FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. has filed a complaint against Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott, the owner, chief executive and head of compliance for Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. This firm, which is the broker-dealer arm of Commonwealth Capital Corp., employs about 22 registered reps and conducts business in private placements and direct investments. According to the […]

The following information appeared on FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, May, 2013.” Ronald Wayne Lankford (CRD #1751588, Registered Principal, Tampa, Florida) was suspended from association with any FINRA member firm in any principal capacity other than as a FINOP (Series 27) and Introducing Broker-Dealer/FINOP (Series 28) for 18 months; suspended from association […]

Soreide Law Group, a Securities Arbitration Law Firm, (888) 760-6552, obtained the following information on FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, May, 2013.” Michael Peter Borci (CRD #5436457, Registered Representative, Apollo Beach, Florida) was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Michael Borci consented […]

The following information appeared on FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, May, 2013.” vFinance Investments, Inc. (CRD #44962, Boca Raton, Florida) consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of findings that it acted as the private placement agent for a placement of up to $5 million in convertible notes a company […]

The Soreide Law Group, PLLC, is a Securities Arbitration Law Firm, (888) 760-6552, and obtained the following information on FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, May, 2013.” Raphael Huaman (CRD #5868404, Registered Representative, Miami, Florida) was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Huaman […]

Soreide Law Group, PLLC, a Securities Arbitration Law Firm, (888) 760-6552, obtained the following information on FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, May, 2013.” Andrew Lewis Pittman (CRD #732632, Registered Representative, Deerfield Beach, Florida) was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Pittman consented […]

Lars Soreide, Esq, of Soreide Law Group, PLLC, had a recent FINRA Arbitration award published in the latest edition, May, 2013, of the PIABA Bar Journal. Only the most significant cases are chosen for publication in PIABA. Mr. Soreide was the Claimant's counsel and the Respondent was Wachovia Securities, dba Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, and […]

In a May 7th., 2013 article from FINRA's website, it was reported that according to the FBI's latest Financial Crimes Report to the Public, investment fraud has increased by 52 percent since 2008. Unfortunately, investment fraud is largely underreported, and often targeted are retired citizens and seniors. 77 million baby boomers will be retiring over […]

In a May 9th., 2013 article from Reuters, Suzanne Barlyn writes about the three men, who made a living in the U.S. securities industry, and how it's not easy to successfully reverse disciplinary sanctions from FINRA. Penalties are likely to stick, and the consequences can drag out for years. According to the Financial Industry Regulatory […]