Category Archives: Calton & Associates

Alternative Investments, Calton & Associates, Failure to Supervise, REITs, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments, VSR Financial Services

Bob Wamhoff-Former VSR Financial Services Broker-Discloses Suits Involving REIT Investments-St. Charles, MO.

February 2018-Saint Charles, MO

The FINRA records of  Robert (Bob) Wamhoff,  a  stockbroker who was formerly employed by  VSR Financial Services  disclose 2 currently pending and  8 prior customer disputes that are final.

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.

Wamhoff, who operates Wamhoff Financial Planning and Accounting Services in St. Charles, MO,  discloses that he has settled 4 customer disputes , including:

  • FINRA Case 13-02493 in which a customer of VSR Financial Services alleged damages of $26,000  for breach of fiduciary duty, negligence and other claims related to an investment in real estate securities. That case was settled for $6,500.
  • A claim in July 2013 by a customer of VSR Financial Services who alleged unspecified damages for unsuitable investments in real estate securities and variable annuities. That case was settled for $30,000.
  • FINRA Case 9-6098 in which a customer of VSR Financial Services alleged damages of $150,000 for fraud, negligent omission and other claims in connection with investments in variable annuities, direct investments, limited partnerships and real estate securities. That case was settled for $65,000.

Two currently pending customers disputes are disclosed by Wamhoff:

  • 7/2017-a customer of VSR Financial Services alleges poor performance of oil and gas investments and real estate securities (REITs) and seeks damages of $235,000.
  • FINRA Case 17-0919- a customer of VSR Financial Services seeks damages of $50,000 and alleges breach of fiduciary duty, suitability, ongoing fraud, violation of Missouri Securities Act and other claims related to real estate securities.

Wamhoff is currently employed by Calton & Associates, Inc. He was employed by VSR Financial Services from 8/2005-7/2016. He discloses a business affiliation with DIBO Enterprises dba Wamhoff Financial Planning and Platinum Sports & Entertainment Management.

VSR Financial Services was fined $550,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in May 2013 in connection with the sale of alternative investments. In their findings, FINRA criticised VSR Financial for recommending high concentration levels of alternative investments in customer accounts and for its lack of supervision over the use of consolidated reports prepared by brokers and provided to customers.

Alternative investments include non publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITS) , hedge funds, real estate, commodities and derivatives contracts and, managed futures. It may also include art, wine, antiques, coins or stamps. These investments tend to be complex, illiquid, nontransparent, hard to value and expensive. Many of the alternative investments sold over recent years are not traded on any public market making them difficult to value and even more difficult to liquidate if cash is needed.

If you have losses in an account in an account handled by Robert (Bob) Wamhoff or VSR Financial Services , contact us to discuss how you may be able to recover damages for those 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

Alternative Investments, Calton & Associates, Misrepresentation, Oil & Gas Investment, Oil & Gas Royalty Trusts, Oil and Gas Partnerships, Oil related investments, Private Placements, Reg D Offerings(private placements), Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments, VSR Financial Services

Lisa Allen-Former VSR Financial Services Broker-Investigation-Austin, TX

December 2017–Austin, Texas

We are investigating former VSR Financial Services broker Lisa A. Allen (Lisa Ann Fowler)  in connection with the sale of various direct investments including real estate securities and limited partnership interests.

According to FINRA records in 2013 Allen was was the subject of  a FINRA arbitration by a customer alleging unsuitable investments, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the sale of various direct investments. FINRA Case #13-2256.

FINRA records  report that Allen is currently registered with Calton & Associates. She was previously registered with VSR Financial Services from 6/2002-8/2016. Lisa Allen discloses a business relationship with Smart Money Group, LLC.

VSR’s  Alternative Investment Problem & Closing of Firm

VSR Financial Services closed down its offices in the Fall of 2016.

See below for discussion of VSR’s regulatory issues related to the sale of real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil and gas partnerships and other alternative investments and how you may be able to recover damages for losses on those investments.

VSR is well known for its sales of alternative investments such as non-traded REITs, equipment leasing programs, oil & gas drilling programs, promissory notes and commodity funds. In 2013, VSR and its president Donald Beary, were sanctioned by FINRA in connection with the sale of alternative investments. VSR paid a fine of $550,000.

