Category Archives: Unauthorized Trading

Churning, Concentrated Positions, Discretionary Trading, Failure to Supervise, FInancial Exploitation of the Elderly, Joseph Gunnar, Maryland Division of Securities, Misrepresentation, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unauthorized Trading, Unsuitable Investments

Anthony Sica-Joseph Gunnar Broker-Sanctioned Over Sale of Speculative Securities to Elderly Client-New York

June 2018- New York

The FINRA records of Anthony Sica  , a stock broker who is employed by Joseph Gunnar & Co. , disclose  3 regulatory sanctions, a pending customer dispute and  8 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.

Maryland Sanction for Abusing Account of Elderly Lady

In December 2017, the Maryland Securities Commissioner alleged that Sica repeatedly recommended that an elderly customer, living on fixed income,  purchase high-risk, speculative securities that were inconsistent with her investment profile and which were unsuitable. Sica’s recommendations often resulted in an undue concentration of the her liquid assets in speculative securities resulting in losses of over $150,000. The regulator also found that Sica made unauthorized trades in the IRA account of a customer Sica knew was deceased causing losses. Sica was suspended for three months, fined $20,000 , ordered to pay restitution and to complete continuing education concerning how to deal with senior customers.

Prior customer disputes by customers of Sica include:

  • FINRA Case 14-1574- a customer of Joseph Gunnar alleged unsuitable recommendations, frequent trading, unauthorized trading and sought damages of $479,000. The case was settled for $302,500.
  • FINRA Case 10-969- a customer of Joseph Gunnar alleged that Sica mismanaged his account and made unsuitable recommendations and sought damages of $356,773. The case was settled for $157,500.

In currently pending FINRA Case 17-02160 a customer of Joseph Gunnar alleges unsuitable investments and breach of fiduciary duty from August 2011-March 2015, and is seeking damages of $49,181.

Anthony Sica has been employed by Joseph Gunnar since 10/2003.

Brokers have a duty to make recommendations that are suitable, taking into account the age, health, level of financial sophistication, risk tolerance and investment objectives of the customer.

If you have questions about  an account handled by Anthony Sica, call for a no charge consultation to learn how 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

Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Misrepresentation, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockCross Financial Services, Unauthorized Trading, Unsuitable Investments

Herbert Voss, Jr.-Former StockCross Broker-Discloses Numerous Customer Suits & Termination From Employment-Beverly Hills, CA

June 2018- Beverly Hills, CA

The FINRA records of Herbert Voss, Jr.  , a former stock broker who was last employed by StockCross Financial Services , disclose a regulatory event,  a pending customer dispute, 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.

In May 2018 FINRA permanently barred Voss from the securities industry after he failed to appear before FINRA for on the record testimony concerning a customer complaint alleging that Voss had engaged in unauthorized trading in the customer’s account.

Prior settlements with customers include:

  • In 2/2017 a customer of StockCross Financial alleged that Voss made unsuitable investment recommendations. That case was settled for $900,000 in 12/2017.
  • In FINRA case 10-1389 a customer of his former employer UBS Financial alleged that Voss charged excessive commissions and made unauthorized trades. That case settled for $950,000.

In currently pending FINRA arbitration #17-03505 a customer of Stockcross Financial alleges poor performance, fiduciary breach and failure to supervise. The customer seeks damages of $550,000.

Voss  was employed by StockCross Financial   since 7/2009 until 5/2018 when he was discharged after a customer alleged unauthorized trading in options.

If you have questions about  an account handled by Herbert Voss, Jr. , 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

Discretionary Trading, Failure to Supervise, H.J. Sims & Co., High Pressure Sales, Junk Bonds, Misrepresentation, Municipal Bonds, Stockbroker Malpractice, Stoever, Glass & Company, Unauthorized Trading, Unsuitable Investments

Adam Goodman-Former H.J. Sims Broker-Has Several Customer Complaints-Boca Raton, FL

May 2018- Boca Raton, FL

The FINRA records of  Adam C. Goodman ,  a  registered stock broker who recently left Herbert J. Sims to join Stoever, Glass & Co. ,  disclose  a pending customer dispute and two 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 12/2017 a customer of Herbert J. Sims was paid #21,000 to resolve allegations that Goodman recommended unsuitable corporate debt investments that resulted in losses.

In 3/2018 a customer of Herbert J. Sims was paid $50,000 to resolve allegations that Goodman made misrepresentations in connetion with an investment in junk bonds and that he traded the account without authorization.

In currently pending FINRA Case 18-01064, a customer of Herbert J. Sims alleges high pressure sales tactics, unsuitable investments, fraud and negligence and is seeking damages of $25,000.

Goodman was employed by Herbert J. Sims   from 8/2010-1/2018  when he left and joined Stoever Glass & Co. 

If you have losses in an account handled by Adam Goodman, 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

Discretionary Trading, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, R. F. Lafferty, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unauthorized Trading, Wells Notice

Charles Lawrence-Former Morgan Stanley Broker-Subject of Regulatory Investigation- Palm Harbor, FL

May 2018-Palm Harbor, Florida

The FINRA records of  Charles J. Lawrence,  a  stockbroker who currently is employed by  R. F. Lafferty & Co.  disclose a pending regulatory investigation and a recent employment separation after allegations.

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 March 2016, Lawrence was discharged from Morgan Stanley who made the following allegations on his FINRA record: “Allegations involving adherence to industry rules and/or firm policy regarding use of trading discretion.”

In January 2018 Lawrence was sent a Wells Notice indicating that FINRA has made a preliminary determination to recommend that disciplinary action be brought against him alleging potential violations of NASD Rules 2510 (Discretionary Accounts)  and 2310 (Recommendations to Customers) and FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Principles).

Lawrence  was registered with Morgan Stanley from 6/2009-4/2016. He has been registered with R.F. Lafferty since 4/2016.

What is Discretionary Authority ?

 In this context, it means that the broker makes trades in the customer’s account without first consulting the customer. It means that the broker can decide how much of a security to buy or sell, and at what price, without customer input. Generally discretionary trading in an investor account is only allowed if the investor has authorized the broker to do so in writing and the brokerage firm has approved the account for discretionary trading.

If a broker makes trades in an account without having discretionary authority and without first consulting with the customer, that is generally considered to be an unauthorized trade and the customer may be entitled to damages for any 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