Category Archives: Lack of Due Diligence

Annuities, Lack of Due Diligence, LPL Financial, Misrepresentation, National Planning Corp., Stockbroker Malpractice, United Planners Financial Services, Unsuitable Investments

Dexter L. Thomas Investigation Update-Dallas, TX

August  17, 2018  UPDATE–Dallas, TX

We are currently investigating former National Planning Corp. broker Dexter L. Thomas on behalf of a number of residents of the Dallas/North Texas  area who allege damages to their accounts  for various reasons, including:

  • Unsuitable annuity investments
  • Churning of accounts
  • Unsuitable Loans

We Would Like to Hear From You

If you have information you believe will assist us in our investigation, please contact us by phone or using the contact form on this page and we will call you. We express our thanks to the many concerned individuals who have already reached out to us to share what they know about this rapidly developing situation.

Dexter Thomas Suicide- We have been informed by several former individuals who had accounts with Thomas that he committed suicide on August 4, 2018.

According to FINRA records, Dexter Leroy Thomas, was last registered with United Planners Financial Services of America and operated Dexter Thomas Financial Services in Dallas.  His FINRA record discloses  a pending customer dispute and 2 prior final 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 the currently pending matter, FINRA Case 18-0601,  a customer of National Planning Corp. alleges that Thomas violated FINRA rules and standards of conduct, violated the Texas Securities Act, made unsuitable recommendations and engaged in manipulative and deceitful conduct. Damages of $94,353 are sought in that case.

 Thomas was briefly employed by LPL Financial from 11/2017-12/2017. Prior to that he was employed by National Planning Corp. from 9/2006-11/2017.  

NATIONAL PLANNING CORP.  

According to FINRA records, National Planning Corporation (NPC)requested termination of their FINRA registration on July 9, 2018. On that same date NPC requested terminations of registration in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Nevada, Texas and Wyoming.

On July 24, 2018, NPC was hit with  very significant sanctions by FINRA related to the sale of annuities. FINRA found that NPC received over $152 million from the sale of variable annuities, including $56 million from the sale of L-share variable annuities which were sold to customers without investigating the suitability of the product for the customer.

FINRA has fined NPC $650,000. In addition, NPC has agreed to disgorgement of up to $6 million to affected customers.

National Planning Corp. has also been known as Jackson National Financial Services and NPC of America.

No Charge Consultation

If you have questions about an investment account handled by Dexter Thomas , questions about annuities you may have been sold, or other financial matters involving Thomas, contact us for a no charge consultation 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.

Nationwide Representation

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870

Energy Securities, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Lack of Due Diligence, Misrepresentation, Oil & Gas Investment, Oil and Gas Partnerships, Oil related investments, Private Placements, Reef Securities Inc., Reg D Offerings(private placements), Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

How to Recover Losses on Reef Oil and Gas Fund Investments

April 2018-Richardson, TX

Reef Securities Inc. and its owner and president Frank Mauceli were sanctioned by FINRA on April 11, 2018, for failing to timely notify investors in an Oil and Gas Drilling and Income Fund L.P. , sold in 2014, of revisions to an offering prospectus and of the investors’ rights to rescind his or her investment.

In addition Reef was sanctioned for advertising violations in another Reef offering. According to the FINRA sanction the subject advertising communications:

“failed to provide a balanced presentation or a sound basis for evaluating the investments being promoted, contained misleading and unwarranted claims, and, in addition, made prohibited profit projections.”

FINRA noted the following as being inconsistent and unwarranted statements in the subject advertising materials:

  • a 3 year profit range of 45%-75% in one communication vs a 35-45% range in another communication
  • a divest period of 24-36 months in one communication vs. 3-5 years in another communication
  • prohibited investor performance projections such as “Total Anticipated Profit 45%-75%”

Reef Securities was censured and fined $40,000. Mauceli was fined $5,000 and suspended 4 months from association from any FINRA member firm in all principal capacities. FINRA AWC2015043469001

Reef Oil and Gas, an affiliate of Reef Securities, engages in the developing, exploiting and producing oil and natural gas.

A partial list of recent Reef oil and gas offerings we have been investigating:

  • Reef 2015 Oil & Gas Opportunity Fund
  • Reef 2015 Income Fund
  • Reef Bakken Bear Cat Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2012-A Private Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2011 Private Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2010 Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2009 Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2007-2009 Drilling Program
  • Reef Oil & Gas Drilling & Income Fund
  • Reef Oil & Gas Income & Development Fund III
  • Reef Oil & Gas Income & Development Fund IV

Reef Oil and Gas investments were sold by many brokerage firms, including Reef Securities. These investments can be unsuitable for certain individuals, including the elderly and retired. If you have losses on an investment in one of the Reef Oil and Gas offerings, call for a no charge consultation 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.

Nationwide Representation

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870

Failure to Supervise, H.D. Vest, Lack of Due Diligence, Mortgage Backed Securities, Ponzi Schemes, Promissory Notes, Signal Securities Inc., Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

Jerry Raines -Former Signal Securities Broker-Customers Sue For $4M Losses on Woodbridge Funds-Kilgore,TX

May 2018- Kilgore, TX

The FINRA records of  Jerry D. Raines,  a  previously registered stock broker who was last employed by HD Vest Investment Services and Signal Securities,  disclose  eleven  pending customer disputes involving the allegedly fraudulent Woodbridge Mortgage Investment Funds. Raines operates Stonelion Insurance and Financial Services in Kilgore, TX.

