Category Archives: Securities Fraud
Florida Broker Suspended for Two Years for Material Misrepresentations
FINRA recently announced the suspension of registered securities representative Landon L. Williams (CRD#: 1751467). Most recently, this broker worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, out of an office located in Jacksonville, Florida. According to FINRA investigators, Mr. Williams: Made material misrepresentations to his clients; Omitted material facts in conversations with investors; and… Read More »
Barred Florida Broker Was Selling Loans for Woodbridge Wealth
Barry Michael Kornfield (CRD#: 1490377), a registered broker who was most recently employed by Brookstreet Securities Corporation at an office in Coral Springs, Florida, was permanently barred from the securities industry in 2010. This FINRA enforcement action came after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Mr. Kornfield, and nine other brokers, with fraud… Read More »
Florida Broker Fined, Suspended for Unreported Private Securities Transactions
Recently, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced that it was issuing a $10,000 fine and a three-month suspension against registered securities broker Gabriel William Hynes (CRD #3152541). Mr. Hynes was most recently employed at NYLIFE Securities LLC, and he worked out of a branch that was located in St. Augustine, Florida. According to… Read More »
Miami Broker Who Falsified Account Statements Barred From the Securities Industry
Recently, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) reported that registered broker Lorenzo C. Esteva (CRD#: 2170595) has been permanently barred from the securities industry. Mr. Esteva was most recently employed at the Miami office of Merrill Lynch (1991-2015) and the Miami office of UBS Financial Services (2015-2017). In the past two years, at least… Read More »
Miami Brokerage Firm Censured and Fined for Selling Bonds at Unfair Prices
FINRA’s Department of Market Regulation has fined a Miami, Florida-based broker-dealer $65,000 for improperly reporting transactions and selling corporate bond securities at an unfair price to investors. Global Strategic Investments, LLC (CRD#: 117028), a brokerage firm licensed to operate in Florida and five other U.S. states was accused of failing to report the proper… Read More »
South Florida Financial Advisor Pushed Clients Into Unsuitable Investments
Christopher Robert Hickman (CRD No. 3267599), a general securities broker from Delray Beach, Florida, has been suspended from the industry for five months, fined $5,000 and ordered to pay more than $115,000 in financial restitution to six different investors. Without admitting to or denying any wrongdoing, Mr. Hickman, who is employed at Cetera Investments… Read More »
Brokerage Allegedly Defrauded Investors, Misrepresented Relationship with City of Jacksonville
On August 4th, 2017, FINRA’s Department of Enforcement filed a complaint against CSSC Brokerage Services, Inc. (CSSC) and its principal and CEO Eric S. Smith. Within the document, the Department of Enforcement alleges that Mr. Smith and CSSC defrauded investors by materially misrepresenting the company’s financial condition in a bridge loan securities offering that… Read More »
Florida Broker-Dealer Censured, Fined $100,000 for Penny Stock-Related Misconduct
On July 11th, 2017, FINRA’s Department of Enforcement announced that it reached a settlement with Spartan Securities Group, LTD (CRD No. 104478), a registered brokerage firm, based in Clearwater, Florida. Without admitting to or denying any misconduct, Spartan Securities accepted penalties that include a: Public censure; and $100,000 fine. These penalties were brought against… Read More »
SEC Awards $4.5 Million to Two Securities Industry Whistleblowers
Earlier this year, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced two major awards to securities industry whistleblowers. First, a whistleblower who had information of serious securities industry misconduct was awarded $4 million, for offering a detailed and specific tip that led to major enforcement action. Then, soon after, a company insider was awarded more… Read More »
Fort Lauderdale Broker Permanently Barred for Unsuitable Investment Recommendations, Unauthorized Trading
Recently, FINRA’s Department of Enforcement permanently barred Florida broker Scott Allen Sibley (CRD#: 1523981) from the securities industry. Mr. Sibley was accused of recommending unsuitable investments to at least 10 different clients and engaging in unauthorized trading on another client’s brokerage account. Without admitting or denying any of the allegations, Mr. Sibley consented to… Read More »
