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 apparently complained about securities broker John Kacheong Lee [CRD: 2948622, Pleasanton, California], based on public information on Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck. It appears that Lee has been registered with Independent Financial Group LLC since October 28, 2005, as a broker and since October 31, 2005, as an investment adviser. Read below to find out more about Lee’s disclosures.
Specifically, on September 22, 2025, an Independent Financial Group LLC client filed FINRA Arbitration No. 25-01962 about John Lee. Mainly, the client alleged that Lee made unsuitable investments, made misrepresentations, was negligent, and breached his fiduciary duty in connection with non-traded real estate investment trusts. Because of this, the client allegedly experienced damages relating to ARC Hospitality Trust. As a result, the client requested damages believed to be $5,000 or more in compensation from Independent Financial Group LLC or Lee. It appears that this arbitration is awaiting a resolution.
Also, a client of Independent Financial Group LLC contested John Lee’s sales practices by filing FINRA Arbitration No. 14-02674. Allegedly, Lee made unsuitable investments, was negligent, breached his fiduciary duty, and breached a contract. It appears that Lee allegedly caused the client to sustain damages connected to direct investments and tenant in common products. Consequently, Independent Financial Group LLC opted to settle the matter on November 10, 2015, by compensating the client in the amount of $562,500.
Notably, a client filed a complaint about John Lee. Primarily, the client alleged that Lee made unsuitable recommendations, made misrepresentations, was negligent, and breached his fiduciary duty. For this reason, the client allegedly incurred damages associated with direct investments. Therefore, on July 31, 2013, Independent Financial Group LLC settled this matter by paying the client $70,500 in damages.
Evidently, a client of Independent Financial Group LLC contested John Lee’s sales practices, according to a complaint. Allegedly, Lee made misrepresentations, made omissions, made unsuitable recommendations, and breached his fiduciary duty. It appears that Lee allegedly caused the investor to sustain damages linked to direct investments. As a result, Independent Financial Group LLC opted to settle the matter on December 31, 2012, by compensating the client in the amount of $70,000.
Did you experience losses because of John Lee? Contact Soreide Law Group at (888) 760-6552 or online and consult with a securities lawyer concerning a possible recovery of your investment losses. Soreide Law Group has recovered losses for investors throughout the country. Also, the firm takes cases on a contingency fee arrangement and advances all costs. Lee and brokerage firms Lee worked for deny allegations 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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