Total damages alleged in the pending cases exceed $4 million. Claimants have alleged unsuitable recommendations, misrepresentation and that Raines participated in a civil conspiracy and committed overt acts to support  the Woodbridge fraudulent scheme.

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.

 

Woodbridge-A $1.2 billion Ponzi According to SEC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges and an asset freeze against a group of unregistered funds and their owner who allegedly bilked thousands of retail investors, many of them seniors, in a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.

According to the SEC’s complaint, unsealed in federal court in Miami, Florida, Robert H. Shapiro and a group of unregistered investment companies called the Woodbridge Group of Companies LLC, formerly headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, defrauded more than 8,400 investors in unregistered Woodbridge funds.

“We allege that through aggressive tactics, Woodbridge and Shapiro swindled seniors into a business model built on lies, which the SEC’s Miami Regional Office staff moved to halt,” said Stephanie Avakian, Co-Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division.

“Our complaint alleges that Woodbridge’s business model was a sham,” said Steven Peikin, Co-Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division. “The only way Woodbridge was able to pay investors their dividends and interest payments was through the constant infusion of new investor money.”

“Our complaint further alleges that Shapiro used a web of layered companies to conceal his ownership interest in the purported third-party borrowers,” said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SEC’s Miami Regional Office.  “Shapiro used the scheme to line his pockets with millions of investor dollars.”

Raines was employed by HD Vest Investment Services  from 8/2014-5/2017.  Prior to that  he was with Signal Securities, Inc.  from 4/2013-6/2014 and before that with Woodmen Financial Services.

If you have losses in an account handled by Jerry Raines, call for a no charge consultation to learn about your options for recovery of damages.

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, Fraud, H.D. Vest, Lack of Due Diligence, Misrepresentation, Mortgage Backed Securities, Promissory Notes, Signal Securities Inc., Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

Donna Barnard-Former Signal Securities Broker-Subject of $4M Woodbridge Fund Suits-Kilgore, TX

May 2018- Kilgore, TX

The FINRA records of  Donna L. Barnard ,  a  stock broker formerly employed by HD Vest Investment Services and Signal Securities,  disclose  10  pending customer disputes involving the allegedly fraudulent Woodbridge Mortgage Investment Funds I and II. Barnard is affiliated with Stonelion Insurance & Financial Services in Kilgore, Texas.

Total damages alleged in the ten claims are nearly $4 million. The former customers of H.D. Vest and Signal Securities who are bringing the claims allege unsuitable investments, misrepresentation, failure to perform adequate due diligence and the  sale of unregistered securities

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.

Woodbridge-A $1.2 billion Ponzi According to SEC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges and an asset freeze against a group of unregistered funds and their owner who allegedly bilked thousands of retail investors, many of them seniors, in a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme.

According to the SEC’s complaint, recently unsealed in federal court in Miami, Florida, Robert H. Shapiro and a group of unregistered investment companies called the Woodbridge Group of Companies LLC formerly headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, defrauded more than 8,400 investors in the  unregistered Woodbridge funds.

“We allege that through aggressive tactics, Woodbridge and Shapiro swindled seniors into a business model built on lies, which the SEC’s Miami Regional Office staff moved to halt,” said Stephanie Avakian, Co-Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division.

“Our complaint alleges that Woodbridge’s business model was a sham,” said Steven Peikin, Co-Director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division. “The only way Woodbridge was able to pay investors their dividends and interest payments was through the constant infusion of new investor money.”

“Our complaint further alleges that Shapiro used a web of layered companies to conceal his ownership interest in the purported third-party borrowers,” said Eric I. Bustillo, Director of the SEC’s Miami Regional Office.  “Shapiro used the scheme to line his pockets with millions of investor dollars.”

Barnard , who is not currently registered as a broker, was employed by HD Vest Investment Services  from 8/2014-5/2017.  Prior to that  she was with Signal Securities, Inc.  from April 2013 until June 2014.

If you have losses in an account handled by Donna Barnard,  call for a no charge consultation to learn about your options for recovery of your 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

Failure to Supervise, Fraud, Lack of Due Diligence, Misrepresentation, Oil & Gas Investment, Private Placements, Reg D Offerings(private placements), Sandlapper Securities, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unregistered Securities, Unsuitable Investments

Losses on Tiburon Saltwater Reclamation Fund Private Placement ?

October 2017-Austin, Texas / Greenville, South Carolina

If you lost money on the Tiburon Saltwater Reclamation Fund, we may be able to help you recover damages.

FINRA (The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) recently filed a fraud complaint alleging that Sandlapper Securities created and sold private placements in saltwater disposal wells in Texas while charging huge markups (as much as 270%), totalling over $8 million in undisclosed markups.

Sandlapper CEO Trevor Gordon and another Sandlapper executive Jack Bixler are also named in the complaint which alleges that investors were defrauded when undisclosed markups were channeled to Sandlapper through a middleman development company owned by the defendants. FINRA Complaint No. 2014041860801. 

According to the FINRA complaint, investors in Tiburon Saltwater Reclamation Fund were led to believe that not only was their capital protected but they could also anticipate a long term return of 15%.

Private placements are non public offerings that are only sold to accredited investors.

If you purchased  the Tiburon Saltwater Reclamation Fund, call to learn about your options for recovery.

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