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.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides important information in regard to securities broker Donna Jean Hines aka Donna Jean Atchison (CRD#: 4275524, Clarksburg, West Virginia). Evidently, Hines has worked as a securities broker for Cetera Advisors from 2013 to 2021, and previously worked as a securities broker for Investment Planners. Let’s take a closer look at FINRA’s disciplinary action against her and the allegations of misrepresentation and breach of fiduciary duty as reported in investor disputes on BrokerCheck. But keep in mind that the broker denies alleged sales practice violations.
Evidently, FINRA barred Donna Hines as a securities broker in November 2021. Because of this, Hines cannot be a securities broker with any FINRA-member firms – the duration is indefinite. The regulator issued this sanction to resolve its allegations of Hines’s failure to cooperate under FINRA rules. Supposedly, FINRA asked Hines for information in an investigation into her supposed facilitation of a bitcoin investment. It appears that Hines did not testify in full, which was a requirement.
Notably, a client of Cetera Advisors took aim at Donna Hines concerning a bitcoin transaction. The arbitration action alleges misrepresentation, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty. Supposedly, the client experienced losses by investing in bitcoin through Hines’s arrangement. For this reason, Cetera Advisors opted to settle with the client in February 2022 by paying the client $67,500.
Also, a client of Investment Planners and Cetera Advisors took issue with Donna Hines’s sales practices, according to a dispute in June 2018. Notably, the claim contains allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, unsuitable investments, and misrepresentation. Supposedly, the client experienced damages by investing between 2005 and 2018. Because of this, in July 2019, the firm opted to settle this matter with the client by paying them $137,500. However, the firm denies allegations of sales practice violations.
Moreover, Donna Hines allegedly sold alternative investments to an Investment Planners client, resulting in damages. BrokerCheck shows that the client complained in December 2015, alleging negligence, misrepresentation, and omissions. Supposedly, the client invested in non-traded REITs, equipment leasing investments, and oil/gas investments. For this reason, Investment Planners compensated the client in the amount of $100,000 to resolve this matter in 2016.
Securities broker Donna Hines denies all the allegations. Have you experienced investment losses by interacting with this broker? If so, reach out to Soreide Law Group at (888) 760-6552 to discuss your situation with experienced counsel. Soreide Law Group represents investor clients on a contingency fee basis and advances all costs. The law firm has recovered compensation for many US clients who have experienced damages from securities brokers and financial advisors.
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.
Phone:
Fax: 1-954-760-6553
Email: [email protected]