VSR and Reps Fined and Censured Over Sales of High-Risk Alternative Investments

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), May 15,2013, censured and fined VSR Financial Services, $550,000 over allegations that it failed to supervise its sales of alternative investments to its customers, specifically as it related to concentration in hedge funds, notes, REITs and private placements investments. Donald Beary, VSR’s President, received a 45-day suspension and $10,000 fine. (FINRA #2010022963602).

In October, 2011, Michael Daniel Shaw, a financial advisor at VSR’s office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Shaw consented to the entry of findings that he recommended and effected the sale of high-risk private placements to clients without having a reasonable basis to believe the transactions were suitable given the customers' financial circumstances. Allegedly, Michael Shaw made misrepresentations or omissions in connection with the purchases or sales of the private placements (FINRA #2010022963601).

If your broker recommended risky alternative investments which may have created losses to your portfolio, call Soreide Law Group for a free consultation with an attorney on how to potentially recover those losses at: 888-760-6552.