#maryland - Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce

May 6, 2021

Davidsonville, Maryland FINRA Securities Arbitration Lawyer

Did Paul Lawrence Fowler Cause You Investment Losses? Paul Lawrence Fowler of Davidsonville, Maryland submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for allegedly executing unauthorized securities transactions in violation of FINRA Rule 2010. Due to the alleged misconduct, Fowler was assessed a fine of $5,000, suspended from association with any FINRA member in all capacities for 30 days. The suspension was in effect from January 19, 2021, through February 17, 2021. In August 2016, Paul Lawrence Fowler joined Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and became registered as a General Securities Representative. The firm later filed a Uniform Termination Notice (Form U5), disclosing that he had been terminated due to his alleged misconduct. According to the FINRA findings, Fowler allegedly violated the firm’s written supervisory procedures by executing 14 unauthorized transactions with a total principal value of approximately $60,050. The findings state that Fowler received instructions from the husband of the account holder to execute the trades, however, he was not a signatory to or authorized individual of the account. The findings further state that Fowler earned $1,955.85 in commissions for the unauthorized transactions and was ordered to pay it back with interest. FINRA Rule 2010 requires associated persons to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Unauthorized trading, which occurs when a registered representative executes trades in a customer’s account without first obtaining the customer’s authorization or consent, violates FINRA Rule 2010. Do You Need a Maryland FINRA Securities Arbitration Attorney? Are you a Maryland investor who has suffered significant losses in your stock brokerage and investment accounts? Did your Maryland stockbroker or investment advisor misrepresent facts, fail to disclose facts making the statements made false and misleading, recommend unsuitable investments or strategies, excessively trade or churn, mismanage your investment account or engage in other kinds of stockbroker misconduct? If so, you need representation by an experienced, highly-rated and nationally recognized FINRA securities arbitration attorney—a lawyer who knows FINRA rules and procedures inside and out and how to handle these FINRA arbitration cases as well as other complex legal issues. Free Initial Consultation With Experienced FINRA Securities Arbitration Lawyers Serving Davidsonville, Maryland Residents In FINRA Arbitration Proceedings At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. we represent investors in all kinds of securities, commodities and investment law disputes in FINRA, AAA and JAMS arbitration and mediation proceedings. Attorney Pearce and his staff represent investors throughout Maryland, and across the United States on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis which means you pay nothing – NO FEES-NO COSTS – unless we put money in your pocket after receiving a settlement or FINRA arbitration award. Se habla español For dedicated representation by Attorney Pearce with over 40 years of experience and success in all kinds of securities, commodities and investment law disputes serving Maryland citizens, contact the firm by phone at 561-338-0037, toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Jan 12, 2021

