Recent Blog Posts
Man Operated Ponzi Scheme While in Prison, including in Florida
According to a press release from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Seth Adam Depiano, a 43-year-old man who is originally from California, is facing charges for allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme while incarcerated in federal prison, including while at a facility in Florida. Mr. Depiano—who was already in prison for fraud—is accused… Read More »
Florida Broker Fined and Suspended for Undisclosed Outside Business Activities
Benjamin J. Rosamond (CRD #: 5282092) is a previously registered securities broker. From October of 2020 to May of 2023, Mr. Rosamond was a representative of Robinhood Securities, LLC in Lake Mary, Florida. In May of 2023, Mr. Rosamond was discharged by the brokerage firm for undisclosed outside business activities. The Financial Industry Regulatory… Read More »
Vinco Ventures Chief Executive Faces Securities Fraud Charges in South Florida
Roderick “Rod” Vanderbilt is a former chief executive officer (CEO) for a company called Vinco Ventures. In July of 2023, that company was officially delisted by Nasdaq. Mr. Vanderbilt is now facing felony conspiracy to commit securities fraud charges in a federal court in South Florida. Here, our Miami securities fraud attorney discusses the… Read More »
Madoff Victims Receive Final Payout (Nearly 94 Percent Recovery)
According to reporting from the International Business Times, the final payments have been made to the victims of the record-breaking Madoff Ponzi scheme. With these payments—which come more than 15 years after the scheme fell apart—the victims have recovered approximately 94 percent of their losses. Here, our Miami Ponzi scheme lawyer provides a more… Read More »
Florida Broker Fined and Suspended for Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
Victor Alan Lessinger (CRD #830821) is a previously registered securities broker. From October of 2012 to April of 2023, Mr. Lessinger was a representative of Colorado Financial Service Corporation in Boca Raton, Florida. He was recently fined and suspended by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for making unsuitable investment recommendations. Here, our Miami… Read More »
SEC Charges Florida SEC in Illegal Stock Sale Scheme
On December 9th, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced securities fraud charges against Steve A. Smith, Jr. and Xtreme Fighting Championships, Inc. Mr. Smith Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. He reportedly engaged in an illegal stock sale scheme. In total, the SEC alleges that the illegal sale… Read More »
South Florida Woman Sentenced in Nearly $200 Million Ponzi Scheme
On December 3rd, 2024, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that a South Florida woman has been sentenced for her role in a nearly $200 million Ponzi scheme. Johanna Michely Garcia—the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of an investment company called MJ Capital Funding, LLC—has been sentenced to serve 20 years in… Read More »
Broker from Miami Barred, Held Liable for Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
Mark Sam Kolta (CRD #5324620) is a previously registered broker and previously registered investment adviser (RIA). Mr. Kolta is currently listed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) as a resident of Miami, Florida. Earlier this year, FINRA’s Office of Hearing Officers (OHO) issued a decision against his broker. Here, our Miami unsuitable investment… Read More »
South Florida Broker Fined, Suspended for FINRA Violations
Christian Eduardo De Berardinis (CRD #4312327) is a registered investment adviser (RIA) and previously registered securities broker. Mr. De Berardinis is a resident of Palm Beach County. From July of 2015 to July of 2023, he was a representative of Morgan Stanley. Mr. De Berardinis voluntarily resigned from the firm in 2023 after allegations… Read More »
Florida Broker Fined, Suspended By FINRA for Improper Use of Discretion in Customer Account
Glenn Allen Donnell (CRD #2239397) is a registered broker. From 1998 to 2020, Mr. Donnell was a representative of Investacorp in Crystal River, Florida. Subsequently, the broker was also associated with Securities America, Inc. and Sigma Financial Corporation—also in Crystal River. Mr. Donnell has been fined and suspended for improperly exercising trading discretion in… Read More »
