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.

Soreide Law Group has been filing claims on behalf of investors in the now defunct Hard Rock Exploration, Inc.
Soreide Law Group has successfully sued brokerage firms for selling this now defunct oil and gas investment, and also Hard Rock Partners 2011-A L.P. drilling programs, and other Hard Rock sponsored offerings.
Hard Rock Exploration’s lender, Huntington National Bank, filed a motion to convert the company’s Chapter 11 proceeding to Chapter 7, arguing that the estate is administratively insolvent. The lender called it, a “hemorrhaging of cash” from the company and a rehabilitation of their business impossible.
According to Bloomberg, Hard Rock Exploration, Inc. provides oil and gas exploration and production services in Virginia and West Virginia. It focuses on drilling horizontal wells. The company was founded in 2003, and is based in Charleston, West Virginia. On September 5, 2017, Hard Rock Exploration, Inc. along with its affiliates filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Soreide Law Group finds these kinds of private placements, or alternative investments, to be extremely high-risk for the low to moderate risk investor. Many investors do not understand the risk involved with these products and suffer devastating losses. They are sold as unregistered securities and are not regulated. Brokers must understand the objective for each of their clients before selling such a high-risk product. If your broker/dealer sold you high-risk oil and gas private placements related to Hard Rock Exploration, Inc. or other offerings sponsored by Hard Rock, such as Hard Rock Partners 2011-A L.P., contact Soreide Law Group and speak to a lawyer experienced in the recovery of oil and gas stock losses through a FINRA arbitration at: 888-760-6552.
Soreide Law Group represents clients nationwide before FINRA. We operate on a contingency fee basis, no fee to you if no recovery. Let our years of experience work fo you.
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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