Recent Blog Posts
SEC Filed Partial Settlement in Charges Former Broker-Dealer Representative in Florida Who Stands Accused of Defrauding Senior Citizen Investors
On July 12th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a partial settlement in a senior citizen investment fraud case. A former registered representative of a broker-dealer in Florida—Joseph Michael Todd of Panama City—stands accused of using two separate entities (Todd Financial Services, LLC and TFS Insurance Services LLC) to defraud vulnerable investors…. Read More »
SEC Issues Largest Ever Whistleblower Award—More Than Double the Previous Top Award
In May of 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially announced the largest whistleblower award in the history of the program. At $279 million, the SEC whistleblower award is more than twice as high as the previous record, which was in October of 2020. Here, our Florida securities law whistleblower attorney explains what… Read More »
SEC Charges Penny Stock Dealer in Florida With Failure to Properly Register, Settlement Reached
On June 16th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the settlement of securities violation charges against Bryan Pantofel and a company that he owned and managed called BHP Capital NY, Inc. The SEC contends that the firm improperly acted as an unregistered penny stock dealer in Florida. Here, our Miami securities losses… Read More »
SEC Charges Miami-Based Investment Advisor With Securities Fraud
On June 12th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against a Miami-FL based investment advisor named Hal D. Mintz. The last known address of Mr. Mintz is in Miami Beach. A Texas based company that he owned and controlled (Sabby Management LLC) was also named as a defendant. Within… Read More »
South Florida Financial Advisor Barred For Providing False Information In Connection With FINRA Investigation
Earlier this year, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred broker Kevin Andrew Hobbs (CRD #4267482) from the industry. Mr. Hobbs was a representative of PFS Investments Inc. in Lake Worth, FL from January of 2001 to October of 2022. Mr. Hobbs faced two customer complaints for unsuitable investment recommendations over the last two… Read More »
Florida Broker Barred For Failure To Cooperate With FINRA Investigation Into Alleged Improper Loan From Clients
Eric James Stone (CRD #5227654) is a previously registered investment adviser (RIA) and previously registered securities broker. From February of 2008 through June of 2021, Mr. Stone was a representative of Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC in Jacksonville, FL. In 2021, he was separated from his employment at the firm after allegations that he took… Read More »
SEC Charges Florida Man As Part Of $60 Million Investment Fraud Case
On May 23rd, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially announced the shutdown of a company called “WeedGenics”—a $60 million cannabis-related securities offering. Securities fraud charges have been filed against the company—and its owners Rolf Max Hirschmann and Patrick Earl Williams—for allegations of a “Ponzi-like” investment fraud scheme. In this post, our Miami… Read More »
SEC Gets Final Judgment Against Head Trader In “Fake Trade” Scheme In Florida
On May 12th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) officially confirmed that the agency has obtained a final judgment in its case against Joshua David Nicholas, et al. Mr. Nicholas was the head at a Florida-based hedge fund called EmpiresX, which defrauded investors through “fake trades.” Here, our Miami investor losses attorney provides… Read More »
SEC Charges Florida Residents As Part Of Nearly $6 Million Ponzi Scheme
On May 4th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges in a nearly $6 million Ponzi scheme case. The federal agency alleges that Cedric Dewayne Griffin defrauded more than 100 investors out of at least $5.9 million. Notably, regulators contend that Mr. Griffin’s scheme—which used real estate as a hook—was targeted at… Read More »
FINRA Arbitration Panel In Florida Awards More Than $6 Million To Claimants
On May 4th, 2023, a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel rendered a decision awarding more than $6 million to a collection of investors (Case Number: 21-03115). The respondent in the claim—the Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.—faced allegations of breach of fiduciary duty. In this article, our Miami breach of fiduciary duty attorney discusses… Read More »
