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 come forward with complaints about securities broker James Bernis Lunsford (also known as Jim Lunsford) [CRD: 2222307, Sonoma, California]. Evidently, the securities broker, who worked for Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation, disclosed client disputes via Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck. Notably, Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation clients allege breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation, among other things. For more on these disclosures about Lunsford, see below.
Evidently, a Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation client filed FINRA Arbitration: 20-00243 about James Lunsford. Namely, the client alleged that Lunsford breached fiduciary duties, acted unethically, made misrepresentations and omissions of material fact, and failed to supervise certain registered representatives. Because of this, the client allegedly sustained damages on DPPs or LPs. Therefore, on March 29, 2021, Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation settled this matter by paying the client $160,000 in damages.
Also, a Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation client filed FINRA Arbitration: 16-03515 about James Lunsford. Namely, the client alleged that Lunsford was negligent, made unsuitable recommendations, made misrepresentations and omissions of material fact, acted unethically, violated state securities laws, breached fiduciary duties, failed to supervise certain registered representatives, violated FINRA rules, breached a contract, and converted funds. Because of this, the client allegedly sustained damages on DPPs or LPs. Therefore, on May 9, 2017, Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation settled this matter by paying the client $97,125 in damages.
Evidently, a client of Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation contested James Lunsford’s sales practices by filing FINRA Arbitration: 17-00606. Allegedly, Lunsford breached fiduciary duties, acted unethically, was negligent, made misrepresentations and omissions of material fact, breached a contract, and failed to supervise certain registered representatives. It appears that the private placement transactions resulted in damages. Therefore, FINRA Arbitrators issued an Award dated December 10, 2018, compelling Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation to compensate the client in the amount of $177,550.
Additionally, a Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation client filed FINRA Arbitration: 18-00513 about James Lunsford. Namely, the client alleged that Lunsford acted unethically, breached fiduciary duties, failed to supervise certain registered representatives, and was negligent. Because of this, the client allegedly sustained damages on DPPs or LPs. Therefore, on January 22, 2019, Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation settled this matter by paying the client $200,000 in damages.
Evidently, a client of Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation contested James Lunsford’s sales practices by filing FINRA Arbitration: 18-02081. Allegedly, Lunsford breached fiduciary duties, acted unethically, made misrepresentations of material fact, was negligent, made omissions of material fact, and breached a contract. It appears that the direct investment (DPPs and LPs) transactions resulted in damages. Therefore, Mid Atlantic Capital Corporation opted to settle the matter on August 23, 2019, by compensating the client in the amount of $160,000.
Did you sustain damages by investing with James Lunsford? If so, get in touch with Soreide Law Group at (888) 760-6552 and talk with a securities lawyer regarding a possible recovery of your investment losses or other damages. Soreide Law Group, who has successfully recovered money for hundreds of investors in all 50 states, represents clients on a contingency fee basis and advances costs. Lunsford and brokerage firms Lunsford 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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