Middle River, Maryland Securities Account Forgery Attorney

Did Michael Roger Griffith Cause You Investment Losses? Michael Roger Griffith of Middle River, Maryland and formerly employed by NYLIFE Securities, LLC, submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) in which he consented to, but did not admit to or deny, the described sanction and the entry of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) findings that he forged a customer’s signature on fictitious life insurance applications without the customer’s knowledge or consent. Michael Griffith was found by FINRA to have submitted fictitious life insurance applications in which he forged the customer’s signature and set up an automatic bank account debit for the policies. Mr. Griffith is alleged to have done all of this without the customer’s knowledge or permission. As a result of Mr. Griffith’s fraudulent misconduct, the customer’s account was debited $1,220 which prompted the customer to contact NYLIFE Securities. The fake policies were then canceled, and the customer was repaid the money. Mr. Griffith’s actions caused him to be in violation of FINRA Rule 2010. FINRA barred Michael Griffith from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Do You Need A Securities Account Forgery Attorney? Maryland has hundreds of stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices. With so many stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices, comes the potential for their stockbrokers, financial advisors, and other representatives to engage in forgery in opening your account and/or transferring cash and/or securities out of your account and all kinds of other stockbroker misconduct which violates Federal and Maryland securities laws and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and stock brokerage firms policies and procedures. Experienced Lawyers With Securities Account Forgery Claims In FINRA Arbitrations Throughout Maryland and Nationwide. Are you a Maryland investor who has suffered significant losses in your stock brokerage and investment accounts? Did your Maryland stockbroker or investment advisor forge your signature or alter information on account opening documents about your investment objectives, risk tolerance or financial condition to make unsuitable recommendations or otherwise mismanage your investment account? If so, you will need to have representation from an experienced, highly rated and nationally recognized FINRA arbitration securities forgery law attorney—an attorney who knows FINRA rules and procedures inside and out and how to handle these FINRA arbitration forgery cases and other complex legal issues. By hiring a top rated attorney like Robert Wayne Pearce with over 40 years of experience in forgery cases by practicing securities law on both sides of the table and handling forgery cases in FINRA arbitration proceedings, you will clearly see that Attorney Pearce doesn’t just handle forgery cases—he aggressively represents investors and is one of the best attorneys to recover your investment losses resulting from forged documents to withdraw funds, allow unauthorized persons to access your accounts, to make unsuitable recommendations to appear suitable and all types of stockbroker misconduct in FINRA arbitration proceedings! At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we represent investors in all kinds of securities law and investment forgery disputes in FINRA arbitration and mediation proceedings. We also handle a wide range of practice areas such as fraud and misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, failure to supervise, and unsuitable recommendations. Attorney Pearce and his staff represent investors throughout Maryland, and across the United States on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis, which means you pay nothing – NO FEES-NO COSTS – unless we put money in your pocket after receiving a settlement or FINRA arbitration award. Se habla español Free Initial Consultation With An Experienced Securities Account Forgery Attorneys Serving Maryland Residents In FINRA Arbitrations The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. are highly experienced attorneys who successfully handle securities account forgery cases and other securities law matters and investment disputes in FINRA arbitration proceedings, and who work tirelessly to secure the best possible result for you and your case. For dedicated representation by a lawyer with over 40 years of experience and success in securities account related forgeries and all kinds of securities law and investment disputes serving Maryland citizens, contact the firm by phone at 561-338-0037, toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Jan 12, 2021

Cockeysville, Maryland Securities Account Theft Lawyer

Did Anthony John Cummings Cause You Investment Losses? Anthony John Cummings, a former registered representative with Edward Jones, agreed, without admitting or denying, to the entry of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) sanction and findings that he converted a customer’s funds for his personal benefit. FINRA alleged Anthony Cummings of Cockeysville, Maryland solicited $60,000 from a customer for his personal expenses. The funds came directly from the customer Edward Jones’ account. FINRA determined that Mr. Cummings kept the funds and neglected to repay his customer. FINRA also found that Mr. Cummings acted unethically by accepting the client’s money without the means or intent to repay the customer. As a result, Anthony Cummings was permanently barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Do You Need A Securities Account Theft Lawyer? Maryland has hundreds of stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices. With so many stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices, comes the potential for their stockbrokers, financial advisors, and other representatives to transfer cash and/or securities out of your account, that is steal or commit theft and all kinds of other stockbroker misconduct which violates Federal and Maryland securities laws and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and stock brokerage firms policies and procedures. Experienced Attorneys With Securities Account Theft Claims In FINRA Arbitrations Throughout Maryland and Nationwide. Are you a Maryland investor who has suffered significant losses in your stock brokerage and investment accounts? Did your Maryland stockbroker or investment advisor transfer assets without your authority to the stockbroker or another party, steal, or otherwise commit theft in your investment account? If so, you will need to have representation from an experienced, highly rated and nationally recognized FINRA arbitration securities law attorney—an attorney who knows FINRA rules and procedures inside and out and how to handle these FINRA arbitration forgery cases and other complex legal issues. By hiring a top rated lawyer like Robert Wayne Pearce with over 40 years of experience with securities account theft claims by practicing securities law on both sides of the table and handling theft cases in FINRA arbitration proceedings, you will clearly see that Attorney Pearce doesn’t just handle theft cases—he aggressively represents investors and is one of the best lawyers to recover your securities account losses resulting from theft and all types of stockbroker misconduct in FINRA arbitration proceedings! At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we represent investors in all kinds of securities law and investment theft disputes in FINRA arbitration and mediation proceedings. We also handle a wide range of practice areassuch asfraud and misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, failure to supervise, and unsuitable recommendations. Attorney Pearce and his staff represent investors throughout Maryland, and across the United States on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis, which means you pay nothing – NO FEES-NO COSTS – unless we put money in your pocket after receiving a settlement or FINRA arbitration award. Se habla español Free Initial Consultation With An Experienced Attorney Handling Securities Account Theft Cases Serving Maryland Residents in FINRA Arbitrations The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. are highly experienced attorneys who successfully handle securities account theft cases and other securities law matters and investment disputes in FINRA arbitration proceedings, and who work tirelessly to secure the best possible result for you and your case. For dedicated representation by a lawyer with over 40 years of experience and success in securities account related thefts and all kinds of securities law and investment disputes serving Maryland citizens, contact the firm by phone at 561-338-0037, toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Jan 11, 2021

