Articles Posted in Securities Fraud

Recently, Matthew D. Hutcheson, a financial advisor and radio personality, reportedly was indicted on federal charges. Investment fraud lawyers say Hutcheson, who is well known in the securities industry, has been indicted for funding his home renovations and purchasing interest in a golf and ski resort with his clients’ retirement plan funds. Hutcheson authored the…

According to an announcement on April 12, 2012, from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Goldman Sachs & Co. has been fined $22 million for “failing to supervise equity research analyst communications with traders and clients and for failing to adequately monitor trading in advance of published research changes to detect and prevent possible information…

Former securities broker Gregory Bartko has been found guilty of fraud and sentenced to 23 years in prison. Allegedly, Bartko defrauded 200 investors in a scheme that took $3.3 million from his clients. Bartko’s sentencing took place April 4 in the Federal District Court in Raleigh, North Carolina. According to stock fraud lawyers, Bartko’s victims…

According to securities arbitration lawyers, investors who sustained losses as a result of Retail Properties of America Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) may be able to recover losses through Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration. Formerly known as Inland Western REIT, Retail Properties of America is the third-largest shopping center REIT in the nation.…

According to stock fraud lawyers, clients of Wells Fargo Advisors LLC may be able to recover losses through Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitration. A claim was recently filed with on behalf of a Wells Fargo client because of the sales practices of one or more of its brokers. Allegedly, the client suffered significant losses, which…

Investment fraud lawyers are investigating potential claims on behalf of investors who suffered losses as a result of municipal bond purchases. Two of the bonds currently being investigated are the TW Tax Advantage Fund and Harrisburg. The TW Tax Advantage Fund, created by First Republic Investment Management, is a complicated, high-risk municipal arbitrage bond. Investment…

Investment fraud lawyers are investigating certain private placements in potential securities arbitration claims. Two of these private placements are the BGK Income and Opportunity Fund. Allegedly, some of the broker-dealers that recommended these private placement investments could be liable for investor losses. Because of the high commission paid by private placements (often as high as…

David Lerner Associates was recently ordered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to pay more than $3.7 million in restitution and fines. The decision is a result of David Lerner’s practices in overcharging retail customers on sales of 1,700 collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and over 1,500 municipal bonds transactions. The municipal bonds and CDOs…

According to investment fraud lawyers, investors who sustained significant losses because of their investment in Cornerstone Core Properties REIT may be able to recover losses through Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration. Full-service brokerage firms who sold Cornerstone are now being investigated. Pacific Cornerstone Capital Inc., the sponsor of the Cornerstone REIT, is only one…

On March 19, 2012, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced its decision to fine Citi Financial Services LLC for charging excessive markups and markdowns and related supervisory violations. In addition to a $600,000 fine, FINRA ordered Citi Financial to pay $648,000 in restitution and interest to wronged customers. Over 3,600 customers were charged excessive…