Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck reveals disclosures about securities broker Robert Joseph Earls Jr. [CRD: 1369915, Roanoke, Virginia]. Earls was previously registered as both a broker and an investment adviser, most recently working for LPL Financial LLC from June 2011 to February 2024. Recent disclosures detail multiple customer disputes, allegations of misappropriation, and an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
On February 7, 2024, a client alleged that from 2015 through 2024, Earls misappropriated funds. This complaint was settled for $1,300,000. Similarly, on March 12, 2024, another client accused Earls of misappropriating funds, leading to a settlement of $20,000. Additional complaints include a March 22, 2024, dispute in which a client claimed that Earls failed to follow instructions regarding stock sales. This was resolved with a $21,139.08 settlement.
On May 3, 2024, a client alleged that funds were misappropriated between June 2017 and December 2020, following the advisor’s passing. LPL Financial settled this claim for $32,339.00. Another significant case remains pending: a March 18, 2024, claim where a client alleges that from June 2010 through February 2023, she provided funds to Earls for investment, but no accounts existed at LPL. The damages requested total $1,100,000.
Another ongoing dispute was filed on March 8, 2024, in which a customer alleged that they had worked with Earls since October 2021 and experienced an issue with withdrawn funds that were not returned in October 2023. The alleged damages in this case amount to $20,000.
Also, several other disputes remain unresolved. On June 25, 2024, a complaint was filed regarding the purchase of unsuitable mutual funds under Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). Additionally, a May 2, 2024, case involving an investment made in 2014 alleges that the investment did not align with the client’s risk tolerance and objectives. This claim is being reviewed under FINRA arbitration case number 24-00611.
Evidently, one of the more serious allegations concerns a grand jury investigation initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice for the Western District of Virginia. Announced on February 28, 2024, this investigation pertains to claims of misappropriation in clients' accounts.
Looking for more information about Robert Earls? If so, reach out to Soreide Law Group online or call (888) 760-6552 to consult with a securities attorney. Soreide Law Group works on a contingency basis and advances all costs. The firm assists clients throughout the United States with recovering losses from sales practice misconduct. Earls and the firms he worked for deny accusations of sales practice violations.
The private market, once the exclusive playground of institutional investors, has increasingly opened its doors to individual investors seeking a piece of the next unicorn. Funds like the Advanced Technology Select Funds - targeting high-profile private companies such as Flexport, Plaid, and Cybereason - are a prime example of this trend. While the prospect of […]
Soreide Law Group, PLLC At Soreide Law Group, we help investors, shareholders, and publicly traded companies navigate the complex federal rules governing the resale of restricted or control securities. Our attorneys understand that clearing restrictive legends and ensuring compliance with Rule 144 or other resale exemptions can be time-sensitive and critical to protecting shareholder rights. […]
FINRA barred securities broker Emma Marie McAuley [CRD: 7178199, Auburn, Washington], based on disclosures on Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck. Evidently, McAuley worked for Edward Jones from November 4, 2019, to March 19, 2024. Keep reading to learn more about McAuley’s disclosures. FINRA Sanctioned McAuley For Failure To Respond Notably, on January 21, 2025, […]
Phone:
Fax: 1-954-760-6553
Email: info@securitieslawyer.com