Category Archives: Oil & Gas Investment

Energy Securities, Morgan Stanley, Oil & Gas Investment, Oil & Gas Master Limited Partnership (MLP), Oil related investments, Purshe Kaplan Sterling Inv., UIT (Unit Investment Trust), Unsuitable Investments

Thomas Brolle Investigation-Former Morgan Stanley Broker-Allentown, PA

April 2018-Allentown, PA

We are investigating former Morgan Stanley broker Thomas Brolle  on behalf of a retired couple who allege that they have suffered losses as a result of  unsuitable investments in energy, biotech and precious metals, including but not limited to:

  • Breitburn Energy Partners, L.P.
  • Seadrill, Ltd.
  • NRG Yield
  • Vanguard Natural Resources
  • Goldman Sachs MLP Energy Terraform Global
  • Crescent Point Energy
  • Celldex Therapeutics 
  • First Trust Precious Metals unit investment trusts

According to FINRA records, Thomas Brolle is not currently  registered with any broker dealers. He was employed by Morgan Stanley from 6/2009-11/2016. From 11/2016-12/2017 he was employed by Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments.

We are interested in hearing from anyone having information helpful to our investigation.

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, Business Development Company (BDC), Oil & Gas Investment, Oil and Gas Partnerships, Private Placements, Reg D Offerings(private placements), Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments

Want to Sell Your Alternative Investments? Want to Recover Losses on REIT Investments?

April 2018

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.

If you have watched the value of your investments in alternative investments decline and wonder how you can get out of these investments that cannot be sold on any conventional exchange, you may be pleased to know that there are several secondary markets that have developed over the years which provide investors the opportunity to dispose of these investments.

Here are two popular market makers. Each has its own set of procedures for buying and selling alternative investments. Visit their sites for details.

Central Trade & Transfer

www.CTTAuctions.com

CFX Markets

www.CFXtrading.com

Recent (April 2018)  trading ranges quoted by CTT Auctions  for some of the most popular non publicly traded alternative investments.

ALTERNATIVE  INVESTMENT                    Recent Price

ARC New York City REIT                                 $13.00-13.28

Black Creek Diversified Prop.                      $6.85-7.00
Business Dev. Corp. (BDCA)                         $6.50-6.75
Carter Validus Mission Critical REIT       $5.50-5.75
CNL Healthcare                                                    $8.61-8.90
Cole Credit Prop Tr. IV                                      $7.65-8.00
Cole Credit V                                                          $18.55-18.85
Corporate Prop 17                                              $9.50-9.65

Corporate Prop 18                                             $7.95-8.17

Healthcare Trust (ARC II)                                $13.96-14.01

Highland REIT (InvenTrust spinoff)          $.21-.22
Hines Global REIT                                               $7.85-8.00

HMS Income Fund                                               $7.20-7.35
Inven Trust (Inland American)                      $1.84-1.90
KBS Legacy Prnrs Apt REIT                           $3.65-3.80
KBS II                                                                           $4.13-4.05

KBS REIT III                                                             $9.85-9.95
KBS Strategic Opp REIT II                             $7.75-8.00

Lightstone Value Plus REIT V                      $5.80-6.01
Northstar Healthcare Income                     $6.50-6.71
Phillip Edison Grocery Center REIT I      $9.25-9.50

Strategic Realty Trust (TNP)                         $4.50-4.55
United Development Fund III                      $2.50-2.65

HAVE YOU SUFFERED A LOSS ON ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS?

If you have losses on your alternative investments, you may be able to recover damages from the brokerage firm that recommended the investments to you. Call for a no obligation consultation with an experienced securities attorney to learn about you 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

 

Energy Securities, FINRA, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, Lack of Due Diligence, Misrepresentation, Oil & Gas Investment, Oil and Gas Partnerships, Oil related investments, Private Placements, Reef Securities Inc., Reg D Offerings(private placements), Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments

How to Recover Losses on Reef Oil and Gas Fund Investments

April 2018-Richardson, TX

Reef Securities Inc. and its owner and president Frank Mauceli were sanctioned by FINRA on April 11, 2018, for failing to timely notify investors in an Oil and Gas Drilling and Income Fund L.P. , sold in 2014, of revisions to an offering prospectus and of the investors’ rights to rescind his or her investment.

