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 potentially experienced sales practice violations due to securities broker Richard Dennis Laspaluto (also known as Rick Laspaluto) [CRD: 2541603, Las Vegas, Nevada], according to publicly available information on FINRA BrokerCheck. It appears that Richard Laspaluto joined Centaurus Financial Inc. on August 29, 2005, working as both a securities broker and financial advisor. Read the following sections to know more about the investor disputes involving Laspaluto.
Specifically, a Centaurus Financial Inc. client filed FINRA Arbitration No. 24-00818 about Richard Laspaluto. Notably, the client alleged that Laspaluto made unsuitable recommendations, mismanaged the account, and breached his fiduciary duty. As a result, the client allegedly experienced damages relating to variable annuities and real estate securities (REITs). Consequently, on May 28, 2025, Centaurus Financial Inc. settled this matter by paying the client $28,500.00 in damages.
Also, a client of Centaurus Financial Inc. disputed Richard Laspaluto’s sales practices by filing FINRA Arbitration No. 11-01100. Allegedly, Laspaluto made unsuitable recommendations, breached his fiduciary duty, breached a contract, violated FINRA rules, and violated state and federal securities laws. It appears that Laspaluto caused the client to sustain damages connected to real estate securities. So, Centaurus Financial Inc. opted to settle the matter on November 18, 2011, by compensating the client in the amount of $90,818.92.
Do you have concerns or questions regarding investments involving Richard Laspaluto? If so, touch base with Soreide Law Group online or at (888) 760-6552 and consult with a securities lawyer. Soreide Law Group has recovered losses for investors throughout the United States. Also, the firm takes investor cases on a contingency fee basis and advances the costs. Laspaluto and brokerage firms Laspaluto 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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