In an article, Feb. 7, 2013, in the New York Post, it was reported that (broker-dealer owner), Anastasios “Tommy” Belesis' firm, John Thomas Financial, is being investigated by the FBI, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA). Mr. Belesis has made many media appearances on cable business/financial shows. […]

Those investors who believed they had constructed a “conservative” portfolio by being heavily invested in bonds could be reclassified as “aggressive." Some also believe the move may be an attempt by the firm to lessen its liability in the event clients who are holding large positions in bonds decide to take legal action against UBS. […]

The following information is from FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary and Other FINRA Actions, January, 2013.” Kenneth Andrew Mauchin (CRD #2366345, Registered Principal, Sanford, Florida) was named a respondent in a FINRA complaint alleging that he misappropriated $23,750 from elderly customers’ accounts by converting their funds to cashier’s checks and depositing those checks into a bank […]

The Securities and Exchange Commission, also known as the 'SEC,' has filed 734 enforcement actions the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2012. That is one less than last year’s record of 735. The SEC’s report should remind investors that investment fraud is still a threat to investors. The SEC filed 147 enforcement actions in […]

Soeide Law Group is currently investigating broker, Bambi I. Holzer, CRD #1088028. Ms. Holzer is currently a registered representative with Newport Coast Securities of Beverly Hills, CA. There have allegedly been numerous (over 50) reports filed against her in her 25+ year career, and over $11 million in awards and settlements. Several of these complaints […]

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently announced that it has obtained an emergency court order to freeze the assets of a South Florida man who has been charged with fraudulently offering investments in oil drilling projects in an article posted on the SEC's website. The SEC’s complaint, unsealed in federal court in West Palm […]

The following are statistics compiled by FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, posted recently to their website. The statistics show that investor complaints are down while disciplinary action is at a 5 year high. Investor Complaints Received by FINRA In 2007 there were 4,552 complaints received by FINRA. However, in 2011 there were 2,979 down […]

FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority announced that it has added features to BrokerCheck to help users more easily access broker-dealer and investment adviser information. Many of the changes implemented by FINRA address recommendations made in a January, 2011. study by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reported FINRA in an article on their website. […]

The Securities and Exchange Commission alleged three former brokers at JP Turner & Co. in Atlanta, traded excessively in accounts of seven clients from January, 2008, through December, 2009. Regulators reported that these three brokers churned their client's accounts and received $845,000 in commissions and fees for themselves and the brokerage. Unfortunately, their customers lost […]