In addition Reef was sanctioned for advertising violations in another Reef offering. According to the FINRA sanction the subject advertising communications:

“failed to provide a balanced presentation or a sound basis for evaluating the investments being promoted, contained misleading and unwarranted claims, and, in addition, made prohibited profit projections.”

FINRA noted the following as being inconsistent and unwarranted statements in the subject advertising materials:

  • a 3 year profit range of 45%-75% in one communication vs a 35-45% range in another communication
  • a divest period of 24-36 months in one communication vs. 3-5 years in another communication
  • prohibited investor performance projections such as “Total Anticipated Profit 45%-75%”

Reef Securities was censured and fined $40,000. Mauceli was fined $5,000 and suspended 4 months from association from any FINRA member firm in all principal capacities. FINRA AWC2015043469001

Reef Oil and Gas, an affiliate of Reef Securities, engages in the developing, exploiting and producing oil and natural gas.

A partial list of recent Reef oil and gas offerings we have been investigating:

  • Reef 2015 Oil & Gas Opportunity Fund
  • Reef 2015 Income Fund
  • Reef Bakken Bear Cat Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2012-A Private Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2011 Private Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2010 Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2009 Drilling Fund
  • Reef 2007-2009 Drilling Program
  • Reef Oil & Gas Drilling & Income Fund
  • Reef Oil & Gas Income & Development Fund III
  • Reef Oil & Gas Income & Development Fund IV

Reef Oil and Gas investments were sold by many brokerage firms, including Reef Securities. These investments can be unsuitable for certain individuals, including the elderly and retired. If you have losses on an investment in one of the Reef Oil and Gas offerings, call for a no charge consultation to discuss your 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

Failure to Supervise, Misrepresentation, Oil & Gas Investment, Oil & Gas Master Limited Partnership (MLP), Oil and Gas Partnerships, Oil related investments, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments

Losses on EV Energy Partners ? You May be Entitled to Damages.

April 2, 2018

Houston based EV Energy Partners, L P (EVEP) , an oil and gas master limited partnership (MLP) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

According to a press release EVEP listed between $50-$100 million in assets and liabilities between $500 million and $1 billion. EVEP has oil & gas properties in the Barnett Shale, San Juan Basin, Appalachian Basin, Permian Basin and Karnes County, Texas.

If the broker who recommended an investment in  EV Energy Partners misrepresented the risks associated with the investment  or if the broker did not have reasonable basis to make such a recommendation, losses may be recoverable from the firm employing the broker. Call for a no charge consultation to discuss your options.

Chart of EV Energy Partners

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

Accelerated Capital Group, Alternative Investments, Concentrated Positions, Energy Securities, Failure to Supervise, Limited Partnerships, Misrepresentation, Oil & Gas Investment, Oil & Gas Master Limited Partnership (MLP), Peachcap (Peachtree Capital Corp), Private Placements, Reg D Offerings(private placements), REITs, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments

Aaron Brodt-Former Accelerated Capital Group Broker-Subject of Customer Suits Alleging Unsuitable Investments-Scottsdale, AZ

March 2018-Scottsdale, AZ

The FINRA records of Aaron Paul Brodt  , an advisor with Ashton Thomas Private Wealth who is currently a registered stockbroker with  Peachcap (Peachtree Capital Corp.)  , disclose a currently pending customer dispute and 3 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 FINRA case #16-2532,  a client alleged damages of $100,000 for recommending a debt-asset backed investment purchased in May 2015. The customer alleged the recommendation was unsuitable. That case settled for $58,333.

In a second similar case in 2016 , a customer alleged that  Brodt recommended a debt-asset backed investment  in May and October of 2015 that was also unsuitable. That case was settled for $116,667.

In the currently pending matter, FINRA Case 17-1178, a customer of Brodt’s prior employer, Accelerated Capital Group alleges negligence, over concentration, breach of fiduciary duty and failure to supervise in connection with the recommendation to purchase alternative investments. The customer seeks damages of $340,000.

Alternative investments include non publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITS)  and limited partnerships (oil and gas and equipment leasing) . It may also include art, wine, antiques, coins or stamps. These investments tend to be complex, illiquid, non transparent, 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. They are generally not suitable for retirees who are seeking to protect from the loss of capital.

Brodt has been registered with Peachcap since 7/2016. Prior to that he was registered with Accelerated Capital Group 2/2012-5/2016.

If you have questions about an account handled by Aaron Brodt, call for a no charge consultation to discuss your 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