Frederick, Maryland Securities Arbitration Attorney Who Sues Stockbrokers For Selling Away (Selling Unauthorized Investments)

Did Imran Nazir Razvi Cause You Investment Losses? Imran Nazir Razvi of Frederick Maryland was fined and suspended by FINRA for allegedly engaging in private securities transactions, known as selling away. While employed by Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation, Imran Razvi was denied the approval of his member firm to use a company he created in order to refer investors to a real-estate investment fund named Woodbridge Group of Companies LLC (Woodbridge). Despite being denied approval by his member firm, Imran Razvi, through his ownership of the company, received portions of commissions which were received by employees under his supervision. Ultimately, Woodbridge filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued judgments against Woodbridge and its former owner, Robert Shapiro, who were required to disgorge the ill-gotten gains and pay a civil penalty. Without admitting or denying the findings, Imran Razvi agreed to and was assessed a deferred fine of $5,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member for six months for selling away from the firm. Do You Need A Securities Arbitration Attorney Who Sues Stockbrokers For Selling Away? Maryland has hundreds of stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices. With so many stock brokerage firms and investment advisor offices, comes the potential for their stockbrokers, financial advisors, and other representatives to recommend investments that were never reviewed nor authorized by their employers and engage in many other types of misconduct which violates Federal and Maryland securities laws, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules as well as stock brokerage firms policies and procedures. Experienced Securities Lawyers Who Represent Investors Sold Unauthorized Investments (Selling Away) In FINRA Arbitrations Throughout Maryland and Nationwide. Did your Maryland stockbroker or investment advisor recommend an investment that turned out to be an investment never reviewed or approved by their stockbrokerage firm employer. The stockbrokers who stoop to that level are usually insolvent or uncollectible. And so, the investor’s only recourse is against the brokerage firm employer. But stockbrokerage firms always claim ignorance of the stockbroker’s activities and deny liability for the sale of unauthorized investments which they call Selling Away as if that was an absolute defense. Not so! You will definitely need an experienced attorney who knows the securities laws and how to hold the stockbrokerage firm responsible for their employees Selling Away under legal principles of actual authority, apparent authority, estoppel and failure to supervise. If your attorney knows where to look he/she can often find Red Flags of the alleged unauthorized sales that the firm did not look for, missed or saw and just ignored. You also need a lawyer knowledgeable of FINRA rules and procedures to handle these FINRA arbitration Selling Away cases involving complex legal issues. By hiring a top rated attorney like Robert Wayne Pearce with over 40 years of experience practicing securities law on both sides of the table in FINRA arbitration proceedings, you will clearly see that Attorney Pearce aggressively represents investors and is one of the best attorneys to help you recover your unauthorized investment losses from stockbrokers, investment advisors and their employers in FINRA arbitration proceedings! At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we represent investors in not just Selling Away cases but all kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitration and mediation proceedings. We handle a wide range of practice areas such as stockbroker fraud and securities misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, failure to supervise, and unsuitable recommendations. Attorney Pearce and his staff represent investors throughout Maryland, and across the United States on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis which means you pay nothing – NO FEES-NO COSTS – unless we put money in your pocket after receiving a settlement or FINRA arbitration award. Se habla español Free Initial Consultation With An Experienced Selling Away Attorney Representing Maryland Residents in FINRA Arbitrations The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. are highly experienced attorneys who successfully handle Selling Away and other securities investment cases in FINRA arbitration proceedings, and who work tirelessly to secure the best possible result for you and your case. For dedicated representation by a lawyer with over 40 years of experience and success in all kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitrations serving Maryland citizens, contact the firm by phone at 561-338-0037, toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Jan 11, 2021

