Category Archives: Finra Investigation of Stockbroker

Concentrated Positions, Discretionary Trading, Failure to Cooperate with Regulatory Investigation, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, First Allied Securities, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments

Sean Brady-Former First Allied Securities Broker-Subject of Customer Suits Seeking Over $12 Million-St. Louis, MO

October 2018- St. Louis, MO

The FINRA records of  Sean Aaron Brady ,  a  former stock broker who is not currently registered and who was last employed by First Allied Securities ,  disclose  that he was recently permanently barred from the securities industry, terminated from employment and is the subject of 9 currently pending customer suits seeking millions of dollars.

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  permanently barred Sean Brady from the securities industry to resolve allegations that he failed to provide FINRA information and documents requested during an investigation into possible sales practice violations committed by Brady.

There are currently nine cases pending by customers of Sean Brady seeking total damages in excess of $12 million in damages. Allegations of Sean Brady’s wrongdoing include:

  • unsuitable recommendations on the basis of false account documents
  • incorrect account information
  • fraud
  • negligence
  • failure to supervise
  • breach of fiduciary duty

Sean Brady was employed by First Allied Securities from 5/2008-10/2017 when he was discharged for violating firm policy pertaining to 1-falsification of signature on documents, 2-text messaging, and 3-consolidated account reports.

If you have losses in an account handled by Sean Brady  , call for a no charge consultation to learn about your options for recovery of damages from First Allied Securities.

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

Concentrated Positions, Energy Securities, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Misrepresentation, Mutual Funds, NYLife Securities, Oil related investments, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments

David Colflesh-Former NYLife Securities Broker-Subject of Multiple Customer Suits Over Mutual Funds-Tarkio, MO

October 2018- Tarkio, Missouri

The FINRA records of  David R. Colflesh ,  a  former stock broker who is not currently registered and who was last employed by NYLife Securities ,  disclose  a regulatory suspension and 18 prior 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 October 2018 FINRA suspended Colflesh for 18 months and fined him over $34,000 to resolve allegations that he recommended non diversified mutual funds (in energy, oil and gas)  to customers without having a reasonable basis for believing they were suitable, as he had not adequately educated himself about the funds. FINRA found that Colflesh knew his recommendations exceeded his firm’s limits on concentrations of risky stocks.

In 17 prior customer disputes NYLife paid cash settlements totaling about $750,000 to former customers of Colflesh who suffered losses on unsuitable mutual funds.

David Colflesh was employed by NYLife Securities from 9/1983-11/2016 and operates Colflesh Financial Services Inc. in Maryville, MO.

If you have losses in an account handled by David Colflesh  , call for a no charge consultation to learn about your options for recovery of damages from NYLife Securities.

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

Broker borrowing Money from customer, Failure to Supervise, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Unauthorized Trading, Wells Fargo

J. Gordon Cloutier, Jr.-Former Wells Fargo Broker-Barred From Securities Industry-Frisco, TX

October 2018-Frisco, Texas

According to publicly available records J. Gordon Cloutier, Jr.   ,  a  former stockbroker who was last registered with Wells Fargo Advisors disclose two regulatory events, a prior customer dispute 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 9/2018 Cloutier was permanently barred from the securities industry by FINRA for failing to appear and provide testimony in a FINRA investigation into whether he asked a client for a personal loan and failure to obtain client authorization prior to attempting a trade.

In 9/2016 Cloutier was discharged by Wells Fargo Advisors who allege: “registered representative asked a client for a personal loan. He also did not confirm authorization the same day with this client before attempting a trade.”

J. G. Cloutier, Jr.  was employed with Wells Fargo Advisors  from 4/2009-10/2016.

If you have questions about an investment account handled by J. Gordon Cloutier, Jr. , contact us for a no charge consultation to learn about your legal options for recovery of losses.

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

Chelsea Financial Services, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, International Assets Advisory, International Assets Advisory LLC, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

Charles Bloom- Former Chelsea Financial Services Broker-Barred From Securities Industry- Royal Palm Beach, FL

October 2018- Royal Palm Beach, FL

Publicly available records disclose that Charles Lewis Bloom,  a former stockbroker who was previously employed by Chelsea Financial Services, discloses 3  regulatory events and a currently pending customer dispute, a prior customer dispute 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 July of 2018, without admitting or denying the findings, Bloom consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to appear for testimony as requested by FINRA in connection with an investigation into allegations that Bloom engaged in an unsuitable pattern of trading in at least three customer accounts.   As a result Bloom was permanently barred from the securities industry by FINRA.

A customer of one of his prior employer’s,  International Assets Advisory,   has filed FINRA case #18-00771  alleging unsuitable investment recommendations and misrepresentations with regard to an investment in a REIT (real estate investment trust).  The alleged damages are $99,326.84.

 Bloom was employed with Chelsea Financial Services from January 2016 until July of 2018.   From January 2015 until December 2015 he was with International Assets Advisory.  Before that he was employed with IAA Financial and  U.S. Brokerage. In 2006 voluntarily resigned from 1st Discount Brokerage following allegations that he exercised unauthorized day trading in a customer account.

If you have questions about an account handled by Craig Wakefield or if you have an account with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith that you believe has been mishandled, contact us for a no charge consultation to discuss 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 are handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.  

Nationwide Representation

Rex Securities Law 

Toll Free: 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