Tag Archives: texas securities attorney

Edward Jones, Failure to Supervise, Oklahoma Securities Commission, Unauthorized Trading

David Lancaster-Former Edward Jones Broker-Subject of Investigation for Unauthorized Trading-Wagoner, OK

April 2018 -Wagoner, OK

According to FINRA records, William David Lancaster ,  a  stockbroker who formerly was employed by Edward Jones, disclose a prior customer dispute, a regulatory investigation 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 Enforcement Division Recommendations  filed by the State Of Oklahoma Department of Securities in March 2018,  Lancaster is the subject of an internal investigation commenced by Edward Jones regarding discretionary trading in as many as 20 customer accounts. However, in an application filed by Lancaster with the regulatory he made inaccurate representations to the regulator regarding knowledge of the investigation. The Oklahoma regulator found that Lancaster has engaged in dishonest and unethical practices in the securities business.

David Lancaster  was employed by Edward Jones from 4/1999-2/2018.

Brokers have a duty to discuss purchases and sales with their customers prior to making trades in their accounts, unless previous written authority has been granted to the broker by the customer.

If you have losses  in an account handled by David Lancaster or believe that your account has been mishandled,  contact us for a no charge consultation 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

Failure to Supervise, Life Settlements, Stockbroker Malpractice, StockBroker Misconduct, Unsuitable Investments, Worth Financial Group

Jim Clark-Worth Finanical Group Broker-Discloses Settlement of Customer Suit For Mishandling Account-Dallas, TX

April 2018 -Dallas, Texas

According to publicly available records James  (Jim) Williard Clark ,  a  stockbroker who currently is employed by Worth Financial Group, disclose 4 prior regulatory issues, and  2 arbitration awards in favor of customers and a recently settled customer arbitration.

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 4/2018 a customer of Worth Financial Group alleged that Clark made an unsuitable investment recommendation to invest in income streams from veterans pensions. That case was settled for $180,000.

In 2013 a customer of Worth Financial was awarded $30,435 to resolve allegations that Clark caused  losses due to the account as a result of over concentration of the customer’s account in life settlement policies.

James W. Clark has been employed by Worth Financial Group since 2001.

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

If you have losses  in an account handled by James W. “Jim” Clark,  contact us for a no charge consultation 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

Alternative Investments, Annuities, Failure to Supervise, Limited Partnerships, Reg D Offerings(private placements), Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments, Wells Fargo

Keith Fontenot-Wells Fargo Stockbroker-Discloses Settlement of Customer Suits-Lafayette, LA

April 2018 -Lafayette, LA

According to publicly available records Keith A. Fontenot  (CRD#2296303) ,  a  stockbroker who currently is employed by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, disclose settlements in 2 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 15-2471 a Wells Fargo Advisors customer sought  damages in an unstated amount  and alleged misleading and unsuitable recommendations regarding buying and selling annuities. In October 2016 that case was settled for $400,000.

In FINRA case 17-1181 a customer of Wells Fargo Clearing Services sought damages of $80,000 and alleged unsuitable recommendations to invest in equities,  direct investments and limited partnerships. That case was settled in 2/2018 for $30,750.

Keith Fontenot has been employed with Wells Fargo Clearing Services since November 2016.  Before then he was employed with Wells Fargo Advisors since May of 2009.

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

If you have losses  in an account handled by Keith Fontenot,  contact us for a no charge consultation 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

Churning, Discretionary Trading, Failure to Supervise, Finra Investigation of Stockbroker, FIrst Financial Equity, Merrill Lynch, Stockbroker Discharged, Stockbroker Malpractice, Unsuitable Investments

Joseph I. Yanofsky-Former Merrill Broker-Subject of $2.2M Customer Dispute-Greenwood, CO

April 2018-Greenwood Village, Colorado

According to FINRA records, former Merrill Lynch broker Joseph I. Yanofsky , discloses a recent regulatory suspension, a pending customer dispute, a termination from employment 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.

In September 2017 Yanofsky was fined $10,000 and suspended for 20 business days to resolve FINRA allegations that he exercised discretion in nine customer accounts while at Merrill Lynch.

Yanofsky was registered with Merrill Lynch from 2/1990-5/2015, when he was discharged. In connection with his discharge  , Merrill made the following allegations:

“allegations relating to exercising discretion in non-discretionary accounts, providing inaccurate responses to related internal compliance questionnaires, directing an employee to enter trades utilizing another employee’s user identification and password and failing to report a customer complaint on a timely basis”

In a pending matter, a customer of Merrill Lynch alleges that Yanofsky failed to follow instructions, made unauthorized trades, excessively traded the account and made unsuitable investment recommendations from 2/2013-4/2015. Damages are alleged to be $2,268,095.

In a prior FINRA Case 15-2143, a Merrill Lynch customer alleged unsuitable recommendations and misrepresentations from 2012 to 2015 and sought damages of $400,000. That matter was settled in 7/2016 for $75,000.

Joseph Yanofsky is currently registered with First Financial Equity Corp. in Greenwood, CO.

If you have losses in an account handled by Joseph I. Yanofsky   you may be able to recover damages through FINRA arbitration. 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

StockBroker Misconduct

Cryptocurrency Offerings Targeted by Texas Securities Regulators

April 2018- Austin, Texas

The Texas State Securities Board (TSSB) found widespread fraud in cryptocurrency offerings that were tied to virtual currencies and has issued a 14 page report which can be found here: Enforcement Report:Widespread Fraud Found in Cryptocurrency Offerings. 

Since September 1, 2017, the TSSB Enforcement Division has opened over 60 investigations related to cryptocurrency investments.

If you are considering such an investment, you would be wise to read the TSSB report.

A few highlights from the report:

  • Investigators found that most promoters of cryptocurrencies were not providing investors with their physical address. If you invest in a mystery company, particularly one located overseas, you’re at great risk of never recouping your money if the investment is a scam.
  • None of the 32 promoters being investigated by the TSSB were registered to sell securities in Texas.
  • Instead of relying on registered professionals to sell the investments, some promoters recruit investors to pitch the investment to friends and family by offering a finders fee. This is a multi-level marketing scheme exposing the recruits to civil and criminal enforcement actions.

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