro (Raymond Anthony Ferro, Jr. CRD#: 1927831) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:421) of Danbury, CT. His previous employers include Next Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:46214) and LPL Financial Corporation (CRD#:6413), also of Danbury, CT, and Wachovia Securities, LLC (CRD#:19616) of Ossining, NY. He has been in the industry since 1997. Continue reading ›

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John Krohn (John Michael Krohn CRD#:2722975) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Principal Securities, Inc. (CRD#:1137) of West Des Moines, IA. He has been in the industry since 1996, when he began at the firm. Krohn is the subject of three client disputes with similar allegations. They first dispute was filed on 2/25/2019, with allegations that he “solicited large investments from them into venture capital companies owned, managed, or controlled at least in part by Krohn.” The client requests damages of $28,000,000.00. The second claim, filed on 2/25/2020, alleges that the firm failed to supervise John Krohn, which included selling away and his outside business activities that caused them to suffer losses. This client requests damages of $1,200,000.00.John Krohn (John Michael Krohn CRD#:2722975) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Principal Securities, Inc. (CRD#:1137) of West Des Moines, IA. He has been in the industry since 1996, when he began at the firm. Continue reading ›

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