Category Archives: Elder Financial Abuse

Borrowing from Customer, Elder Financial Abuse, Fraud, Stockbroker Malpractice, Theft

Ft. Lauderdale Man Charged with Defrauding Retiree of Retirement Savings

November 2019- Ft. Lauderdale, FL

According to a recent press release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Michael Jerome Atkins, 60, was arraigned on mail fraud and aggravated identity theft charges on November 21, 2019.

The indictment alleges that Atkins defrauded a retiree out of her retirement savings of more than $400,000 by promising her that if she loaned him her savings he would use it for his business, All Points Aviation and Associates, and repay her in two months.

According to the allegations Atkins used the funds for his personal benefit and dd not repay the victim.

An indictment is a charging instrument containing accusations.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, beyond a reasonable double, in a court of law.

Rex Securities Law , with offices in Boca Raton, FL,  and  Austin, TX,   provides representation to  investors  nationwide who are seeking recovery of investment losses due to the negligence or fraud of stockbrokers and broker dealers. If you have questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney.

Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

International Representation

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870

Elder Financial Abuse, Failure to Supervise, FInancial Exploitation of the Elderly, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Janney Montgomery Scott, Robert W. Baird, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

Jodie LaMarre- Former Robert W. Baird & Co. Broker- Discloses Regulatory Event & Two Settled Customer Disputes-Sarasota, FL

June 2019- Sarasota, FL

According to publicly available records Jodie A. Lamarre (CRD#2127928) ,  a  stockbroker who is currently not registered  discloses a regulatory event and 2 settled customer disputes .

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the agency that licenses and regulates stockbrokers and brokerage firms. FINRA requires brokers and brokerage firms to report customer complaints and disputes as well as regulatory sanctions. In addition brokers are required to disclose certain financial matters such as personal bankruptcies, judgments and liens.

In February  2018,  without admitting or denying the findings, LaMarre consented to sanctions and to the entry findings that she recommended an unsuitable strategy involving the consolidation of an elderly customer’s assets in a single taxable account without regard to the fact that several of these assets were in tax deferred accounts .  The customer had a total net worth of less that $200,000 and was living on fixed income. As a result of LaMarre’s actions the customer was faced with an increased tax liability. FINRA suspended LaMarre for 1 year suspension and assessed a $10,000 monetary fine. FINRA case 2015046052701.

In December 2016,  a Robert W. Baird & Co., customer filed a complaint that alleged that LaMarre’s poor advice led him to sustain losses related to the purchase of a variable annuity.  The case was settled for $30,000 in 3/2017.

In May of 2015, another Robert W. Baird & Co, customer  alleged that LaMarre gave poor advice regarding distribution/surrender of annuities following the death of client’s husband, causing  unintended negative tax consequences.  This case settled for $10,000.

Lamarre was  employed with Janney Montgomery Scott from February 2015 until November 2017.   Before that she was with Robert W. Baird & Co, from July 2008 until February 2015.

If you have questions about an investment account handled by Jodie Ann Lamarre contact us for a no charge consultation to learn about your legal options.

Rex Securities Law , with offices in Boca Raton, FL,  and  Austin, TX,   provides representation to  investors  nationwide who are seeking recovery of investment losses due to the negligence or fraud of stockbrokers and broker dealers. If you have questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney.

Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

Nationwide Representation

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870

Churning, Discretionary Trading, Elder Financial Abuse, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Independent Financial Group, Misrepresentation, Sandlapper Securities, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unauthorized Trading, Unsuitable Investments

Kyusun Kim-Former Independent Financial Group Broker-Barred from FINRA-Discloses 19 Settled Customer Suits- Greenville, SC

June 2019- Greenville, SC

According to publicly available records, former Independent Financial and Sandlapper Securities  financial advisor Kyusun Kim,  discloses 19 settled and 4 pending customer disputes  and a termination from employment.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the agency that licenses and regulates stockbrokers and brokerage firms. FINRA requires brokers and brokerage firms to report customer complaints and disputes as well as regulatory sanctions. In addition brokers are required to disclose certain financial matters such as personal bankruptcies, judgments and liens.

In June 2018 FINRA (FINRA case 2017052705001) permanently barred Kim from the securities industry to resolve allegations that he made unsuitable recommendations to numerous senior customers, who were retiring or had retired. Kim recommended that these customers concentrate their retirement assets and liquid net worth in speculative and illiquid securities, according to FINRA.   Kim failed to disclose to his customers the risks associated  and as a result of these recommendations, Kim’s customers suffered substantial losses.

From December of 2007 until June 2013, 15 customers of Independent Financial Group brought cases alleging that Kim  forged signatures, made unsuitable recommendation, misrepresentation, violated state and federal securities laws, committed elder abuse, and other wrongful conduct.   These cases were collectively settled for over $3 million.

Between December 2016 and February 2018, four customers of Independent Financial Group filed cases alleging wrongful conduct, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of written contract, violations of federal and state securities laws in connection with investments,  unsuitable investments, breach of oral and written contract. Total damages on these pending cases exceed 1 million.

Kim  was employed by Sandlapper Wealth Management  from March 2016 until August of 2018 when he was discharged.   Kim was employed with Independent Financial Group in San Diego, CA from February of 2006 until March of 2016.

If you have losses in an account handled by Kyusun Kim, call to learn how you may be able to recover damages through FINRA arbitration.

Rex Securities Law , with offices in Boca Raton, FL,  and  Austin, TX,   provides representation to  investors  nationwide who are seeking recovery of investment losses due to the negligence or fraud of stockbrokers and broker dealers. If you have questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney.

Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

Nationwide Representation

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870

Annuities, BCG Securities, Elder Financial Abuse, Failure to Supervise, FInancial Exploitation of the Elderly, LPL Financial, Misrepresentation, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

Brandon Long-Former BCG Securities Broker-Discloses Customer Suits & Regulatory Actions-Roswell, GA

February  2019 – Roswell, GA

According to public records of Brandon P. Long (CRD#5975459)  a  stockbroker previously employed by BCG Securities,  Inc., discloses a regulatory event, a civil event, 3 customer dispute settlements and a termination from employment.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the agency that licenses and regulates stockbrokers and brokerage firms. FINRA requires brokers and brokerage firms to report customer complaints and disputes as well as regulatory sanctions. In addition brokers are required to disclose certain financial matters such as personal bankruptcies, judgments and liens.

In October of 2017, Long was permanently barred from the securities industry to resolve regulatory allegations that he made misrepresentations and induced federal employees to rollover their federal retirement accounts into annuities which resulted in losses for the customers. According to the allegations commissions of $1.7 million were earned on the sale of some $40 million in annuities. 

Long was employed by BCG Securities from 12/2014-4/2017. Prior to that he was with LPL Financial until 12/2014 when he was discharged for concerns regarding communications with a customer. Long also discloses a business affiliation with Keystone Wealth Management and Keystone Capital Partners & Federal Employee Retirement Counselors in Alpharetta, GA. 

If you have questions about an account handled by  Brandon P. Long, contact us for a no charge consultation to learn how you may be able to recover damages from his employer through FINRA arbitration.

Rex Securities Law , with offices in Boca Raton, FL,  and  Austin, TX,   provides representation to  investors nationwide who are seeking recovery of investment losses due to the negligence or fraud of stockbrokers and broker dealers. If you have questions about how your account has been handled, call to speak with an experienced securities attorney.

Most cases handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.

Nationwide Representation

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870