Category Archives: Alternative Investments

Alternative Investments, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Triad Advisors, Unsuitable Investments

Mark Alex Reffett- Former Triad Advisors Broker- Discloses $1.5 Million Customer Dispute- Atlanta, GA

November 2020- Atlanta, GA

According to publicly available records, former Triad Advisors broker Mark Alex Reffett  discloses a pending customer dispute.

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 April of 2020, a customer of Triad Advisors, –a previous employer of Reffett-  filed FINRA case #20-01341 alleging claims of unsuitable investment strategy in alternative investments beginning in 2014 and continuing through 2016 with alleged damages of $1,575,881.   The case is still pending.

Reffett was  employed by Triad Advisors from 6/2013-3/2017.  He is currently registered with ACG Wealth, Arkadios Capital and EPG Wealth Management. Reffett discloses business affiliations with Stratford Capital LLC and RCM Capital Holdings.  

If you have losses in an account handled by Mark Alex Reffett , call to learn how you may be able to recover damages through FINRA arbitration.

Alternative Investments

Investors owning non publicly traded alternative investments, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs) and oil and gas partnerships may not have been aware of the meaning of illiquid when  the investments were recommended to them by a financial advisor or stockbroker.

These  investments generated high commissions for the firm and broker and were typically sold to unsuspecting with the promise of a steady dependable stream of income, a promise of steady or increasing value and with little discussion of the fact that the investment cannot be sold on any conventional exchange should a need for cash arise.

Many investors made the decision to purchase these investments without a clear understanding of the risks associated with them. Many purchased them not aware that they are illiquid.

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, Failure to Supervise, Private Placements, Raymond James, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

John T. Howard-Raymond James Broker-Discloses $1.13 Million Award & Pending Customer Dispute-Birmingham, AL

February 2020- Birmingham, AL

The FINRA records of John Troy Howard (CRD#2264121)  , a broker with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. discloses a prior arbitration award and a pending customer dispute.

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 2008 a customer of  Morgan, Keegan & Company, Howard’s previous employer, filed FINRA case #08-00667 alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of common law duties of care, good faith and best execution, breach of common law duty of not to engage in unauthorized transactions and negligence.  Damages awarded were $1,134,601.

In 9/2019 a  Raymond James & Associates, Inc. customer  filed FINRA case #19-02833 , alleging breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of contract, violations of the Alabama Securities, and violations of the Securities and Exchange Act by Howard.   The customer seeks damages of $160,000.

Howard  has worked for Raymond James & Associates, Inc.  since 2/2013.    Before that he was with Morgan, Keegan & Company and  AmSouth Investment Services.    

If you have questions about an account handled by John Troy Howard  call for a no charge consultation with an experienced securities attorney .

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

Alternative Investments, Annuities, Business Development Company (BDC), Failure to Supervise, FSC Securities Corporation, Misrepresentation, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments

Investigation of FSC Securities Broker Lee Kramer -West Palm Beach, FL/Frederick, MD

October 2020- West Palm Beach, Florida/Frederick, Maryland

We are investigating FSC Securities Corporation financial advisor Lee R. Kramer.

According to publicly available records, Lee R. Kramer discloses 7 prior regulatory events, two pending customer disputes and one prior customer dispute, and 2 terminations from employment.

Kramer’s regulatory issues include allegations by Massachusetts securities regulators that he was the subject of 7 disclosures alleging alteration of a variable annuity application, failure to provide notice of replacement of a variable annuity, failure to disclose consent orders to state regulators, possible signature irregularities and failure to report customer emails to his supervisor. Massachusetts R-2005-188.

In pending FINRA Case 19-2969, a customer of FSC Securities alleges that Kramer made unsuitable recommendations to invest in an annuity, a business development company and unsuitable stocks. The customer is seeking damages of $93,000.

In another recently filed matter a customer of FSC Securities is seeking $62,000 alleging that Kramer recommended an unsuitable investment in a business development company.

IN 2005, Kramer was discharged by Securities America who allege that Kramer failed to disclose state insurance department consent orders.

In 2002, Kramer was ‘permitted to resign’ from Veravest Investments after an internal audit of over 800 customer files indicated that some customer files contained possible predictive statements, possible signature irregularities and two unreported emails from deaf customers.

Lee Kramer has been employed by FSC Securities since 3/2005.

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.

If you have information that you think would be helpful to our investigation of FSC Securities Corp. financial advisors Lee Kramer please contact our Boca Raton, FL, office at the number below.

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

Alternative Investments, Energy Securities, Kalos Capital, Madison Avenue Securities, Oil & Gas Investment, Oil and Gas Partnerships, Reg D Offerings(private placements), Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

Steven Netzel-Former Kalos Capital Broker-Discloses Pending $300K Customer Dispute-Sun Lakes, AZ

February 2020 – Sun Lakes, AZ

The FINRA records of Steven M. Netzel  , a stockbroker  who is currently not registered and who previously was employed by Kalos Capital , disclose  a currently pending customer dispute.

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 of 2012, Arizona Corporation Commission Securities Division issued sanctions, and fined Netzel $10,000 to resolve allegations that he sold unregistered securities.

In 10/2019 FINRA case #19-02921 was filed by a customer of  Netzel’s previous employer – Kalos Capital, Inc.  alleging unsuitable recommendations in oil & gas, real estate and other private equity and alternative investments. Damages of $300,000 are sought.

Netzel  was employed with Madison Avenue Securities  from June 2019 until August 2019.   He was with Kalos Capital, Inc. from November 2013 until June of 2019.   Prior to that he was with Madison Avenue Securities from 2/2009-12/2013.

Netzel discloses business affiliations with Netzel Financial, dba Affordable Supplemental, Inc. , Netzel Holdings LLC and Val Vista Capital Management  in Sun Lakes, AZ.

If you have questions about an account handled by Steven M. Netzel  call for a no charge consultation with an experienced securities attorney .

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

Alternative Investments, Cetera Advisors, Cetera Financial Group, REITs, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Summit Brokerage Services, Unsuitable Investments, VSR Financial Services

Robert Edward Burns- Cetera Broker-Discloses Customer Disputes-Greenwood Village, CO

January 2020- Greenwood Village, CO

The FINRA records of Robert Edward Burns, a stockbroker employed by  Cetera Advisor Networks , disclose a pending customer dispute and  a prior customer dispute.

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 2018 a  customer of Burns’ prior employer ,VSR Financial Services, Inc.; Summit Brokerage Services, was paid $150,000 in FINRA case #18-02447 to  resolve allegations that Burns made unsuitable investments in real estate securities and UDF IV.

In pending FINRA case #19-02163,  a VSR Financial Services, Inc.; Summit Brokerage Services, customer alleges overconcentration and unsuitable investments in alternative products as well as alleging that the firm failed to do due diligence on the alternative investments and is seeking $500,000 in damages.

For more information regarding the recovery of losses on alternative investments purchased from the now defunct VSR Financial Services, see this. 

Burns  has been employed by Cetera Advisors since September of 2019.   From September of 2016 until September of 2019, he was with Summit Brokerage Services and from September of 2016 until November 2016 he was with VSR Financial Services.

If you have questions about an account  handled by Robert Edward Burns Summit Brokerage, VSR Financial or Cetera Advisor Networks call for a no charge consultation to learn more about 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.

International Representation

Rex Securities Law

TollFree: 877-224-3199

Florida-561 391 1900 

Texas-512-329-2870