Elkton, Maryland Securities Arbitration Attorney Who Sues Stockbrokers For Selling Away (Selling Unauthorized Investments)

Did Roger Lee Owens Cause You Investment Losses? Roger Lee Owens of Elkton, Maryland submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he received a fine and suspension for allegations of engaging in private securities transactions in violation of FINRA Rules 3280 and 2010. Roger Lee Owens registered with Cetera as an Investment Company Products Variable Contracts Representative in July 2007. According to FINRA’s findings, Mr. Owens was discharged by his firm for allegedly participating in private securities transactions without authorization from Cetera. FINRA also found that Mr. Owens sold $1,170,000 in promissory notes to 14 investors, four of whom were Cetera customers, in connection with Woodbridge, a purported real-estate investment fund. The findings also included that he earned $59,471 in commissions and personally invested $75,000 in the notes. FINRA also determined that Mr. Owens made false statements in compliance questionnaires that he did not engage in any private securities transactions without authorization from Cetera. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s allegations, Roger Lee Owens was assessed a fine of $10,000, ordered to pay deferred disgorgement of commissions received in the amount of $59,471 and received a suspension from associating with any FINRA member in all capacities for 12 months. Do You Need A Securities Arbitration Attorney Who Sues Stockbrokers For Selling Away? Maryland has hundreds of stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices. With so many stock brokerage firms and investment advisor offices, comes the potential for their stockbrokers, financial advisors, and other representatives to recommend investments that were never reviewed nor authorized by their employers and engage in many other types of misconduct which violates Federal and Maryland securities laws, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules as well as stock brokerage firms policies and procedures. Experienced Securities Lawyers Who Represent Investors Sold Unauthorized Investments (Selling Away) In FINRA Arbitrations Throughout Maryland and Nationwide. Did your Maryland stockbroker or investment advisor recommend an investment that turned out to be an investment never reviewed or approved by their stockbrokerage firm employer. The stockbrokers who stoop to that level are usually insolvent or uncollectible. And so, the investor’s only recourse is against the brokerage firm employer. But stockbrokerage firms always claim ignorance of the stockbroker’s activities and deny liability for the sale of unauthorized investments which they call Selling Away as if that was an absolute defense. Not so! You will definitely need an experienced attorney who knows the securities laws and how to hold the stockbrokerage firm responsible for their employees Selling Away under legal principles of actual authority, apparent authority, estoppel and failure to supervise. If your attorney knows where to look he/she can often find Red Flags of the alleged unauthorized sales that the firm did not look for, missed or saw and just ignored. You also need a lawyer knowledgeable of FINRA rules and procedures to handle these FINRA arbitration Selling Away cases involving complex legal issues. By hiring a top rated attorney like Robert Wayne Pearce with over 40 years of experience practicing securities law on both sides of the table in FINRA arbitration proceedings, you will clearly see that Attorney Pearce aggressively represents investors and is one of the best attorneys to help you recover your unauthorized investment losses from stockbrokers, investment advisors and their employers in FINRA arbitration proceedings! At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we represent investors in not just Selling Away cases but all kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitration and mediation proceedings. We handle a wide range of practice areas such as stockbroker fraud and securities misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, failure to supervise, and unsuitable recommendations. Attorney Pearce and his staff represent investors throughout Maryland, and across the United States on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis which means you pay nothing – NO FEES-NO COSTS – unless we put money in your pocket after receiving a settlement or FINRA arbitration award. Se habla español Free Initial Consultation With An Experienced Selling Away Attorney Representing Maryland Residents in FINRA Arbitrations The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. are highly experienced attorneys who successfully handle Selling Away and other securities investment cases in FINRA arbitration proceedings, and who work tirelessly to secure the best possible result for you and your case. For dedicated representation by a lawyer with over 40 years of experience and success in all kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitrations serving Maryland citizens, contact the firm by phone at 561-338-0037, toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Jan 11, 2021

