Broker Misconduct

Fired Berthel Fisher Broker Steve Cummings’ Customers Report Investment Losses

Published on: June 10, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Ex-Alabama Financial Advisor Has Been Accused of Misrepresentations and Unsuitability

Our knowledgeable broker misconduct attorneys are investigating claims of losses by customers of ex-Berthel Fisher & Co. registered representative Steve Jeffrey Cummings. In July 2021, claimants filed a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim for $250K in damages.

The customers contend that they were sold unsuitable investments between 2010 and 2015 and that Cummings allegedly made misrepresentations to them. They believe brokerage firm Berthel Fisher failed to supervise its Alabama broker and did not conduct proper due diligence. In 2017, Berthel Fisher fired Cummings over allegations that he did not disclose tax liens in a timely fashion.

Former Customers of Calton & Associates Broker Paul Murphy Request Over $589K in Damages

Published on: May 11, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Calton & Associates Financial Advisor Accused of Unsuitability and Misrepresentations

Paul William Murphy, currently a Calton & Associates registered representative, is named in two pending customer disputes where the claimants are seeking over $589K. These latest allegations appear to stem from when Murphy was a Newport Coast Asset Management and a Newport Coast Securities broker. Newport Coast was expelled by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in 2018.

Our Florida broker misconduct lawyers investigate claims of losses by investors who have worked with Paul Murphy as their financial advisor. In Florida, call Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) at (813) 560-2992. You can also reach us nationwide at (800) 259-9010 today.

Barred Ex-Wells Fargo Broker Jeremy Fortner is Named in Nine Customer Disputes

Published on: May 6, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Ex-Wells Fargo Broker Jeremy Fortner Allegedly Borrowed Money From Clients

Our broker misconduct lawyers investigate claims of losses involving former customers of ex-Wells Fargo Advisors registered representative Jeremy Fortner. The broker-dealer fired him in August 2021 in the wake of allegations that he inappropriately borrowed funds.

In November 2021, with a starting date of March 3, 2022, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) permanently barred Fortner after he did not respond to requests for information into its investigation. Jeremy Fortner was a registered broker and investment adviser for 16 years.

Another Mexican Investor Pursues JP Morgan Securities Over Omnia/Old Mutual (Bermuda) Losses

Published on: April 1, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Senior Investor’s Funds Were 100% Concentrated in Risky Offshore Investment

Our Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) investment lawyers have filed yet another FINRA arbitration claim against J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC (JPMS) over losses suffered by a foreign national. The claimant is a nun and elderly investor from Mexico who entrusted her inheritance to the firm.

Instead, her J.P. Morgan Securities broker unsuitably recommended the now-defunct Omnia Ltd., previously called Old Mutual (Bermuda)/Beechwood.

Ex-Kestra Broker Chadwick Collins’ Customers Seek Over $3.3M in Damages

Published on: March 23, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Stone Beacon Capital CEO Faces Unsuitability and Negligence Allegations

If you suffered investment losses while working with financial advisor Chadwick Charles Collins, please contact our California broker misconduct attorneys at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) today at (619) 550-4847.

Collins, who was a Kestra Investment Services stockbroker and Kestra Private Wealth investment advisor from January 2017 to February 2022, is now with Wedbush Securities. He is also the CEO of Stone Beacon Capital. According to Chadwick Collins’ BrokerCheck record, he is currently named in two pending customer disputes in which the claimants are collectively requesting more than $3.3M in damages.

McNally Financial Services Broker Mark Kemp Has Been Named in 11 Customer Disputes

Published on: January 6, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Corpus Christi Financial Advisor is Accused of Negligence, Misrepresentations

Our Texas broker misconduct lawyers are looking into claims of losses by customers of Mark Alan Kemp, who is currently a McNally Financial Services registered representative. Mark Kemp, who has been in the industry for 30 years, has been named in nearly a dozen customer disputes, three of which are still pending.

If you are one of these investors, please contact us at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) today. We can determine whether you have grounds for a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim to pursue damages.

MML Investors Services Broker Daniel Lauletta Named in $1M Customer Dispute

Published on: December 2, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Ohio Financial Advisor is Accused of Negligence and Unsuitability

Daniel James Lauletta, an MML Investors Services stockbroker and investment advisor, is currently named in three pending customer disputes, including one in which the claimant is requesting $1M in damages. The Broadview, Ohio financial advisor has worked in the industry for 25 years.

Our broker misconduct attorneys are looking into further claims of losses by current and former customers of Daniel Lauletta. Please contact Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) so that we can help you determine whether you have grounds for a FINRA arbitration case to recover damages.

Ex-Worden Capital Management John Cangialosi Ordered to Pay $271,622 in Customer Restitution

Published on: November 3, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

FINRA Suspends New York-Based Financial Advisor for Nine Months

John Sebastion Cangialosi, currently an SW Financial broker, was suspended by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in September 2021 for nine months. The broker was ordered to pay $271,622 in restitution for allegedly engaging in unsuitable trading in three customer accounts during his time as a Worden Capital broker.

The New York-based financial advisor has consented to the sanctions but without denying or admitting to the findings. Cangialosi also must pay a civil/administrative fee of $7,500.

SEC Accuses Fired Wells Fargo Broker Kenneth Welsh of Stealing Nearly $3M From Customers

Published on: November 1, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Senior Citizens Were Among Former Fairfield, NJ Financial Advisor’s Alleged Victims

Kenneth Andrews Welsh, an ex-Wells Fargo Clearing Services broker, is now facing Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges accusing him of misappropriating at least $2.86 million from brokerage firm customers and advisory clients.

Allegedly the financial advisor used victims’ money (including senior citizens) to pay credit card bills and buy precious metals, including gold coins.

SEC Files Fraud Charges Against Barred Broker Michael Shillin Who Is Named In 37 Disputes

Published on: October 11, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Former Wisconsin Financial Advisor is Accused of Defrauding at Least 100 Advisory Clients

Michael Francis Shillin, who was barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Wisconsin’s Officer of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) in January 2021, is now facing Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges.

The regulator is accusing the previously registered broker and investment advisor of defrauding at least 100 investment advisory clients, including many elderly investors. The SEC brought its case in September 2021.