The GMS Group - Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce

Dec 31, 2015

Coral Springs, Florida GMS Group Representative Barred for Misconduct

Jason Figueroa of Coral Springs, Florida submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to the Department of Enforcement of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for allegedly engaging in unsuitable transactions in leveraged and inverse leveraged exchange traded funds (ETF’s) that he did not understand. Mr. Figueroa first became associated with FINRA through The GMS Group, LLC (GMS) in 2006. In March 2015, Mr. Figueroa was terminated by GMS due to a series of client complaints and settlements. In June 2009, FINRA released a regulatory notice pertaining to ETF’s. It stated that it was the responsibility of the firm and its representatives to understand the unique features of ETFs and their typical holding period (one day). In 2011, Mr. Figueroa revised his investment strategy for 4 client accounts who were inexperienced in investing and had moderate risk tolerance.

Dec 18, 2015

Boca Raton, Florida GMS Supervisor Suspended and Fined

Carmine Capone of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and The GMS Group (GMS) of Livingston, New Jersey submitted an Acceptance, Waiver and Consent to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority for allegedly failing to supervise one of their registered representatives. A FINRA member since 1979, GMS has 7 branch offices and over 100 registered representatives. Mr. Capone has been associated with GMS since August 1985 and is a General Securities Sales Supervisor for the firm. FINRA found, that between 2011 through 2013 a registered representative, who was supposed to be under Mr. Capone’s supervision, recommended and engaged in several unsuitable trades in ETF’s in four customer accounts. During the relevant period, FINRA found that the registered representative for GMS did not understand the unique features and specific risks of the ETF transactions. All four clients realized thousands of dollars in losses while the GMS representative generated commissions of $210,754. FINRA alleged that the ETF’s were nontraditional and exposed the clients to more risk than they could tolerate.