Annapolis, Maryland Securities Misrepresentation Attorney

Did Joseph Anthony Giordano Cause You Investment Losses? Joseph Anthony Giordano, former Registered Principal of Capital Investment Group, Inc. (CIG) of Annapolis, Maryland and more recently with Meyers Associates, L.P. of Edgewater, Maryland, submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he agreed to, without admitting or denying, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) penalties and findings for the distribution and solicitation of unregistered Empire debentures, the solicitation of which was prohibited by CIG, and for making unsuitable recommendations to his customers. FINRA found that Mr. Giordano of Grasonville, Maryland, took part in the distribution of unregistered Empire Corporation (Empire) debentures, which is a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933. According to FINRA, Mr. Giordano sold nearly $3.1 million worth of Empire debentures to at least 45 CIG investors. Mr. Giordano failed to conduct proper due diligence pertaining to the fact that these debentures were not registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or the State of Maryland nor did they qualify for a registration exemption. FINRA also found that Mr. Giordano made unsuitable recommendations to his customers based on their investment goals, objectives, financial profiles and risk tolerance, recommending that they purchase the debentures in their retirement accounts and at unsuitable concentrations and even allegedly going so far as to recommend to at least one investor that the debenture was “safe” and that “the issuer will have no problem paying back the principal plus interest.” The Empire debentures were risky investments because of their high-yield, lack of credit analyses or registration statement, and total absence of a secondary market. Mr. Giordano allegedly made untrue statements to CIG regarding the prohibited solicitation of these debentures, allegedly advising the firm that he was not receiving compensation, when in fact one year he received $63,900 in compensation for his sales of the Empire debentures. As a result, Joseph Giordano was prohibited by FINRA from association with FINRA members in any capacity. Do You Need A Securities Misrepresentation Attorney? Maryland has hundreds of stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices. With so many stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices, comes the potential for their stockbrokers, financial advisors, and other representatives to make misrepresentations about investing in securities (stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, REITs, Junk Bonds, Hedge Funds, Structured Products, etc.) they are selling, the strategies they are recommending (margin, short selling, option) and to engage in many other kinds of stockbroker fraud and stockbroker misconduct which violates Federal and Maryland securities laws and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and stock brokerage firms policies and procedures. Experienced Securities Lawyers Who Represent Investors With Misrepresentation Claims In FINRA Arbitrations Throughout Maryland and Nationwide. Are you a Maryland investor who has suffered significant losses in your stock brokerage and investment accounts? Did your Maryland stockbroker or investment advisor, misrepresent facts about the securities, investments or strategies they were recommending or otherwise mismanage your investment account? If so, you need representation by experienced, highly-rated and nationally recognized FINRA arbitration attorneys who know FINRA rules and procedures and how to handle these FINRA arbitration cases and other complex legal issues. By hiring a top rated securities attorney like Robert Wayne Pearce with over 40 years of experience with investment misrepresentation claims on both sides of the table in FINRA arbitration proceedings, you will clearly see that Attorney Pearce doesn’t just handle cases—he aggressively represents investors and one of the best securities attorneys to recover your investment losses for all types of stockbroker fraud and stockbroker misconduct in FINRA arbitration proceedings! At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we represent investors with securities misrepresentation claims and many other kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitration and mediation proceedings. We handle a wide range of practice areas besides securities misrepresentation and stockbroker fraud claims such as stockbroker breach of fiduciary duty, stockbroker negligence, failure to supervise stockbrokers, and unsuitable recommendations by stockbrokers. Attorney Pearce and his staff represent investors throughout Maryland, and across the United States on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis, which means you pay nothing – NO FEES-NO COSTS – unless we put money in your pocket after receiving a settlement or FINRA arbitration award. Se habla español Free Initial Consultation With Experienced Securities Misrepresentation and Stockbroker Fraud Lawyers Serving Maryland Residents in FINRA Arbitrations The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. are highly experienced lawyers who successfully handle securities misrepresentation, stockbroker fraud, stockbroker misconduct and other investment disputes in FINRA arbitration proceedings, and who work tirelessly to secure the best possible result for you and your case. For dedicated representation by an attorney with over 40 years of experience and success in all kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitrations serving Maryland citizens, contact the firm by phone at 561-338-0037, toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Jan 11, 2021

