In a February 17th., 2012, article for InvestmentNews.com, Bruce Kelly writes that a broker formally affiliated with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Berthel Fisher & Co. Financial Services Inc. and LPL Financial LLC was arrested in Oregon this month for allegedly stealing $584,000 from three investors. The now ex-broker, James Scott McKee, was charged Feb. 9 […]

The following information was obtained on FINRA’s website’s ‘Disciplinary Actions, January 2012.”   Tyge Thomas Tuccillo (CRD #3075541, Registered Representative, Venice, Florida)   submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Tuccillo consented to the […]

The following appeared on FINRA's website's 'Disciplinary Actions, November, 2011: Tom Douglas Hamsher (CRD #1708793, Registered Supervisor, Webb City, Missouri) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Hamsher consented to the described sanction and […]

The following information was obtained on FINRA’s website’s ‘Disciplinary Actions, January 2012.”   Joseph James Sciarra Jr. (CRD #1576322, Registered Principal, Wellington, Florida)   was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity and ordered to pay $393,935, plus interest, in restitution to a customer’s estate. The sanctions were based on findings that […]

The following information was obtained on FINRA’s website’s ‘Disciplinary Actions, January 2012.”   Jan D. Narrine (CRD #5738183, Associated Person, Winter Garden, Florida)   submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity.   Without admitting or denying the findings, Narrine consented […]

In an article for InvestmentNews.com, on February 1st, 2012, Mark Schoeff Jr. writes that in a market defined by low interest rates, investors are searching for higher returns. But brokers better be careful how they try to deliver those results, according to their primary regulator. In a 16 page letter posted on its website, the Financial Industry […]

In a January 19th., 2012, article for InvestmentNews.com, Jeff Benjamin writes that when pressed, it seems financial intermediaries will tend to overstate their qualifications and services, according to Cerulli Associates Inc. “Most advisers don't want to say that they don't offer some kind of service, so they are more likely to overstate their capabilities,” said Scott […]

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)  filed a civil injunctive action charging Monticello, New York investment adviser, Lloyd V. Barriger, registered with Barriger & Barriger Incorporated, with fraud in connection with two upstate New York real estate funds he managed – the Gaffken & Barriger Fund, LLC (the G&B Fund or the Fund), and Campus […]

Evan Taber (CRD #1892751, Registered Representative, Plantation, Florida)   was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity.   This sanction was based on findings that Taber intentionally converted or misappropriated customer funds. These findings stated that Taber discussed with a customer an investment that would yield a 15 percent rate of return […]