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.
STEPHEN ROBERT MAROTTO (STEPHEN R MAROTTO, STEPHEN MAROTTO, STEVE MAROTTO) is currently registered with MORGAN STANLEY in San Francisco, California. Marotto has been registered both as a broker and as an investment advisor with MORGAN STANLEY since 4/28/2023. He was previously registered with FIRST REPUBLIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC of San Francisco, California, as an investment advisor from 02/13/2014 - 05/19/2023 and as a broker with FIRST REPUBLIC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. of San Francisco, California, from 02/13/2014 - 05/19/2023.
According to FINRA’s BrokerCheck, available to the public on FINRA’s website, STEPHEN R MAROTTO, has 12 years of experience in the securities industry and has been listed with 3 firms. Marotto has 3 disclosures on his FINRA CRD report, all 3 are “Customer Disputes,” 1 dispute was denied and 2 are pending.
There is a pending “Customer Dispute” filed against STEPHEN R MAROTTO dated 12/12/2024. The allegations are, “CUSTOMERS ALLEGES MISREPRESENTATION, UNAUTHORIZED TRADING AND SUITABILITY. ACTIVITY DATES 1-1-2019 - 6-9-2023.” The damage amount requested is $550,049.00.
According to the FINRA CRD report, there is another “Customer Dispute” filed against STEPHEN R MAROTTO dated 2/26/2025. The allegations are, “CUSTOMERS ALLEGE MISREPRESENTATION AND UNSUITABLE INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATION. ACTIVITY DATES AUGUST 2021-MAY 2024.” The damage amount requested is $200,000.00.
According to FINRA, the Rule 2111 requires, in part, that a broker/dealer, financial advisor or associated person "have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommended transaction or investment strategy involving a security or securities is suitable for the customer, based on the information obtained through the reasonable diligence of the [firm] or associated person to ascertain the customer's investment profile." A customer's investment profile would include the customer's age, other investments, financial situation and needs, tax status, investment objectives, investment experience, investment time horizon, liquidity needs and risk tolerance. The rule also covers recommended investment strategies involving securities, including recommendations to "hold" securities. FINRA states that the rule identifies the three main suitability obligations: reasonable-basis, customer-specific, and quantitative suitability.
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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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