Baltimore, Maryland Attorney Who Sues Stockbrokers Who Made Unsuitable Investment Recommendations

Did Kevin Barbalace Cause You Investment Losses? Kevin Barbalace of Baltimore, Maryland submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for allegedly making unsuitable investment recommendations to a customer. According to FINRA, while associated with Dawson James Securities, Inc. (Dawson James), Mr. Barbalace recommended and executed 46 trades in his customer’s IRA account which resulted in an excessive concentration of highly volatile low-priced stocks in the IRA. FINRA found that due to these securities transactions a loss of more than $7,000 was incurred. Without admitting or denying the FINRA findings, Mr. Barbalace agreed to the sanctions and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and was suspended for 3 months. Do You Need An Attorney Who Sues Stockbrokers Who Made Unsuitable Investment Recommendations? Maryland has hundreds of stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices. With so many stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices, comes the potential for their stockbrokers, financial advisors, and other representatives to recommend unsuitable securities investments in light of the customers stated investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial condition, time horizon and other important factors and to engage in many other kinds of stockbroker fraud and stockbroker misconduct which violates Federal and Maryland securities laws and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and stock brokerage firms policies and procedures. Experienced Unsuitable Investment Lawyers Who Handle FINRA Arbitrations Throughout Maryland and Nationwide. Are you a Maryland investor who has suffered significant losses in your stock brokerage and investment accounts? Did they recommend unsuitable securities transactions or strategies? Broker-Dealer attorneys always argue to the arbitration panel the securities transactions (buy, sell or hold) and/or strategies to engage in short selling, trade on margin, use securities based lending and complex option or futures trading strategies were suitable for the customer. They routinely misrepresent the customers’ investment objectives, risk tolerance and financial condition on account documents. Suitability claims can be based upon the stockbroker or investment advisor’s fiduciary duty, duty to use reasonable care, or FINRA Rule 2111. If you believe that your stockbroker or investment advisor made unsuitable recommendations, you need a skilled securities arbitration attorney who knows all the investments, investment strategies and stockbroker tricks of the trade. More importantly, you will need the representation of an experienced, top rated and nationally recognized FINRA arbitration attorney — a lawyer who knows FINRA rules and procedures and how to handle these FINRA arbitration cases and other complex legal issues. By hiring a top rated securities attorney like Robert Wayne Pearce with over 40 years of experience on both sides of the table in FINRA arbitration proceedings, you will clearly see that Attorney Pearce doesn’t just handle cases—he aggressively represents investors and is one of the best securities attorneys to recover your investment losses for unsuitable recommendations and all types of stockbroker fraud and stockbroker misconduct in FINRA arbitration proceedings! At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we represent investors with securities breach of fiduciary duty claims and many other kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitration and mediation proceedings. We handle a wide range of practice areasbesides breach of fiduciary duty, such as claims involving securities misrepresentation and stockbroker fraud, negligence, failure to supervise, and unsuitable recommendations by stockbrokers and investment advisors. Attorney Pearce and his staff represent investors throughout Maryland, and across the United States on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis, which means you pay nothing – NO FEES-NO COSTS – unless we put money in your pocket after receiving a settlement or FINRA arbitration award. Se habla español Free Initial Consultation With An Experienced Attorney Serving Maryland Residents in FINRA Arbitrations Involving Unsuitable Investment Claims The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. are highly experienced lawyers who successfully handle unsuitable investment claims and other investment disputes in FINRA arbitration proceedings, and who work tirelessly to secure the best possible result for you and your case. For dedicated representation by an attorney with over 40 years of experience and success in all kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitrations serving Maryland citizens, contact the firm by phone at 561-338-0037, toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Jan 11, 2021

