Category Archives: Securities Fraud
SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Two Defendants in Florida Pump-and-Dump Securities Fraud Scheme
On June 20th, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it secured a final judgment against two defendants in a securities fraud case in South Florida. Civil charges were brought against Benjamin Ballout and Mohamed Zayed for their role in a pump-and-dump scheme. Here, our Miami, FL securities fraud attorney discusses the… Read More »
SEC Files Securities Fraud Charges in South Florida; Alleges Misappropriation of Over $17 Million
On May 27th, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against Andrew H. Jacobus and two companies (Kronus Financial Corporation and Finser International Corporation). The federal regulator alleges that Mr. Jacobus misappropriated more than $17 million from investors through these two companies. Here, our Miami securities fraud attorney provides an… Read More »
SEC Announces Charges Against Florida Residents in $100 Million Securities Fraud Case
On May 20th, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against a New York City-based company called Unicoin, Inc. and three of its two executives. Alex Konanykhin, Silvina Moschini, and Alex Dominguez were all named in the complaint. All three are residents of South Florida. Here, our Miami securities fraud… Read More »
Miami Brokerage Firm Fined for Misleading Promises to Prospective Investors
Avenue Securities LLC (CRD #292589) is a brokerage firm headquartered in Miami that is licensed to operate in 30 states and territories. In January of 2025, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined and censured the broker-dealer for failure to develop a proper supervisory system. Specifically, FINRA determined that the firm made misleading promises… Read More »
Florida Financial Advisor Fined and Suspended for Forging Signatures
Paul Edwards (CRD#: 5967107) is a previously registered broker and investment advisor. From August of 2012 to June of 2023, Mr. Edwards was a representative of NY Life Securities in Palm Bay, Florida. After an investigation, FINRA determined that he violated Rule 4511. Recently, Mr. Edwards was fined and suspended for forging customer signatures… Read More »
Miami Broker-Dealer Sanctioned By FINRA for Failure to Supervise Broker
Insigneo Securities, LLC (CRD #29249) is a brokerage firm that is licensed to operate in 52 U.S. states and American territories. It has a main headquarters in Miami, Florida. On December 18th, 2024, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced a censure and an $85,000 fine against the firm for failure to properly supervise… Read More »
SEC Brought a Record Number of Enforcement Actions in the First Quarter of FY 2025
On January 17th, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that a record number of enforcement actions were brought by the agency in the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025. For reference, that period ran from October 31st of 2024 through December 31st of 2024. Here, our Miami securities fraud attorney discusses the… Read More »
Vinco Ventures Chief Executive Faces Securities Fraud Charges in South Florida
Roderick “Rod” Vanderbilt is a former chief executive officer (CEO) for a company called Vinco Ventures. In July of 2023, that company was officially delisted by Nasdaq. Mr. Vanderbilt is now facing felony conspiracy to commit securities fraud charges in a federal court in South Florida. Here, our Miami securities fraud attorney discusses the… Read More »
South Florida Broker Fined, Suspended for FINRA Violations
Christian Eduardo De Berardinis (CRD #4312327) is a registered investment adviser (RIA) and previously registered securities broker. Mr. De Berardinis is a resident of Palm Beach County. From July of 2015 to July of 2023, he was a representative of Morgan Stanley. Mr. De Berardinis voluntarily resigned from the firm in 2023 after allegations… Read More »
FINRA Expels North Miami Securities Firm
On August 26th, 2024, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced the expulsion of a Miami-based securities company called Bananafina LLC from the securities industry (FINRA Case #2023077678601). FINRA determined that the firm failed to substantially cooperate with an investigation into its practices in violation of securities industry rules. Here, our Miami securities fraud… Read More »