Category Archives: Securities Fraud

Florida Broker Suspended for One Year for Professional Misconduct
Without admitting or denying any wrongdoing, Matthew Meehan (CRD#: 4320603) has consented to the sanctions that were brought by FINRA’s Department of Enforcement. According to the complaint (Case reference No. 2016050114901), the Winter Garden-based broker has been suspended for one year and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and $21,813 in financial restitution to… Read More »
New NFLPA Registered Financial Advisor Is The Subject of a FINRA Disciplinary Proceeding
On April 1, 2016, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) Department of Enforcement filed a Complaint against James Goetz, a NFLPA Registered Financial Advisor. The Complaint alleged that while employed by Merrill Lynch, Goetz invested in at least five private companies without making required disclosures or receiving authorization from Merrill Lynch. FINRA also alleges… Read More »

Massachusetts Financial Adviser Forged Documents, Sold Unsuitable Investments
On December 1st, 2016, the Enforcement Section of the Massachusetts Securities Division filed an administrative complaint against former LPL Financial broker Roger S. Zullo. The complaint alleges that Mr. Zullo, a Boston-based financial adviser, forged sensitive financial documents and intentionally pushed his clients into unsuitable investments. Authorities allege that he did this simply to… Read More »

Federal Jury Convicts Financial Executive in Cay Clubs Ponzi Scheme Case
On March 6th, 2017, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that David W. Schwartz, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Cay Clubs Resorts, has been convicted of several serious offenses by a federal jury. Mr. Schwartz now faces up to 93 years in prison. Cay Clubs, which at one point employed… Read More »

Morgan Stanley Hit With Multimillion Dollar Penalty for Overbilling Customers
On January 13th, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it had reached a $13 million settlement with the financial giant Morgan Stanley. The settlement came in relation to charges that Morgan Stanley had been systematically overbilling its clients and that the company failed to comply with key securities regulations. Beyond the… Read More »

Owners of Day Trading Firm Charged with Defrauding Inexperienced Investors
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed investment fraud charges against Naris Chamroonrat and Adam L. Plumer for their role in creating a scheme that defrauded several hundred investors from all over the globe. According to the agency, the two men operated a fake day trading firm and used it to bilk investors… Read More »
FINRA Permanently Bans Two Florida Brokers for Selling Unregistered Securities
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has permanently barred Philip Brisard and Kenley Brisard from having any further association with any FINRA member due to their investment-related misconduct. According to FINRA, both men have consented to the sanctions against them without admitting or denying any culpability. Through their firm, Brisard & Brisard, Inc, the… Read More »
SEC Brings Investment Fraud Charged Against a Miami Beach Firm
In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has brought serious investment fraud charges against Onix Capital LLC and its sole owner and manager Alberto Chang-Rajii. Onix Capital is an asset management company that is based in Miami Beach, Florida. In all, the SEC… Read More »
FINRA Sanctions Merrill Lynch for Inadequate Supervision of Customer Accounts
On November 30th, 2016, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has announced more than $7 million in penalties against Merrill Lynch. The wealth management company was hit with $6.25 million in fines and was ordered to pay another $788,000 in restitution to the affected customers. Merrill Lynch consented to the sanctions, but did not… Read More »
Retired NFL Superstar Patrick Willis Sues Ex-Business Partner for Investment Fraud
In 2015, All-Pro NFL linebacker Patrick Willis surprised many when he cut his NFL career short and headed to Silicon Valley. Willis invested in, and took an executive position with, upstart tech company Open Source Storage. He also relied on the company’s principal, Eren Niazi, to invest in several other projects. Unfortunately, it appears… Read More »