Misrepresentations and Omissions

Securities Litigation Lawyers

Published on: December 30, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

What Can You Expect When You Hire Our Seasoned Securities Litigation Lawyers?

With over 30 years representing investors, Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (investorlawyers.com) offer unparalleled experience in securities litigation while providing personalized attention to each of our clients. We work with retail investors, retirees, accredited investors, wealthy investors, and institutional investors that have suffered significant investment losses due to broker negligence or misconduct in pursuing damages from their broker-dealers. Our SEC fraud attorneys have gone up against the largest brokerage firms on Wall Street to secure settlements and win arbitration awards for our clients.

When you retain our services, you gain the insight, skills, and experience of not just one attorney, but of an entire team of knowledgeable securities arbitration lawyers along with skilled staff, including paralegals, legal secretaries, consultants, and assistants. Many of us have previous experience working in other areas of the securities industry, including as account managers and brokers at large Wall Street firms. It is because of what we witnessed in terms of unsavory broker-dealer misconduct and negligence, and how these behaviors harmed investors, that we are now fighting on the side of clients like you. Not only that, but unlike many other securities fraud law firms for which representing investors is just one area of their business, this is our sole area of practice and we’ve been here doing this for a very long time.

Emerson Equity Broker Tony Barouti Facing $1.37M in GWG L Bond Claims

Published on: May 16, 2022 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Los Angeles-Based Financial Advisor Allegedly Targeted Customers of Iranian Heritage

In an earlier GWG L Bond blog post, our securities attorneys reported we were looking into whether customers of Emerson Equity broker Tony Barouti had suffered losses in these high-yield bonds. In March 2022, investors filed two investor claims seeking $1.37M in damages.

Brokerage firm Emerson Equity is the managing broker-dealer for the GWG issuer of $1.6B of L bonds, backed by life settlements. On April 20, 2022, GWG Holdings, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The move came just two months after the Texas-based alternative asset firm defaulted on $13.6M in bond payments and interest it owed L Bond investors.

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.

Customers of Western International Securities Broker Peter Steege Allege Unsuitability

Published on: October 18, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Denver, Colorado Financial Advisor Has 21 Disclosures on BrokerCheck

If you suffered losses while working with Western International Securities registered investment advisor Peter Benedict Steege, our Denver, Colorado broker misconduct lawyers want to speak with you. Steege, who has been with this firm for 19 years, has 21 disclosures listed on BrokerCheck. Most of them are customer disputes. However, Steege was also named in a former criminal case (now dismissed) that alleged petty theft and a few regulatory disputes.

Our Denver broker negligence lawyers represent investors throughout the state and the rest of the US in their Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claims over losses they sustained due to the wrongful or careless actions of their financial advisors. In Colorado, call SSEK Law Firm at (720) 439-2827. You can also reach us nationwide at (800) 259-9010.

American Trust Investment Services Broker Austin Dutton Named in 26 Investor Disputes

Published on: September 17, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Pennsylvania Financial Advisor is Accused of Making Unsuitable Recommendations

Austin Richard Dutton, Jr., an American Trust Investment Services stockbroker, is currently the subject of a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration case. The self-regulatory organization (SRO) has made a preliminary determination to recommend disciplinary action against him. The Doylestown, PA financial advisor is accused of violating FINRA Rules 2111, 2010, and 4511.

FINRA announced its preliminary determination involving Dutton in March 2021. FINRA Rule 2111 has to do with suitability and requires broker-dealers and their registered representatives to only make recommendations that are suitable for each customer. Rule 2010 mandates that members abide by high standards of commercial honor and fair and equitable principles of trade. Rule 4511 requires FINRA members to make records and books and preserve them for at least six years.

Customers Seeking $1.8M Over Investments Recommended By Western International Securities’ David Bibo

Published on: January 26, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

California Stockbroker Accused Of Unsuitability & Misrepresentations

David Omori Bibo, a Western International Securities, Inc. registered representative is named in two pending customer disputes collectively seeking $1.8M in damages. The San Jose broker has been part of the industry for 25 years. He has seven disclosures on his BrokerCheck record.

Our California securities fraud lawyers are looking into investor claims involving Western International Securities broker, David Bibo, or any other registered representative from the firm. Contact Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) today so that we can help you determine whether you have grounds for a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration case to recover your losses.

SunTrust Brokers May Have Unsuitably Recommended Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) to Investors

Published on: January 14, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Customers Claim That Northstar Financial Services Products Were Touted As Low Risk & Safe

If you are an investor who suffered losses while investing in Northstar Financial Services products that were recommended to you by a SunTrust Investment Services stockbroker, please contact Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm investorlawyers.com) today so that we can help you explore your legal options.

Unfortunately, there are financial advisors who may have marketed Northstar Financial Services’ investments as stable, safe, low risk, and liquid – like a CD or a money market account – even when that has proven to be far from the case. Now, Northstar Financial Services is in bankruptcy and undergoing liquidation proceedings. It is very likely that investors have lost most of, if not their entire, investment.

Ex-Merrill Lynch Broker Gets Eight Years in Prison For Investor Fraud

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

Former Kentucky-Based Merrill Lynch Broker Gets Eight Years in Prison

Christopher Lee Hibbard, a former stockbroker for Merrill Lynch and Pierce, Fenner & Smith is sentenced to eight years in prison. The ex-Kentucky stockbroker pleaded guilty to investment fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud earlier this year.

Hibbard, who worked 18 years in the industry, has 14 disclosures on his BrokerCheck record, including several pending customer disputes. All of them, including the regulator and criminal cases, were filed over the last two years.

Spartan Capital Securities Broker Joseph Kelly Is Accused of Making Unsuitable Investment Recommendations

Published on: November 24, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

New York Stockbroker is Named in Multiple Customer Disputes

If you suffered substantial losses from investments recommended to you by Spartan Capital Securities broker Joseph Kelly, you may have grounds for filing a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim to recover your losses.

Kelly, who is based in New York, is the subject of three pending customer complaints seeking damages. He has been with Spartan Capital Securities since 2017 and before that from 2013 to 2016. At Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm), our New York securities fraud attorneys would be happy to offer you a free case assessment. Contact us at (716) 261-3529 today.

Sierra Income Investors are Losing Money

Published on: November 17, 2020 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Risky, Illiquid Business Development Company Was Not Suitable for Many Investors

If you are someone who invested in the Sierra Income Corporation, you may have lost money. This business development company (BDC) is a non-traded investment.

Earlier this year, Sierra Income suffered losses after its announced merger with Medley Capital Corp. and Medley Management Inc. was terminated because of the economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Not long after that, the company announced that it was suspending monthly distributions.