Ernesto Chavez (CRD: 4315877) faces a new pending claim on BrokerCheck over an investment made in 2018. The customer alleges $180,000 in damages, and no arbitrator has ruled on the claim.
Investors have reportedly disputed the sales practices of securities broker Dennis Bruce Lerner (also known as Denny Lerner) [CRD: 1007397, Big Rapids, Michigan], based on disclosures on Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck. Lerner worked for Cambridge Investment Research Inc. from April 26, 2011, to December 3, 2021. Read on to learn more about Lerner’s disclosures.
Particularly, on October 21, 2025, a Cambridge Investment Research Inc. client filed FINRA Arbitration No. 25-00359 about Dennis Lerner. Mainly, the client alleged that Lerner made unsuitable recommendations by recommending oil and gas investments for the purpose of generating high commissions and fees, and that the client was deprived of the opportunity to earn reasonable returns that could have been received in a diversified portfolio. For this reason, the client allegedly sustained damages linked to those oil and gas investments. Consequently, the client requested compensation from Cambridge Investment Research Inc. or Lerner. This arbitration awaits a resolution.
Additionally, a client of Cambridge Investment Research Inc. disputed Dennis Lerner’s sales practices by filing FINRA Arbitration No. 22-00974. Allegedly, Lerner gave unsuitable advice by recommending direct investments and oil and gas investments for high commissions and fees, which the claimants alleged deprived them of reasonable returns that could have been achieved in a diversified portfolio. It appears that Lerner allegedly caused the client to sustain damages associated with those alternative investments. As a result, Cambridge Investment Research Inc. opted to settle the matter on May 18, 2023, by compensating the client in the amount of $295,000.
Specifically, on January 15, 2008, an MML Investors Services Inc. client filed a complaint about Dennis Lerner. Primarily, the client alleged that Lerner neglected proper asset allocation in the account and engaged in unsuitable trading. Because of this, the client allegedly incurred damages related to real estate investment trusts, stocks, and mutual funds. Therefore, the client requested $47,000 in compensation from MML Investors Services Inc. or Lerner. However, the firm denied this complaint.
Are you concerned about investments you made through Dennis Lerner? Reach out to Soreide Law Group online or at (888) 760-6552 and talk with a securities lawyer concerning a possible recovery of your investment losses. Soreide Law Group has recovered losses for investors throughout the country. Also, our securities lawyers work on a contingency fee basis and advance all costs. Lerner and brokerage firms Lerner worked for deny accusations of sales practice violations.
Ernesto Chavez (CRD: 4315877) faces a new pending claim on BrokerCheck over an investment made in 2018. The customer alleges $180,000 in damages, and no arbitrator has ruled on the claim.
William Tunink (CRD: 2738224) settled a customer claim for $299,000 on August 11, 2026, according to his BrokerCheck report. The customer alleged that he obtained loans from the customer, and that some of the money went into an investment.
Tony Barouti (CRD: 3031995) faces a pending $230,400 customer claim, according to his BrokerCheck report. He says the allegations in it are false. His report also lists SEC administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings from August 2025.
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