The Securities and Exchange Commission has uncovered a massive pyramid scheme involving several fraudulent entities. The alleged scheme involved offering e-coin “mining packages” that promised to pay daily returns of 1% for up to a year. As you might expect, they...
Securities Law Blog
SEC fines asset managers $10 million for misleading investors
A publicly traded asset manager, Medley Management, and its two co-CEOs are facing charges of misleading clients and investors. The company and its leaders are accused of making misrepresentations “that created the illusion of Medley’s likely future growth.” In fact,...
7 common types of partnership disputes and how to prevent them
Business partnerships often start out happily enough. Two or more like-minded people with similar backgrounds and experience decide to build a company. Some contribute money while others contribute expertise and hard work. As things develop, they hire employees and...
What is an ‘unsuitable’ investment?
Investment advisors and brokers who invest on others’ behalf are required to have a reasonable basis to believe that the investments they choose are suitable for the customer’s investment profile. They must be acting on information obtained through reasonable...
Holding securities firms accountable in financial adviser disputes
Disputes between financial advisers and their employers are often complex. Broker-dealer and registered investment adviser (RIA) firms often entice financial advisers to join their organizations through sign-on bonuses and opportunities for higher earnings. That’s...
When might you be held personally liable for a corporate debt?
Setting up your business as a corporation generally has the advantage of shielding individual officers, directors and shareholders from liability for business losses and debts. The corporation has its own credit rating and contracts are signed on the corporation’s...
Wrongly accused broker prevails against JP Morgan in FINRA arbitration
When a registered broker-dealer or investment advisor leaves a firm for any reason, the reason is submitted to the appropriate jurisdiction and self-regulatory agencies, including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). That means that future employers...
What evidence can you get from the other side in a FINRA arbitration?
If you believe that a broker or brokerage firm has treated you unfairly, you may have a claim for money damages. Depending on your exact situation, you may wish to seek damages in arbitration through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA is a...
5 things to ask your investment advisor
When you’re ready to invest, the advisor you choose will have a big impact on how well your investments perform. How do you know you’re choosing someone qualified, legitimate and honest? Here are five questions you can ask to get through the marketing fluff: Are you a...
SEC: private fund founder overvalued fund assets by over $1 billion
The SEC recently charged the founder and chief investment officer at Infinity Q Capital Management with a massive over-valuation scam. The man allegedly pocketed millions in fees by overvaluing its private fund and mutual fund and masking their real performance. The...