Category Archives: Forgery

FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Forgery, Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Michael Christians-Former Morgan Stanley Broker-Discloses Regulatory Investigation-Plano, TX

June 2018- Plano, TX

The FINRA records of Michael S. Christians  , a stock broker who is not currently registered and who was last employed by Morgan Stanley , disclose a currently pending regulatory event, 2 prior customer disputes, a pending investigation 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 February 2018 FINRA initiated a regulatory investigation after a customer of Morgan Stanley alleged that Christians falsely signed her name to firm documents.

Christians  was employed by Morgan Stanley  since 6/2009 until 1/2018 when he was discharged after the firm learned of the false signing of a client on firm documents.

If you have questions about  an account handled by Michael S. Christians , call for a no charge consultation.

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, Dominion Investors Services, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Forgery, IFS Securities, LPL Financial, NFP Securities (now Kestra)

George M. Warner-Chelsea Financial Broker-Discloses Regulatory Sanction -Rockwall, TX

May 2018-Rockwall, TX

The FINRA records of  George M. Warner ,  a  stockbroker who is currently registered with Chelsea Financial Services disclose a prior regulatory event, a prior customer dispute and 2 terminations 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 4/2017 Warner was fined $5,000 and suspended for 30 days by FINRA to resolve allegations that he altered various customer documents on at least five occasions after the documents had already been signed by the customers. The findings stated that Warner corrected or included the customer’s anticipated liquidity needs, net worth, liquid net worth, and or annual income on new account forms, alternative investment forms, and an IRA application. FINRA Case 2014043727001. 

In 2/2010 , while employed by LPL Financial , Warner settled a customer dispute for $225,000. The customer alleged that he made an error in connection with the purchase of CIT bonds versus Citi Corp. bonds.

In 11/2014 Warner was ‘permitted to resign’ from NFP Advisors who made the following allegation on his FINRA record: “Rep corrected client documents after client signature. “

In 6/2013 Warner was discharged from LPL Financial who made the following allegation on his FINRA record: “Employment terminated by related bank program for obtaining client signatures on blank account transfer forms. “

George Warner’s employment history includes:

  • Dominion Investor Services               3/2017-4/2017
  • IFS Securities                                               12/2014-3/2017
  • NFP Advisor Services                               7/2013-12/2014
  • LPL Financial                                                 4/2003-6/2013

Warner discloses a business affiliation with Summit Rockwall Wealth Managers LLC and Financial Gravity. 

According to their website, the Certified Financial Planning Board has disciplined Warner by issuing  a Letter of Admonition.

If you have losses in an account in an account handled by George Warner , 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

Concentrated Positions, Discretionary Trading, Failure to Cooperate with Regulatory Investigation, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Forgery, LPL Financial, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unauthorized Trading, Unsuitable Investments

Sanders Spangler-Former LPL Financial Broker-Barred From Securities Industry-San Antonio, TX

March 2018-San Antonio, Texas

On March 26, 2018, former LPL Financial stockbroker  Sanders Spangler was permanently barred from the securities industry by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

In connection with a FINRA investigation into potential unauthorized trading in five customers’ accounts, FINRA requested that Spangler appear for on the record testimony pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210. Spangler acknowledged receiving the request and stated that he will not cooperate with the investigation.

By refusing to appear for on the record testimony Spangler violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010 and was barred from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity.

The FINRA records of Sanders Spangler disclose 1 pending and 4 prior customer disputes, including:

  • August 2017-a customer of LPL Financial alleged unauthorized trading, poor account performance from 1/2012-5/2017. The case was settled for $20,000.
  • July 2017-a customer of LPL Financial alleged that discretion was used in the account resulting in poor performance for the period from 10/2009-4/2017. The case was settled for $40,000.
  • June 2017-a customer of LPL Financial alleged poor investment performance  for the time period of 3/9/16-6/16/16 and claimed damages of $500,000. That case was settled for $500,000
  • December 2017-a customer of LPL Financial alleged unsuitable investments made without client knowledge and damages of $100,000-$500,000. That case (FINRA Case 17-1513) was settled for $225,000.

In currently pending FINRA case 17-02661 a customer of LPL is alleging that Spangler over concentrated their accounts with energy stocks and that the account was liquidated without the client’s knowledge. In addition the customer alleges that Spangler altered monthly statements. Damages are unspecified.

 

In February 2017 Spangler was discharged by LPL Financial. LPL made the following allegation on Spangler’s  FINRA record:“Exercising discretionary power in customer account(s) in violation of firm policy. ” Spangler had worked for  LPL Financial since 10/2005.

Brokers have a responsibility to make suitable recommendations to customers, taking into account their age, net worth, investment experience and risk tolerance. Oil and gas investments can be very risky and over concentrating the account of a retiree in such investments is generally not appropriate.

If you have losses in an account in an account handled by Sanders Spangler , you may be able to recover damages through FINRA arbitration. Call for a no charge consultation.

 

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 Supervise, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Forgery, Merrill Lynch, StockBroker Misconduct

William Merriam IV – Former Merrill Lynch Broker- Barred from Securities Industry- Jacksonville, FL

October 2017 – Jacksonville, FL

According to publicly available records William  H. Merriam IV, (CRD#5222110) , a  former stockbroker who was last employed by Merrill Lynch , disclose  a prior regulatory event and a termination for conduct involving forgery of customer signatures on account documents.

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 August of 2017 Merriam was permanently barred from the securities industry by FINRA to resolve allegations that he refused to appear for on the record testimony during a FINRA investigation in allegations that he resigned after Merrill Lynch commenced an internal review into allegations of forgery.

Merriam was allowed to voluntarily resign from Merrill Lynch in  December 2016 after allegations involving forgery of customer signatures on account documents. He began working for Merrill Lynch in June 2014.

If you have questions about an account handled by William H. Merriam, IV,  contact us to discuss your 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.

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870