Category Archives: FINRA

Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Promissory Notes, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Theft, Western International Securities

Bradley Mascho-Former Western International Securities Broker- Charged with Securities Fraud- Frederick, MD

November 2019 – Frederick, MD

The FINRA records of Bradley Mascho  , a currently unregistered stockbroker who was last employed by  Western International Securities, discloses 2 regulatory events , a criminal event, a civil event, 9 pending customer disputes, 5 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 1/2018, FINRA  permanently barred Mascho after he refused to appear for a FINRA-requested on- the -record testimony during an investigation into his potential serious violations, including fraud, undisclosed outside business activities, and private securities transactions.

In 12/2017, United States Securities and Exchange Commission filed case 8:17cv2453 alleging violations of Section 5(a) and (c), Section 17(a) of Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) and 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.   Sanctions sought are Civil and Administrative Penalties/Fines, Disgorgement, monetary penalty other than fines and injunction.   This case is pending.

In 11/2017 Mascho was charged with a felony count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, one felony count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of Securities Fraud; aiding and abetting,   Charges are currently pending in the US DIstrict Court of Maryland.

In 12/2017 the SEC charged Mascho and his company DJB Holdings with fraud in connection with raising over $20 million through the sale of convertible and promissory notes in the company.

From 3/2015 until  4/2019, 5 customer disputes were filed by customers of Western International Securities, Inc.,  alleging unsuitable recommendations, negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.  These cases were settled in the cumulative amount of nearly $500,000

The following cases , filed by customers of Western International, are still pending.

  1. Case #19-00748 alleging damages of $427,538.
  2. Case #19-00977 alleging  damages of $100,000.
  3. Case #19-00517 alleging damages of $2,444,388.
  4. Case #18-03902 alleging damages of $500,000.
  5. Case #18-03888 alleging damages of $200,000.
  6. Case #18-03080 alleging damages of $353,000.
  7. Case #18-03958 alleging damages of $150,000.
  8. Case #18-03941 alleging damages of $250,000.
  9. Case #18-00968 alleging damages of $5,000.

Mascho worked for Western International Securities  from 10/2009-12/2017.

Prior to that Mascho was employed by Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., Legg Mason Wood Walker, and  American Express Financial Advisors.  

If you have questions about an account  handled by Bradley Mascho  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

Birkelbach Investment Securities, Broker Discloses Personal Bankruptcy, Churning, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Forest Securities, StockBroker Misconduct, Unauthorized Trading, Unsuitable Investments

Jack D. Stone-Former Forest Securities Broker-Discloses Customer Disputes & Regulatory Issues-Hillside, IL

September 2019 – Hillside, IL

The FINRA records of Jack David Stone  , a former stockbroker who was last employed by  Forest Securities, Inc. , disclose 4 regulatory events, 1 pending customer dispute, 2 prior customer disputes, a termination from employment and a bankruptcy.

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 9/2019, FINRA  without admitting or denying the findings,  Stone consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to appear for  FINRA on-the-record testimony in connection with an investigation into his securities activities while at his member firm, including possible misrepresentations to customers, use of discretion and unauthorized transactions.  Stone was permanently barred from the securities industry by FINRA.

In 1/2013 a customer of his prior employer Birkelbach Investment Securities was paid $100,000 to resolve allegations that Stone made unsuitable investments and churned the customer’s account. FINRA Case 11-822,

In pending FINRA case 17-2211 a customer of Forest Securities alleges that Stone churned the account, committed fraud and made unauthorized trades in the account. Damages are not specified.

In 5/2000 Stone was permitted to resign from Schwab Capital Markets following being barred from New York Stock Exchange membership for three years.

Stone discloses a pending Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Stone was employed by Forest Securities from 4/2012-8/2019.

If you have problems in an account  handled by Jack D. Stone  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

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

Alternative Investments, Coastal Equities, Failure to Supervise, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Limited Partnerships, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments

Luke M. Johnson-Former Coastal Equities Broker-Investigation Over GPB Auto Losses-Scottsdale, AZ

March 2020-Scottsdale, AZ

We are investigating  former Coastal Equities Inc. broker Luke Michael Johnson on behalf of an Arizona resident who alleges that she was sold an unsuitable investment in GPB Capital Holdings. GPB Capital Holdings is currently under investigation by the Securities & Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

GPB Capital Holdings‘ affiliates include:

  • GPB Holdings LP
  • GPB Holdings I
  • GPB Holdings II
  • GPB Automotive Portfolio LP
  • GPB Waste Management LP
  • Armada Waste Management
  • GPB NYC Development LP

GPB Holdings II and GPB Automotive have both seen substantial declines in value over recent months.

According to publicly available records Luke M. Johnson, discloses 8 pending customer disputes, 3 prior customer disputes and 3 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 FINRA Case 20-0042 a customer of Coastal Equities alleges that between June 2017 -June 2018, Johnson failed to conduct adequate due diligence on certain investments made unsuitable recommendations. The customer is seeking damages of $509,000.

In 12/2019 a customer of Coastal Equities made a claim for $363,568 and alleges the Johnson breached his fiduciary duty and made unsuitable investment  recommendations.

In FINRA Case 18-4125 a customer of Coastal Equities/ Coastal Investment Advisors alleged that Johnson made unsuitable recommendations of alternative investments and limited partnerships. That case was settled for $225,000.

In FINRA Case 18-2266 a customer of Coastal Equities alleged that Johnson recommended unsuitable real estate securities causing losses. That case was settled for $140,000.

In pending FINRA Case 19-1548, a customer of Coastal Equities is seeking damages of $750,000 and alleges that Johnson made misrepresentations and omissions in  soliciting the sale of private placement investments.

In other pending cases, customers of Coastal Equities are seeking unspecified damages for mismanagement of their portfolios.

Luke Johnson is not currently registered with any broker dealer. He was  employed by Coastal Equities from 4/2012 until 12/2019. He does business under the name of Legend Capital Group in Scottsdale, AZ.

Johnson was discharged by Coastal Equities in 11/2019. Coastal makes the following allegation on Johnson’s FINRA record: “Registered Representative failed to follow firm policy to timely forward a customer complaint to his superior and compliance, and by inconsistently stating a customer’s liquid net worth on client disclosure documents.”

If you have an account handled by Luke M. Johnson that you believe has been mishandled, contact us 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