Author Archives: Staff
Florida Broker Fined, Suspended for Improperly Exercising Trading Discretion in Customer Account
Felipe Henao Vargas (CRD #5140431) is a previously registered broker and registered investment adviser (RIA). From January 2016 to February of 2022, Mr. Vargas was a registered representative of Insigneo Securities LLC in Miami, Florida. In December of 2023, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined and suspended Felipe Henao Vargas for exercising trading… Read More »
Florida-Based Investment Company Settles Cryptocurrency-Related Securities Violations
On February 7th, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that a Florida-based investment company reached a settlement for cryptocurrency-related securities fraud violations. TradeStation—a brokerage company based in Broward County, Florida—will pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations that it improperly sold unregistered securities. Below, our Miami investment fraud lawyer discusses the allegations in… Read More »
FINRA Suspends Florida Broker for Undisclosed Outside Business Activities (OBAs)
Ian James Prukner (CRD #5288581) is a previously registered securities broker and previously registered investment adviser (RIA). From March of 2007 to August of 2022, Mr. Prukner was a registered representative of PFS Investments Inc. in Sarasota. Following an investigation, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suspended this broker for 24 months for engaging… Read More »
Convertible Note Dealer in South Florida Agrees to Settle Unregistered Securities Case
On January 23rd, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took enforcement action against Aryeh Goldstein—and two companies that he owns and controls: Adar Bays, LLC, and Adar Alef, LLC. Mr. Goldstein was accused of acting as an unregistered penny stock dealer. He will now pay $1.25 million as part of a settlement agreement…. Read More »
FINRA Bars Southwest Florida Broker for Failure to Cooperate into Investigation into Alleged Conversion of Funds
Keith M. Curtis (CRD #4798755) is a previously registered investment advisor. From March of 2010 to June of 2015, Mr. Curtis was a representative of JHS Capital Advisors in Sarasota, Florida. From June of 2015 through January of 2022, he was a representative of Aegis Capital Corp. in Tampa. FINRA barred this broker from… Read More »
J.P. Morgan Will Pay $18 Million to Resolve Securities Industry Whistleblower Violations
On January 16th, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that J.P. Morgan—the large New York-based investment bank—has reached a settlement with the agency to pay $18 million to resolve violations of whistleblower regulations. Here, our Florida SEC whistleblower lawyer discusses the case and the law in more detail. SEC Order: J.P. Morgan… Read More »
SEC Charges Investment Adviser With Misappropriation of Investor Funds in Florida (Ponzi Scheme Case)
In December, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against a Florida-based investment professional. According to the SEC, Henry Abdo used his company (Titanium Capital LLC) in order to operate a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme. In total, approximately 160 investors were affected. Within this article, our Miami securities fraud lawyer discusses… Read More »
Real Estate Developer in Florida Charged in $93 Million Investment Fraud Scheme
On January 3rd, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against Rishi Kapoor, a Miami-based real estate developer. Mr. Kapoor was accused of using nearly two dozen companies to carry out a $93 million investment fraud scheme. An immediate asset freeze was also obtained by regulators. The federal agency is… Read More »
Seven Whistleblower Awarded Nearly $30 Million as Part of Single Case
On December 22nd, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced financial awards totaling more than $28 million to seven different whistleblowers. The seven individuals provided the federal agency with significant “information and assistance” that helped regulators take enforcement action that stopped a major securities fraud scheme. Within this blog post our SEC whistleblower… Read More »
Florida Unregistered Broker Among Those Charges By SEC in Multi-Million Dollar Case
On December 7th, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced federal securities fraud charges against five unregistered brokers, including a South Florida resident. In total, the defendants engaged in $525 million in unregistered securities offerings—thereby netting nearly $90 million in improper profits from undisclosed fees. Within this article, our Florida unregistered broker losses… Read More »
