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.
DONALD LEE WELLS (DON WELLS) is currently registered as a broker with REALTA EQUITIES, INC., of Wilmington, Delaware, since 7/6/2023 and as a financial advisor with REALTA INVESTMENT ADVISORS of Seattle, Washington since 6/30/2023. Don Wells was previously registered with TITAN SECURITIES of Seattle, Washington.
According to FINRA’s BrokerCheck, available to the public on FINRA’s website, DONALD LEE WELLS has been in the securities industry for 38 years and has been listed with 9 firms. He has 4 disclosures on his FINRA CRD report. Of the four disclosures, 3 are “Customer Disputes,” of which 1 was denied, 1 was settled, and 1 is pending. There is also a “Regulatory” on his report dated 3/7/2016 which Don Wells was sanctioned and fined. According to the FINRA report, the Washington Securities Division filed a cease-and-desist order against a number of individuals and entities, which also included DONALD LEE WELLS. According to BrokerCheck, the sanction alleged that in part the “Respondents violated the Securities Act of Washington through the offer and sale of approximately $17 million of Life Partners, Inc. life settlements to Washington residents from 2009 to 2014.” The report alleges, that Wells and several others were, “selling LPI life settlements while unregistered as a securities salesperson or broker-dealer in Washington.” Wells consented to the cease-and-desist order and the $2,500 in fines and costs. DONALD LEE WELLS added a Broker Comment stating, “This was in regards to a life settlement product that several clients invested in primarily between 2009 and 2011. As of 2018, not one of these clients have complained about this investment or lost money.”
The “Customer Dispute” that settled on 3/7/2022 for $90,000 against DONALD LEE WELLS alleged, “PER STATEMENT OF CLAIM - REPRESENTATIVE RECOMMENDED UNSUITABLE INVESTMENTS.” There is also a pending dispute requesting $170,000.00 in damages, dated 10/31/2024 and is alleging, “Claimant alleges unsuitable investments.”
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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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