Broker Misconduct

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Investigates Customer Claims Involving Former LPL Financial Broker Mark Lamkin

Published on: April 8, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Former LPL Financial Broker Borrowed $1.3M From Customer Without Notifying Firm

Mark Lamkin, an ex-LPL Financial representative, has been suspended by the FINRA for three months. Lamkin, who is now a Calton & Associates broker, is accused of borrowing $1.3M in total from an LPL Financial Services customer between 2011 and 2017 without getting written approval from or notifying the broker-dealer. This is not the first time he is accused of broker misconduct.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) is investigating claims involving Mark Lamkin, who has been a registered representative for 28 years. Contact our stockbroker fraud attorneys today.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Investigates Investor Losses Involving VelocityShares 3x Long Crude Oil ETN (UWT)

Published on: April 2, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Energy Exchange Traded Products Including VelocityShare 3x Long Crude Oil ETN Tank

As market volatility continues to wreak havoc on different investments in the wake of COVID-19, our securities fraud lawyers at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) are fighting for investors needing to recover their losses.

Last month, a huge market-sell off caused Leveraged Energy Traded Products (ETPs), including the VelocityShares 3x Long Crude Oil ETN (UWT), to plunge in value.

Ex-Kestra Financial Broker Involved in Investor Fraud Claims and Accused of Unauthorized Trading

Published on: March 25, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Barred Kestra Investment Services Stockbroker Accused of Unauthorized Trading

Our investor fraud lawyers at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) are currently speaking with former customers of ex-Kestra Investment Services broker, James Blake Daughtry. He was recently barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

The self-regulatory organization (SRO) issued the ban after Daughtry refused to testify during its investigation into allegations that he may have engaged in transactions that were potentially “fraudulent and unauthorized” in a number of customers’ accounts. Also, in the wake of FINRA’s order, Kestra fired him this month.

Broker Fraud and Investment Losses During The Time of The Coronavirus

Published on: March 20, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Investment Losses During Recent Market Crisis May Be Recoverable

Investors throughout the United States are grappling with financial investment losses as markets continue to remain volatile in the wake of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The recent oil price drops, the rise in unemployment as businesses are forced to shutter and lay off employees, and a flailing economy has done nothing to assuage growing concerns.

Already, Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) has spoken to a number of these investors to see how we might help.

SSEK Investigates Stockbroker Misconduct Claims Involving Ex-Commonwealth Capital Broker Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott

Published on: February 26, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Ex-Commonwealth Capital Broker Was Accused Of Misusing Investors’ Money

If you or someone you know lost money while working with former Commonwealth Capital broker, Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott, please contact our stockbroker fraud lawyers at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas so we can determine whether you have grounds for a claim.

In 2013, Springsteen-Abbott was accused by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) of misusing about $345K of investor funds to pay for her own expenses. These included home renovations, meals, travel, and other items.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Investigates Claims Involving Ex-First Allied Securities Broker Masood Azad

Published on: February 25, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Ex-Broker and First Allied Securities Accused in $1M Investor Fraud Case

Masood Husain Azad, a former Texas-based broker, is now the subject of an over $1M investor fraud claim. Also known as Mike Azad, he was fired by First Allied Securities in 2017. Now, First Allied Securities is a respondent in this Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration case, which was brought by a customer.

At Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm), our broker fraud lawyers are offering a free, no obligation case assessment to former customers of Masood Azad who suffered investment losses that they suspect may be due to fraud or negligence. Contact SSEK Law Firm today.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Investigates Investor Claims Involving Ex- Broker Ma Rosa Linan Abrego and Merrill Lynch

Published on: February 19, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Fired Merrill Lynch Broker Barred By FINRA Indefinitely

If you were an investor who sustained losses while working with Ma Rosa Linan Abrego, contact Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas, LLP (SSEK Law Firm) today. Our brokerage firm misconduct lawyers work with clients who have suffered financial losses due to the negligent, fraudulent or other wrongful actions of their financial representatives.

Ma Rosa Linan Abrego, based out of McAllen, Texas, was terminated by Merrill Lynch and recently barred indefinitely by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) from working as a financial advisor/stockbroker.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Investigates Former Berthel Fisher Broker Mason Gann

Published on: February 4, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Suspended Broker Accused of Making Unsuitable Recommendations to Retiree

If you sustained investment losses while working with ex-Berthel Fisher broker Mason Gann, contact our stockbroker fraud attorneys at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) today. Gann, who is not a registered broker at this time, is serving a three-month suspension imposed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The self-regulatory organization (SRO) found that he made unsuitable recommendations in the account of an elderly retiree.

According to the self-regulatory organization (SRO), between 8/2015 and 1/2018, Gann recommended that this investor employ a high-risk options trading strategy. This retiree, who was in his 70’s at the time, not only had “modest retirement savings” and “limited income,” but he was also an inexperienced investor. FINRA contends that Gann did not have reasonable grounds for making such recommendations to this particular customer.

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Investigates Ex-Cetera Advisors Broker Roger Owens

Published on: January 30, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Fired Cetera Advisors Broker Accused Of Unauthorized Securities Sales

Our stockbroker fraud attorneys are speaking to former clients of former Cetera Advisors LLC broker, Roger Lee Owens that sustained substantial investment losses while working with him. Contact Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm) today to schedule your free, no-obligation case consultation.

Cetera Advisors fired Roger Owens last year for allegedly taking part in unapproved private securities transactions. A few months later, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suspended Owens for a year, through August 2020, for the same reasons.

Merrill Lynch Ordered to Pay $1.7 Million in Puerto Rico Bond Fraud Case Involving Broker Alex Gierbolini

Published on: January 27, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Merrill Lynch Fined For Involvement In Puerto Rico Bond Fraud Case

In a recent award, a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has decided that Merrill Lynch must pay a former professional baseball player and his wife $1.7 million in compensatory damages, plus $88,758 in costs, for losses they sustained from investing in Puerto Rico bonds and closed-end bond funds.

The retired MLB player is Angel Pagan and his wife is Windy Pagan, a former Ms. Puerto Rico. Angel was an outfielder for the NY Mets, the Chicago Cubs, and the San Francisco Giants before retiring to live on the island.