Investor Lawyers Blog

Former Worden Capital Broker Allan Montalbano Faces $543K Unsuitability Case For Broker Negligence

Published on: October 25, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Ex-New York Financial Advisor Has 15 Customer Disputes on BrokerCheck

If you suffered investment losses while working with ex-Worden Capital Management stockbroker Allan Perry Montalbano, contact our New York financial advisor misconduct attorneys at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com). Montalbano, who is no longer a registered broker or investment advisor, has 16 disclosures on BrokerCheck. Out of these, 15 are customer disputes.

Call our New York broker misconduct attorneys at (716) 261-3529. Throughout the US call SSEK Law Firm at (800) 259-2010.

Former LPL Financial Broker James Couture Rejects Plea Deal Over Misappropriation Allegations

Published on: October 22, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Massachusetts Broker Accused of Defrauding Customers of $3M

James Kenneth Couture, an ex-LPL Financial registered representative, was arrested in July 2021 after turning down a plea deal related to criminal charges that accused him of stealing $3M from investors. Following his decision not to accept the deal, a grand jury added additional criminal counts to the charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, as well as an investment advisor fraud charge. Couture has pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges and was released without bond.

At the time, Couture was an LPL Financial broker until that broker-dealer fired him in June 2020. He was also a Massachusetts-based investment advisor who ran the Private Wealth Management Group and shell company Legacy Financial Group.

Florida Retirees File $2.5M FINRA Arbitration Case Against Henley & Co. Over Alleged Ponzi Scam Losses

Published on: October 21, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Deceased New York Broker Philip Incorvia May Have Defrauded Investors

A retired couple living in Florida has filed a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claim against broker-dealer Henley & Co. over losses they suffered while working with Philip Robert Incorvia as their registered financial advisor. Incorvia, who died in August 2021, was a registered representative with the firm for over 15 years until his passing. He also ran Jefferson Resources, Inc. in Shoreham, New York.

Our Ponzi fraud attorneys at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) are speaking with investors who suffered losses while working with ex-Henley & Co. broker Philip Incorvia. He may have defrauded more than 15 East Coast investors in his alleged Ponzi scheme.

FINRA Probes Broker-Dealers’ Activities Related to SPACs

Published on: October 19, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Popular With Retail Investors, Shell Companies That Raise Capital Through Own IPOs Can Be Risky

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has started a thorough examination of the activities of brokerage firms in relation to special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). These shell companies raise funds through their own IPOs and have up to two years to select and acquire a private company that will go public via merger. They are popular among retail investors seeking to make money from private companies whose shares they otherwise wouldn’t be able to buy because they don’t satisfy certain wealth or income thresholds.

However, SPACs have come under increasing scrutiny from FINRA in the wake of their growing popularity, because of the risks and potential harm they can pose for retail investors. Our skilled SPAC investment attorneys at Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (SSEK Law Firm at investorlawyers.com) are investigating claims of losses by investors whose brokerage firm unsuitably recommended a special purpose acquisition vehicle or did not fully apprise them of the risks involved. Contact SSEK Law Firm at (800) 259-9010 today

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.

GPB Capital Founder David Gentile Claims Firm Owes Him Millions of Dollars

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

Alternative Asset Firm’s Former CEO Wants Money Despite Facing Criminal Fraud Charges

David Gentile, the founder of GPB Capital Holdings LLC, is requesting that a district court grant him supervised mediation as he attempts to secure millions of dollars that he claims the alternative asset firm owes him as owner and general partner.

Gentile, ex-managing partner Jeffrey Lash, and Ascendant Capital owner Jeffry Schneider are accused of operating an over $1.7B Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 17,000 investors. The three men are also facing criminal charges.

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.

Investors Accuse Ex-Forta Financial Group Broker Gregory Williams of Broker Misconduct

Published on: October 5, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Pending Customer Disputes Seek Nearly $2.6M in Broker Misconduct Damages

If you suffered losses while working with ex-Forta Financial Group stockbroker Gregory Jon Williams, you may want to consider filing a FINRA arbitration claim to pursue damages.

Williams, who is named in several pending customer disputes, is no longer a registered representative. He appears to still be affiliated with Presidential Wealth Management in Colorado Springs.

UBS to Pay More Than $1.1M in Two Yield Enhancement Strategy Cases

Published on: October 4, 2021 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

FINRA Arbitration Panels Award Damages To UBS YES Claimants

Two Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) panels have ordered UBS Wealth Management (UBS) to pay investors over $1.1 million for losses they sustained from the firm’s Yield Enhancement Strategy (YES).

This complex options trading strategy that promised investors stable, incremental returns has cost wealthy UBS customers significant losses. Many of them are now contending that misrepresentations and omissions were made about the degree of risk involved. Additionally, these investments were unsuitable for their investment accounts.

Customer of Ex-Raymond James Broker Alberto Valdes Claims Northstar Global Advantage Select Losses

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

Miami Financial Advisor Accused of Making Unsuitable Recommendation in Northstar Global Advantage Select Products

A customer of ex-Raymond James Financial Services stockbroker Alberto Valdes has filed a six-figure FINRA claim seeking damages for investment losses sustained in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda), an off-shore entity that is now in liquidation.

Valdes, who is currently a Citigroup registered representative, was with Raymond James as both a broker and investment advisor from 2016 to 2018.