Recent Blog Posts
SEC Litigation Update: Puerto Rico Company Settles Securities Fraud Allegations
On February 22nd, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed that the agency has obtained a final judgment in an investment fraud case against Green Mining, LLC and José Jiménez Cruz. In total, the company and Mr. Jiménez will pay more than $3 million. The case is centered around fraud involving unregistered securities…. Read More »
FINRA Arbitration Panel In Florida Awards Claimant Nearly $100,000 In Damages
On February 22nd, 2023, a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel in Tampa, FL awarded a claim of nearly $100,000 in damages (Case Number: 22-01019). The case was centered on allegations of losses caused by unsuitable investment recommendations and other industry violations. Below, our Miami unsuitable investment attorney provides an overview of ruling… Read More »
FINRA Fines, Suspends Securities Broker In Florida For Undisclosed Private Securities Transactions
Hugh Ordway Barndollar III (CRD #3027317) is a registered investment adviser (RIA). As of early February of 2023, he is suspended from the securities industry. From 2013 to 2021, Mr. Barndollar III was a registered representative of Crown Capital Securities in Land O’ Lakes, Florida. Spanning 2020 and 2021, eight customer complaints were filed… Read More »
Florida Broker Barred For Failure To Cooperate With FINRA’s Investigation Into Complaint By Investor
Hans Patrick Kulicke Eveillard (CRD #7190141) is a previously registered securities broker. From September of 2020 to July of 2021, Mr. Eveillard was a representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services in Sarasota, Florida. Recently, he was suspended from the securities industry by FINRA for failure to cooperate with an investigation into an ongoing customer… Read More »
SEC Charges Miami Investment Advisor And Company In Fraud Scheme
On January 18th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed emergency enforcement action, obtaining an asset freeze against Miami financial advisor Jack C. Ridall and investment firm Guss Capital, LLC. The SEC alleges that Mr. Ridall and the firm took in approximately 750,000 from at least four different investors on fraudulent grounds. An… Read More »
SEC Awards More Than $5 Million To Whistleblower
On January 13th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that more than $5 million had been awarded to a whistleblower. The whistleblower came forward and voluntarily provided useful information that aided the SEC in taking enforcement action to stop securities fraud. Notably, a second claimant was denied compensation in the same case…. Read More »
Florida Broker Fined, Suspended For Undisclosed Private Securities Transactions
Clinton F. Byrd (CRD#: 4673625) is a previously registered investment advisor and broker. From August of 2007 to June of 2021, Mr. Byrd was a representative of Cantella & Co. Inc, a brokerage firm in Tallahassee, Florida. In 2021, this broker was discharged from that firm after confidence was lost because of a failure… Read More »
Former SPAC CFO Charged In Connection To Multi-Million Dollar Securities Fraud Scheme
On January 3rd, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially announced securities fraud charges against Cooper J. Morgenthau, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of a company called African Gold Acquisition Corp. The investment entity was organized as a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). In total, the SEC alleges that investors were defrauded… Read More »
SEC Secures Eight Figure Judgment Against Unregistered Penny Stock Dealer In Florida
On December 21st, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published an official litigation release announcing that an eight figure judgment has been obtained against a penny stock dealer in Florida. Justin W. Keener—who did business as JMJ Financial—has been ordered to pay $10.2 million. Below, our Miami penny stock fraud attorneys discuss the… Read More »
SEC Charges Four Individuals With Cryptocurrency Scheme Targeted At Spanish-Speaking Investors, Including In Florida
On December 14th, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged four people as part of a cryptocurrency securities fraud scheme that was allegedly targeted at Spanish-speaking investors, including investors in Florida. The following individuals were named as part of the nearly $10 million investment fraud scheme: Francisley Valdevino Da Silva; Juan Antonio Tacuri… Read More »