Category Archives: FInancial Exploitation of the Elderly

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

Failure to Cooperate with Regulatory Investigation, Failure to Supervise, FInancial Exploitation of the Elderly, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Lack of Due Diligence, Misrepresentation, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unauthorized Trading, Unsuitable Investments, Voya (formerly ING)

James T. Flynn-Former VOYA Financial Broker-Subject of Numerous Customer Suits Involving REITs-Greenville, SC

March 2019-Greer , SC

Our law firm recently filed several FINRA arbitrations against former VOYA Financial Advisors broker James T. Flynn. The claims by his former customers allege that Flynn made unsuitable recommendations and over concentrated the customers’ accounts in real estate investment trusts and other alternative, non liquid investments.

Flynn’s FINRA records  currently disclose  a recent regulatory suspension, 7 pending customer dispute, 18 prior customer disputes, 2 terminations from employment, a chapter 13 bankruptcy filing in 2013 and 3 outstanding judgment/liens.

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 September  2018, Flynn was permanently barred from the industry by FINRA for failing to respond to FINRA’s request for information in connection with a FINRA investigation.

Settlements with Flynn customers include:

In 12/2018 a customer of VOYA Financial was paid $50,000 to resolve allegations that Flynn made unsuitable investment recommendations beginning in 2014.

In 11/2018 a customer of VOYA Financial was paid $90,000 to resolve allegations that Flynn transferred assets from a 401K account into illiquid and unsuitable investments in violation of securities statutes.

In June 2018 a Voya Financial customer was paid $75,000 to resolve allegations that Flynn recommended unsuitable  alternative investments for the clients IRA and joint account.

In February 2018 a customer of Voya Financial Advisors was paid $32,912 to resolve allegations that a real estate investment trust (REIT) purchased in June 2015 was not suitable and that the customer was not aware of the risks involved or that the REIT wasn’t actively traded.

In September 2017 a customer of Voya Financial Advisors sought damages of $115,000, alleging that he questioned the suitability of real estate investment trusts (REITs) purchased in 2014 and 2015 and the replacement of a variable annuity policy. Voya paid the customer $167,673 to resolve the case in 9/2017.

In another recently resolved matter,  a customer of Voya Financial and Brookstone Securities alleged damages in connection with a $575,000 investment in annuities and real estate investment trusts (REITs). The customer alleged that they should not have been allowed to invest all of their retirement funds in unsuitable investments. In 8/2017, Voya paid the customer $196,788 to resolve the matter.

In February 2017  Flynn was discharged from Voya Financial Advisors who made the following allegation in connection therewith: “The representative provided misleading information to the Firm during a complaint investigation” related to a variable annuity.

Most recently, in 2/2018, Flynn was discharged from IFS Securities. The firm made the following allegation in connection with Flynn’s discharge: “Client alleges trading ahead of authorization.”.

Flynn discloses outstanding Federal Tax Liens of $256,165 and $18,837 and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2013.

Jim Flynn, who is not currently registered, was employed by  IFS Securities from 2/2017-2/2018. . He was registered with Voya Financial Advisors 5/2013-2/2017, Capital Investment Group in Greer, SC, 7/2011-6/2013 and Brookstone Securities 9/2006-7/2011. Flynn discloses a business affiliation with Flynn Insurance Group and Flynn Wealth Management in Greenville, South Carolina.

If you have losses or questions about an account  handled by James  (Jim) T. Flynn , contact us for a no charge consultation to learn how you may be able to recover damages through FINRA arbitration. If you have information you believe would be helpful to our ongoing investigation of Jim Flynn, we would appreciate hearing from you.

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

FInancial Exploitation of the Elderly, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Oppenheimer, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct

Michael Ralby – Former Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Broker- Barred From Securities Industry- Boca Raton – FL

October 2018- Boca Raton, FL

According to publicly available records  Michael B. Ralby (CRD#1301072), a stockbroker who formerly was registered with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, disclose a regulatory event, 2 pending customer disputes and six prior customer disputes.

The Financial 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 require to disclose certain financial matters such as personal bankruptcies, judgments and liens.

In March of 2018  Ralby was permanently barred from the securities industry after  he refused to appear for a FINRA on-the-record testimony in connection with its investigation into whether Ralby had accepted loans from a customer in violation of FINRA rules.

In 9/2014, a customer of Above the Line Consulting, LLC alleged civil conspiracy and willful statutory violation of Florida statutes .    The case was filed in Miami Dade County, Florida in the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit, and resulted in judgment to the customer of $2.2 million.

In July of 2018 a Morgan Stanley Smith Barney customer alleged unsuitability with respect to purchase of structured products.    The case was settled for $13,604.

In January of 2017 a Morgan Stanley Smith Barney customer alleged unauthorized trading and the case settled for $35,450.

In April of 2009,  a Stanford Group Company customer alleged being misled regarding the risk level of his purchase of the Stanford International Bank CD.    He submitted to complaints to FINRA – one alleging compensatory Damages of $587.698 and the other for $140,721.   This case is still pending.

Michael Ralby worked for  Oppenheimer & Co. from March 2009 until July 2013 when he went to work with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney from July 2013 until January 2018.

If you have questions about an investment account handled by Michael Ralby, 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