In an article for InvestmentNews.com, November 9th., 2011, Mark Schoeff Jr. writes that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) engaged in an unprecedented crackdown on investment advisers over the last year, contributing to an overall surge in agency enforcement. The SEC announced that it filed 146 enforcement actions against investment advisers and investment companies during the […]

The following are excerpts from Richard G. Ketchum, Chairman and CEO of FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Research Center on the Prevention of Financial Fraud in Washington, DC, Thursday, November 3, 2011. "We bring together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, law enforcement and others to discuss how we can better share […]

The following appeared on FINRA's website in 'Disciplinary Actions, October, 2011.' TD Ameritrade, Inc. (CRD #7870, Bellevue, Nebraska)  submitted a Letter of AcceptanceWaiver and Consent in which the firm was censured and fined $100,000 by FINRA. Without admitting or denying the findings, the firm consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of findings […]

The FBI is investigating two former Edward Jones brokers based in South Dakota for their role in a “selling-away” case that involved raising money from clients who invested in an alleged Ponzi scheme writes Bruce Kelly in a September 28, 2011, article in InvestmentNews.com. Kelly writes that according to Jones, a client brought the matter […]

The following press release was from the State of Colorado regarding a settlement with E*Trade over the firm's auction rate securities issues. Colorado Securities Commissioner Announces Settlement of its Auction Rate Securities Enforcement Action against E*TRADE The Colorado Securities Commissioner Fred Joseph announced today that a settlement in principle has been reached between E*TRADE Securities, […]

If you invested in IMH Secured Loan Fund, LLC, then you may have the right to recover money from the brokerage firm responsible for supervising your sales agent/broker.  You must act quickly due to the statutes of limitation. Soreide Law Group, PLLC, wants you to know that you may be able to recover losses that you have […]

In an article from the New York Times, October 18th., 2011, John Wasik writes that if you’re concerned about whether an adviser’s parent firm is going to survive a crisis or if you’re not happy with your portfolio, there are some important questions to ask before you make a change to a new wealth manager. […]

Jeffrey Scott Donner (CRD #2631248, Registered Principal, Weston, Florida)   was named as a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that he executed transactions in the accounts of customers at his member firm without their prior knowledge, authorization or consent.   This complaint alleges that Donner exercised discretion in a customer’s account and effected securities transactions […]

Carlos Francisco Otalvaro (CRD #2294420, Registered Principal, Coral Gables, Florida)   was fined $15,000, suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for one year, and barred from association with any FINRA member in any principal capacity. This fine shall be due and payable upon Otalvaro’s return to the securities industry.   These […]