Category Archives: Theft

Broker Discloses Criminal Event, Comprehensive Asset Management & Servicing, Department of Justice, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Fortune Financial Services, Fraud, Selling Away, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Theft, Unregistered Securities

Michael Giokas-Former Fortune Financial Services-Broker-Pleads Guilty to Fraud-Williamsville, NY

September 2019- Williamsville, NY

According to publicly available records  Michael Giokas (CRD# 1398674) ,  a  former stockbroker who was last  employed by Fortune Financial Services, Inc.,  disclose  2 prior regulatory events, a felony fraud criminal charge , 3 pending and 7 prior 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.  

According to a Department of Justice news release, in April 2018 Michael Giokas, 58, of Clarence, NY, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding numerous clients of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the charges.

According to the release, between 5/2017-10/2017, he persuaded clients to withdraw money from their  accounts at Nationwide Mutual and invest in a company called Trinity Council, with a promise to earn 8-9% annually. Trinity Council was a shell company with no real business, set up to accomplish the fraud.

Settlements totaling several hundred thousands have been paid out to customers already. Pending customer claims exceed $1 million.

Giokas was employed with Fortune Financial Services, Inc. from 2/2013 until 10/2017.    Prior to that he was employed by Comprehensive Asset Management and Servicing, Inc., from March 2002 until February 2013.    Giokas discloses  business affiliations with Giokas Wealth Advisors and Giokas Financial Services in Williamsville, NY.

If you have losses in an account handled by Michael Giokas, contact us for a no charge consultation to learn how you may be entitled 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

Capital One Investing, Capital One Investment Services, CUSO Financial Services, Failure to Supervise, FInancial Exploitation of the Elderly, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, HSBC Securities, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Theft

Jaime R. Rodriguez- Former Cuso Financial Services Broker – Permanently Barred from Industry by FINRA for Stealing from Elderly, Blind Customer- Port Chester, NY

September 2019 – Port Chester, NY

The FINRA records of  Jamie R. Rodriguez,  a  former stockbroker who was last employed by Cuso Financial Services disclose he  has been barred from the securities industry by FINRA who found that he converted funds from an elderly, blind customer.

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  Jaime R. Rodriguez was permanently barred from the securities industry by FINRA.   “Rodriguez consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he converted approximately $200,000 from an elderly and legally blind customer and used these funds to purchase two apartments in Rodriguez’ name.  The findings stated that when the customer’s apartment lease was terminated, Rodriguez offered with assist the customer with locating and purchasing a residence.  Rodriguez purchased an apartment for approximately $70,000 in the Bronx, NY using the customer’s funds.  The apartment was supposed to be purchased in the customer’s name.  Unbeknownst to the customer, Rodriguez was the sole beneficial owner of the residence.  The customer was unable to see or read the documents due to his disability. ”    

Rodriguez  was employed by HSBC Securities from 12/2010-7/2014, followed by terms of employment with Capital One Investment Services, Capital One Investing and CUSO Financial.

If you have questions about an account  handled by Jaime R. Rodriguez 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.

International Representation

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870

Borrowing from Customer, Broker borrowing Money from customer, Cambridge Investment Research, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, IFS Securities, Selling Away, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, Theft

Anselmo Contreras, Jr.-Former Cambridge Investment Financial Advisor-Barred From Securities Industry-Angleton, Texas

May 2019 – Angleton, Texas

According to publicly available records, former Cambridge Investment Research  financial advisor Anselmo Contreras, Jr.  discloses a recent regulatory event resulting in his bar from the securities industry 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 4/2019 FINRA permanently barred Contreras from the securities industry to resolve allegations that he misused and converted customer funds. According to FINRA Contreras induced a customer to give him a $10,000 check to invest in a real estate venture which Contreras deposited in his personal account. In addition, FINRA alleges that Contreras borrowed $30,000 from customers of Cambridge Investments without the knowledge or approval of his firm.

Contreras was employed by Cambridge Investment Research from 9/2013 until 1/2018 when he was permitted to resign for failure to report a private securities transaction and settling a customer complaint. Contreras was registered with IFS Securities from 1/2018-4/2019.

If you have losses in an account handled by Anselmo Contreras, Jr. 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

Department of Justice, StockBroker Misconduct, Theft

Stacey Sanders Sentenced to Federal Prison on Bank Fraud Charge-Fredericksburg, TX

February 2019-Fredericksburg, TX

A federal judge in San Antonio has sentenced 52-year-old Stacey A. Sanders of Fredericksburg, TX,  to 27 months imprisonment.  The former office manager of Memorial Presbyterian Church, located in Fredericksburg was sentenced  for bank fraud after she was caught writing and signing unauthorized checks on the church’s bank accounts.

Along with her prison term, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez has ordered Sanders to pay more than $400,000 in restitution.   She will pay $20,219  to Security State Bank and $400,087 to Memorial Presbyterian Church.  She will also be placed on supervised release for 5 years following her sentence.

 To conceal her activity, Defendant wrote various false statements on the checks’ memo line, such as “social security offset,” “additional payroll,” or “cleaning supplies.”

“It’s hard to believe that this has to be said, but stealing from houses of worship is really, really wrong.  When you defraud a bank to do it, it can become a federal case,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash.

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, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Founders Financial Securities, Massachusetts Securities Division, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Theft

Bruce Worthington-Former Founders Financial Securities Broker-Discloses Regulatory Event, Pending Investigation, Termination & Customer Complaint-Middleton, MA

February 2019-Middleton, MA

According to publicly available records Bruce C. Worthington (CRD# 2193895) ,  a  stockbroker previously employed by Founders Financial Securities, discloses a pending regulatory event, a prior regulatory event, a  pending FINRA investigation,  a termination from employment and 2 currently outstanding judgement/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.

Massachusetts regulators recently filed  complaint #E·2018·0119 against Worthington claiming that  from 2006 to 2018,  he took money from at least one retired client Massachusetts customer and he used the investment money for his own personal use and benefit.   This retired client had trusted Worthington with his account for 15 years.

In December 2018 FINRA case #2018059894201 was initiated by  FINRA.   Worthington failed to respond to FINRA request for information and he was suspended indefinitely.

In 9/2018, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission began an investigation into Worthington after concerns arose about his receipt and disposition of customer funds prior to 2013.    This investigation is still pending.

Worthington  began working  for Founders Financial Securities in June of 2013.   He  was discharged in September of 2018, and Founders Financial made the following allegations on Worthington’s record:  “The firm terminated its relationship with Mr. Worthington after concerns arose about his receipt and disposition of customer funds prior to his association with Founders Financial Securities“.

Worthington discloses a business affiliation with LifeHouse Financial Group in Rowley, MA.

If you have losses in an account handled by Bruce Worthington, contact us for a no charge consultation to learn how you may be entitled 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