Maryland Stockbroker Fraud Attorney

Did Joseph R. Butler Cause You Investment Losses? Joseph R. Butler, a former representative with Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. was permanently barred by FINRA for taking advantage of an elderly, dementia suffering customer’s bank accounts, converting her money for his own use, and naming himself as her annuity’s beneficiary, falsely representing that he was her son. FINRA states that Mr. Butler admitted that his 75 year old, widowed customer who suffered from dementia was dependent on him and trusted him to take care of her. It was then that Mr. Butler allegedly began withdrawing money from her accounts. According to FINRA’s findings, Mr. Butler wrote nine checks from his customer’s accounts totaling $105,646.158. Eight of the nine checks were made payable to himself or cash, and the ninth check he used to pay his Federal income taxes. FINRA alleges Mr. Butler arranged to have the customer’s account statements delivered to his home address rather than hers and, in the same month, wired $5,000 from her accounts to his own, claiming that it was a “test,” according to FINRA. Further, Mr. Butler sent a change request form for his customer’s $453,000 annuity in which he removed the granddaughters as beneficiaries and named himself, falsely representing on the form that his relationship to the customer was “son.” Joseph Butler was barred from association with any FINRA member and ordered to pay $170,408.18, plus interest, in restitution to his former customer. This decision was upheld by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) following appeal of a National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) decision. Do You Need A Stockbroker Fraud Attorney? Maryland has hundreds of stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices. With so many stock brokerage firms and investment advisory offices, comes the potential for their stockbrokers, financial advisors, and other representatives to engage in one or more kinds of stockbroker fraud. They could make misrepresentations about investing in securities (stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, REITs, Junk Bonds, Hedge Funds, Structured Products, etc.) they are selling. Unsuitable recommendations of the strategies they recommend (margin, short selling, option) is another kind of stockbroker fraud. They can engage in many other kinds of stockbroker fraud and stockbroker misconduct which violates Federal and Maryland securities laws and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and stock brokerage firms policies and procedures. Experienced Stockbroker Fraud Lawyers Who Handle FINRA Arbitrations Throughout Maryland and Nationwide. Are you a Maryland investor who has suffered significant losses in your stock brokerage and investment accounts? Did your Maryland stockbroker or investment advisor, misrepresent facts about the securities, investments or strategies they were recommending or otherwise mismanage your investment account? If so, you need representation by an experienced, highly-rated and nationally recognized FINRA arbitration lawyer — an attorney who knows FINRA rules and procedures and how to handle these FINRA arbitration cases as well as other complex legal issues. By hiring a top rated stockbroker fraud attorney like Robert Wayne Pearce with over 40 years of experience on both sides of the table in FINRA arbitration proceedings, you will clearly see that Attorney Pearce doesn’t just handle cases—he aggressively represents investors and is one of the best securities attorneys to recover your investment losses for all types of stockbroker fraud and stockbroker misconduct in FINRA arbitration proceedings! At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we represent investors with securities misrepresentation claims and many other kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitration and mediation proceedings. We handle a wide range of practice areasbesides securities misrepresentation and stockbroker fraud claims such as stockbroker breach of fiduciary duty, stockbroker negligence, failure to supervise stockbrokers, and unsuitable recommendations by stockbrokers. Attorney Pearce and his staff represent investors throughout Maryland, and across the United States on a CONTINGENCY FEE basis, which means you pay nothing – NO FEES-NO COSTS – unless we put money in your pocket after receiving a settlement or FINRA arbitration award. Se habla español Free Initial Consultation With An Experienced Stockbroker Fraud Lawyer Serving Maryland Residents in FINRA Arbitrations The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. are highly experienced lawyers who successfully handle securities misrepresentation, stockbroker fraud, stockbroker misconduct and other investment disputes in FINRA arbitration proceedings, and who work tirelessly to secure the best possible result for you and your case. For dedicated representation by an attorney with over 40 years of experience and success in all kinds of securities law and investment disputes in FINRA arbitrations serving Maryland citizens, contact the firm by phone at 561-338-0037, toll free at 800-732-2889 or via e-mail.

