It was recently reported that Michael Todd Crosswhite, 42, of Forest, Virginia,  a financial adviser, admitted that he stole more than $1 million from his clients. They stated that Michael Todd Crosswhite pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg. The prosecutors in this case said that Crosswhite […]

Thomas Edward Kelly (CRD #1386403, Registered Principal, Johnson City, New York) was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Kelly consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he engaged in a scheme to defraud investors, including firm customers, of funds totaling […]

  Sean K. Hannon (CRD #4296260, Registered Representative, Cary, North Carolina)   has submitted an Offer of Settlement in which he was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Hannan, without admitting or denying FINRA's allegations, consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that he failed to provide investigative […]

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on May 1, 2012, that they  charged UBS Financial Services Inc. of Puerto Rico and two executives with making misleading statements to investors, concealing a liquidity crisis, and masking its control of the secondary market for 23 proprietary closed-end mutual funds. UBS Puerto Rico will settle the SEC’s charges by […]

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc., also known as FINRA, plans to raise number of user fees it charges broker-dealers to help cover a "significant loss" from last year, said chief executive Richard Ketchum in an InvestmentNews article by Dan Jamieson, from April 24th., 2012. "The broader economic downturn continues to affect trading volumes and industry […]

FLORIDA INVESTORS, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Do you know that all Florida investors have the right to bring claims against their brokers or financial advisors to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, also know  as FINRA?  Know your rights under the Florida Investment Protection Act 517.301.                     The following is from the: 2011 Florida Statutes   517.301 Fraudulent transactions; falsification […]

The following information is from FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary Actions, April, 2012:”   James Landon Yarbrough (CRD #703889, Registered Representative, Clearwater, Florida) was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. The Hearing Officer did not order restitution because FINRA’s Department of Enforcement represented that the customer has been made whole by the […]

The following information is from FINRA’s website under “Disciplinary Actions, April, 2012:”   Banc of America Investment Services, Inc. dba Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (CRD #7691, New York, New York)  submitted a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent in which the firm was censured and fined $55,000. The firm has already paid […]

Have you invested in these  non-traded real estate investment trusts and funds that have recently seen steep devaluations?Name         Offering price      Per share Current estimated value       % decline per share  Behringer Harvard Opportunity REIT I          $10.00      $4.12           -58.80%       Behringer Harvard REIT I                                     $10.00     $4.64           -53.60%       Behringer Harvard Short-Term Opportunity Fund $10.00     $0.40          -96%       Cornerstone Core Properties REIT                     $8.00        $2.25           -71.88%       Inland […]