Recovery of Investment Losses On Limited Partnerships and Other Alternative Investments Purchased From VSR Financial

Over the past several years we have represented a number of investors, mostly retirees, who were recommended alternative investments with the promise of steady, dependable income and minimal risk.

Follow this link for other postings related to the recovery of losses on investments purchased from VSR Financial Services.

Alternative investments include non publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITS) , hedge funds, real estate, commodities and derivatives contracts and, managed futures. These investments tend to be complex, illiquid, nontransparent, hard to value and expensive. Many of the alternative investments sold over recent years are not traded on any public market making them difficult to value and even more difficult to liquidate if cash is needed.

If you have losses in an account with VSR Financial Services, contact us to discuss how you may be able to recover damages for those losses .

Time is of the essence, so if you have a claim, you would be wise to pursue immediately.

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

Calton & Associates, Elder Financial Abuse, Failure to Supervise, FInancial Exploitation of the Elderly, Misrepresentation, Stockbroker Malpractice, Texas State Securities Board, Unsuitable Investments, VSR Financial Services

Mickey Long-Former VSR Financial Broker-DIscloses Numerous Customer Complaints Over Alternative Investments-Plano, TX

November  2017-Plano, Texas

According to public records former VSR Financial Services broker M. F. (Mickey) Long discloses a prior final regulatory event, 10 prior customer disputes that are final and 4 pending customer disputes. In addition Long discloses a prior regulatory matter that is final.

Three of the prior customer disputes were brought by Long’s customers while he was employed by VSR Financial Services and allege damages related to investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil and gas, equipment leasing and promissory notes (alternative investments). Settlements paid by VSR Financial in those three cases are $196,500, $82,500 and $235,000.

The three pending cases against Long are all brought by customers of VSR Financial and relate to alternative investments such as REITs, oil and gas and equipment leasing. Damages sought in the four pending cases range from  $94,438 to $838,389. Claims alleged are highly unsuitable investments that are illiquid and that were overly concentrated.

In October 2016, the Texas State Securities Board (TSSB) entered a Disciplinary Order against M. F. (Mickey) Long II. 

The TSSB Order made certain findings with regard to Mr. Long’s business practices during the time he was employed by VSR Financial Services (6/2002-6/2016), including the following:

  • Long routinely recommended that VSR Financial clients invest in non-listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and interests in exploratory drilling programs sold through private offerings (Alternative Investments)
  • Long recommended that a client of VSR Financial who was over 70 years of age invest in Alternative Investments at risk tolerance levels that were excessive.
  • Long did not have a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendations he made to invest in the Alternative Investments were suitable for this elderly client.

Long and and his new employer Calton & Associates agreed that so long as Mr. Long is registered with Calton he will not sell or recommend the purchase of any Alternative Investments.  In addition, Long and Calton agreed that Calton will establish a heightened supervision plan for the supervision of Mr. Long’s practice for two years. Mr Long’s registration with TSSB was suspended for 45 days as a part of the Order.

See this for prior posts on Mickey Long. 

VSR Financial’s Prior Issues with Alternative Investments

VSR Financial Services was fined $550,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in May 2013 in connection with the sale of alternative investments. In their findings, FINRA criticised VSR Financial for recommending high concentration levels of alternative investments in customer accounts and for its lack of supervision over the use of consolidated reports prepared by brokers and provided to customers. VSR Financial announced that they were winding down their brokerage business and transferring many of their brokers and customer accounts  to an affiliated entity Summit Brokerage Services in the fall of 2016.

See this for prior posts on VSR Financial Services.

Alternative investments include non publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITS) , hedge funds, real estate, commodities and derivatives contracts and, managed futures. It may also include art, wine, antiques, coins or stamps. These investments tend to be complex, illiquid, nontransparent, hard to value and expensive. Many of the alternative investments sold over recent years are not traded on any public market making them difficult to value and even more difficult to liquidate if cash is needed.

Long was employed by VSR FInancial  Services from 6/2002-7/2016. He has been registered with Calton & Associates since 6/2016. Long discloses a business affiliation with Wealth Preservation Consultants and  First FInancial Services Group.

If you have losses in an account in an account handled by Mickey Long or  another VSR Financial Services broker, contact us to discuss how you may be able to recover damages for those losses.

