Timothy Michael McGinn (CRD #813935, Registered Principal, Schenectady, New York) and David Lee Smith (CRD #427284, Registered Principal, Saratoga Springs, New York) were barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. The sanctions were based on findings that Smith misused investor funds when he sold approximately $89 million in income notes issued by […]

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced that it has fined Wells Investment Securities, Inc. $300,000 for using misleading marketing materials in the sale of Wells Timberland REIT, Inc., a non-traded Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).   It was noted that Wells was the dealer-manager and wholesaler for the public offering of Wells Timberland REIT, which […]

In a November 23, 2011, article in FA Magazine, Karen DeMasters writes that LPL Financial has been fined $100,000 for failing to properly oversee one of its brokers in Oregon who sold risky investments to people, many of them elderly and without the mental capacity to make investment decisions. It was reported that the Oregon […]

An article appeared in the About.com Guide, written by Julie Garber regarding a Miami broker and elder abuse.  She wrote that recently a Miami news station reported on the elder abuse case of Josephine Troisi, age 93, and her sister, Mary Teris, age 95. A few years ago the sisters, who live together in Hollywood, Florida, hired […]

Soreide Law Group, PLLC is currently investigating potential claims related to the Foresee Strategies Insurance Funds 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7), which were offered via an annuity issued by Sun Life Financial and sold to investors by SagePoint Financial, Inc. and other securities brokerage firms. Foresee Strategies Insurance Funds were part of the SALI Multi-Series Funds 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7), […]

In a November 16th., 2011, Sun-Sentinnel article, Donna Gehrke-White writes that a Ft. Lauderdale brokerage was fined $20,000, a Plantation broker was suspended for two years and a Coral Springs man was barred from working with any brokerage, according to November's report on disciplinary action taken by FINRA, the private regulatory agency that oversee securities companies. Newbridge […]

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (CRD #705, St. Petersburg, Florida)   submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which the firm was censured, fined $12,500 and ordered to pay $1,849.33, plus interest, in restitution to investors.   Also, without admitting or denying the findings, the firm consented to the described sanctions and to […]

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (CRD #705, St. Petersburg, Florida) submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which the firm was censured and fined $15,000. Without admitting or denying the findings, the firm consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of findings that it failed to transmit ROEs ( Return On Equity […]

On the SEC's website we learn that the Securities and Exchange Commission announced the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts has charged Andrey C. Hicks of Boston, Mass., in a criminal complaint unsealed on Friday, October 28, 2011. Hicks was charged with committing wire fraud, attempting to commit wire fraud, and aiding and abetting wire fraud, […]