Articles Posted in broker misconduct

Based upon recent secondary market pricing, investors in certain publicly registered, non-traded business development companies (“BDCs”), may have suffered losses on their illiquid investments. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, many retail investors have been steered into so-called non-conventional investments (“NCIs”), including non-traded REITs and BDCs, often premised upon a sales pitch or…

On May 1, 2018, FINRA Department of Enforcement entered into a settlement via Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”) with Respondent Laidlaw & Company (UK) LTD. (“Laidlaw”) (BD# 119037). Without admitting or denying any wrongdoing — Laidlaw consented to a public censure by FINRA, the imposition of a $25,000 fine, as well as agreeing to furnish…

Former financial advisor Scott William Palmer (CRD# 817586), who was most recently affiliated with Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) (BD# 463), has voluntarily consented to a bar from the securities industry pursuant to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (“AWC”) accepted by FINRA Enforcement on April 10, 2018. Without admitting or denying any wrongdoing,…

On March 27, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced formal charges against Wedbush Securities Inc. (“Wedbush”, CRD# 877) with respect to allegations that the broker-dealer failed to supervise its employee, Ms. Timary Delorme (f/k/a Timary Koller) (“Delorme”). Based on its investigation, the SEC alleged Wedbush ignored numerous red flags indicating that Ms. Delorme…

Former financial advisor Thomas Alan Meier (CRD# 1146044), who was most recently affiliated with Morgan Stanley (CRD# 149777), has voluntarily consented to a bar from the securities industry pursuant to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (“AWC”) accepted by FINRA Enforcement on March 19, 2018. Without admitting or denying any wrongdoing, the Miami, FL…

Financial advisor Mark Kaplan (CRD# 1978048), who was most recently affiliated with Vanderbilt Securities, LLC (CRD# 5953, hereinafter “Vanderbilt”), has voluntarily consented to a bar from the securities industry pursuant to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (“AWC”) signed off on by FINRA Enforcement on March 7, 2018. Without admitting or denying any wrongdoing,…

As recently reported, Brandon Curt Stimpson (CRD# 4299623) has been discharged from employment with broker-dealer Allegis Investment Services, LLC (CRD# 168577, hereinafter referred to as “Allegis”). According to FINRA BrokerCheck, Mr. Simpson’s affiliation with Allegis was terminated on or about December 13, 2017, in connection with allegations that he “[f]ailed to follow firm policies and…

As recently disclosed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), former Morgan Stanley (CRD# 149777) financial advisor, Kevin Scott Woolf (CRD# 6145312), has voluntarily consented to an industry bar. Pursuant to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (“AWC”), accepted by FINRA on or about January 26, 2018, Mr. Woolf has consented to sanctions stemming…

Real estate investment firm MacKenzie Realty Capital (“MacKenzie”) is offering to purchase shares of The Parking REIT, Inc. (f/k/a MVP REIT II, Inc., hereinafter “The Parking REIT”) for $12.17 per share. The pricing of MacKenzie’s unsolicited tender offer suggests that investors who wish participate in order to generate liquidity will lose money on their investments…

Investors in the LJM Preservation and Growth Fund suffered substantial losses in early February, 2018 as volatility in broad stock market indices spiked. LJM Preservation and Growth Fund (“LJM P&G Fund” or the “Fund”) (LJMAX, LJMCX, LJMIX) is a mutual fund advised by LJM Funds Management, Ltd., (“LJM”). LJM is headquartered in Chicago, IL, and…