The Law Offices of Robert H. Rex, P.C.  , 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

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870

Alternative Investments, Calton & Associates, M.F. (Mickey) Long II (VSR Financial), Misrepresentation, Oil & Gas Investment, Oil & Gas Master Limited Partnership (MLP), Oil & Gas Royalty Trusts, Oil and Gas Partnerships, Oil related investments, Promissory Notes, Reg D Offerings(private placements), REITs, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Texas State Securities Board, Unsuitable Investments, VSR Financial Services

Mickey Long-Former VSR Financial Services Broker-Discloses Pending Customer Disputes-Plano, TX

February  2017-Plano, Texas

According to public records former VSR Financial Services broker M. F. (Mickey) Long discloses a prior final regulatory event, 10 prior customer disputes that are final and 3 pending customer disputes.

Three of the prior customer disputes were brought by Long’s customers while he was employed by VSR Financial Services and allege damages related to investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil and gas, equipment leasing and promissory notes (alternative investments). Settlements paid by VSR Financial in those three cases are $196,500, $82,500 and $235,000.

The three pending cases against Long are by customers of VSR Financial and relate to alternative investments such as REITs, oil and gas and equipment leasing. Damages sought in the three pending cases range from  $149,200 to $838,389.

In October 2016, the Texas State Securities Board (TSSB) entered a Disciplinary Order against M. F. (Mickey) Long II who operates First Financial Services Group in Plano, TX, and stock brokerage firm Calton & Associates.

The TSSB Order made certain findings with regard to Mr. Long’s business practices during the time he was employed by VSR Financial Services (6/2002-6/2016), including the following:

  • Long routinely recommended that VSR Financial clients invest in on-listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and interests in exploratory drilling programs sold through private offerings (Alternative Investments)
  • Long recommended that a client of VSR Financial who was over 70 years of age invest in Alternative Investments at risk tolerance levels that were excessive.
  • Long did not have a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendations he made to invest in the Alternative Investments were suitable for this elderly client.

Long and Calton agreed that so long as Mr. Long is registered with Calton he will not sell or recommend the purchase of any Alternative Investments.  In addition, Long and Calton agreed that will establish a heightened supervision plan for the supervision of Mr. Long’s practice for two years. Mr Long’s registration with TSSB was suspended for 45 days as a part of the Order.

See this for prior posts on Mickey Long. 

VSR Financial’s Prior Issues with Alternative Investments

VSR Financial Services was fined $550,000 by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) in May 2013 in connection with the sale of alternative investments. In their findings, FINRA criticised VSR Financial for recommending high concentration levels of alternative investments in customer accounts and for its lack of supervision over the use of consolidated reports prepared by brokers and provided to customers. During the summer of 2016, VSR Financial announced that they were winding down their brokerage business and transferring accounts and brokers to an affiliated entity Summit Brokerage Services.

See this for prior posts on VSR Financial Services.

Alternative investments include non publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITS) , hedge funds, real estate, commodities and derivatives contracts and, managed futures. It may also include art, wine, antiques, coins or stamps. These investments tend to be complex, illiquid, nontransparent, hard to value and expensive. Many of the alternative investments sold over recent years are not traded on any public market making them difficult to value and even more difficult to liquidate if cash is needed.

Long was employed by VSR FInancial  Services from 6/2002-7/2016. He has been registered with Calton & Associates since 6/2016.

If you have losses in an account in an account handled by Mickey Long or  another VSR Financial Services broker, contact us to discuss how you may be able to recover damages for those 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

Alexander Capital, Calton & Associates, Churning, Coker & Palmer, Failure to Supervise, J.P. Turner & Company, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

Ty K. Bauer-Former J.P. Turner Broker-Discloses Customer Disputes-Oxford, MS

January 2017- Oxford, MS

According to publicly available records Ty Kevin Bauer , (CRD# 2150885) ,  a  stockbroker who is currently employed by Alexander Capital,  disclose 2 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 FINRA Case 13-3434, a customer of Bauer’s prior employers, J.P. Turner & Co. and Calton & Assoc, alleged damages of $200,000 for misrepresentations related to bond investments for the period of time October 2011 to the present. That case was settled for $18,000.

Bauer has been employed by Alexander Capital since 7/2016.  Bauer was previously employed by Coker & Palmer 1/2015-7/2016 and by J.P. Turner 11/2011-1/2015. Prior to that he was employed by Calton & Associates.

If you have questions about an account in an account handled by Ty K. Bauer, contact us 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 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