Nov 12, 2020

PFS Investments Inc. Stockbroker Albert Harkless III Barred for Misconduct

Albert Harkless III of Oxon Hill, Maryland submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in which he was barred for conversion and misrepresentations in violation of FINRA Rules 2150 and 2010. In July of 1996, Albert Harkless III joined PFS Investments Inc. in which he was licensed as an Investment Company and both a Variable Contracts Products Representative and Principal. According to FINRA findings, a Form U5 was filed in October 2018 communicating the termination of Harkless for participating in the alleged unauthorized transactions and making misrepresentations. The FINRA findings state that Albert Harkless III allegedly solicited a customer to invest $6,100 to secure 406 shares in the firm’s parent company. Without the customer’s agreement or consent, he only purchased 150 shares for Company 1 for $2,980 and transferred the balance of the customer’s funds of $3,120 to his personal account. In addition, Harkless allegedly stated company shares were only obtainable for purchase by employees and there is a five-year sale limitation on purchases of Company 1 shares which is inaccurate. FINRA Rule 2150 provides that no person associated with a member firm shall make improper use of a customer’s securities or funds. Conversion is the intentional and unauthorized taking of and/or exercise of ownership over property by one who neither owns the property nor is entitled to possess it. FINRA Rule 2010 requires FINRA members and associated persons to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Without admitting or denying FINRA’s findings, Albert Harkless III was barred from association with any FINRA member firm. Stockbrokers have been known to engage in many practices that may violate industry and firm rules, practices, and procedures. In order to protect investors from stockbroker misconduct, FINRA rules require brokerage firms to establish and implement a supervisory system. The implementation of these industry rules requires supervisors to monitor their employees to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws, securities industry rules and regulations, and the brokerage firm’s own policies and procedures. If broker-dealers and/or their supervisors fail to establish and implement these protective measures, they may be liable to investors for damages which flow from the broker’s misconduct. Therefore, investors who have suffered losses stemming from unauthorized transactions and/or other misrepresentation by their broker can file claims to recover damages against broker-dealers, like PFS Investments Inc., which should consistently oversee its brokers’ activities in order to prevent the above-described misconduct. Have you suffered losses in your PFS Investments Inc. account due to unauthorized transactions and/or misrepresentations by your broker? Was Albert Harkless III your stockbroker? If so, call Robert Pearce at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. for a free consultation. Mr. Pearce is accepting clients with valid claims against PFS Investments Inc. stockbrokers who may have engaged in broker misconduct and caused investors’ losses. The most important of investors’ rights is the right to be informed! This Investors’ Rights blog post is by the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., located in Boca Raton, Florida. For over 40 years, Attorney Pearce has tried, arbitrated, and mediated hundreds of disputes involving complex securities, commodities and investment law issues. The lawyers at our law firm are devoted to protecting investors’ rights throughout the United States and internationally! Please visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.