MetLife To Pay Record Fine Of $25M

MetLife has agreed to pay $25 million to settle an investigation of abuses pertaining to variable annuities. That penalty is the greatest amount ever paid for violations regarding those products. From that $25 million, $20 million will go to FINRA as a fine and $5 million will be paid to customers for negligent misrepresentations and omissions, said FINRA. MetLife neither admitted nor denied any wrongdoing. According to Brad Bennett, FINRA's Chief of Enforcement, “Variable annuities are complex and expensive products that are routinely pitched to vulnerable investors as a key component of their retirement planning. Firms engaging in this business must ensure that the information on the costs and benefits of these products provided to customers is accurate.” Regulators have been scrutinizing variable annuities more and more. These products can combine securities investments with guaranteed income, an arrangement that may create attractive fees for insurers. According to FINRA, the investigation related to abuses from 2009 to 2014, [...]

AL Man Indicted For Alleged Securities Fraud

Jason Todd Caudle of Sylacauga, Alabama has been indicted for alleged securities fraud, following a March 11, 2016 arrest. The grand jury issued a five-count indictment. On the same day, Caudle posted a bond of $250,000 and was released. Caudle then failed to appear for his arraignment on April 5, 2016 and was arrested again and returned to the Talladega County Jail on April 19, 2016. The grand jury's indictment charged Caudle with one count of Sale of Unregistered Securities and one count of Sale of Securities by an Unregistered Agent; which are Class C felonies, carrying a range of punishment from one year and one day to 10 years’ imprisonment and not more than a $15,000 fine per charge, upon conviction. Additionally, the indictment charges Caudle with three counts of Fraud in Connection with the Sale of Securities for making misrepresentations or omissions of material fact to an investor; for engaging in an act, practice or course of business which operates as a fraud or [...]

Complaints Against Merrill Lynch Broker For Unsuitable Recommendations

According to FINRA's BrokerCheck, Merrill Lynch broker Heather Weber has been the subject of at least seven customer complaints. The complaints claim that Weber violated securities laws, including soliciting unsuitable investments and making misrepresentations of materials facts. In January 2016 a customer filed a complaint alleging $200,000 in damage stemming from unsuitable investment recommendations from 2012 through 2016.  The complaint is pending. In September 2015, another customer filed a complaint alleging unsuitable investments causing $475,000 in losses from investments made from 2012 through July 2014.  This claim is pending as well. In October 2014, a customer alleged that Weber recommended unsuitable investments and made misrepresentations and omissions of material facts from March 2006 to September 2014. The claimant requested $1,500,000 in damages, and the complaint is pending. In January 2014, a customer alleged that Weber recommended unsuitable investments and made misrepresentations and omissions of material facts. The claimant requested $500,000 in damages. The case was settled [...]

Broker Faces Numerous Complaints Of Misrepresentations

According to FINRA's BrokerCheck, New York-based Worden Capital Management broker Allan Montalbano is facing numerous customer complaints for making misrepresentations, among other allegations. Montalbano has spent 13 years in the securities industry and has been registered with Worden Capital Management in Westbury, New York since June 2015. Previous registrations include Four Points Capital Partners in Westbury, New York (2014-2015); National Securities in Westbury, New York (2010-2014); Woodstock Financial in Garden City, New York (2003-2007; 2008-2010); Chase Investment Services in Hicksville, New York (2008); NYLife Securities in Jericho, New York (2008); Pointe Capital in Bethpage, New York (2007); and AXA Advisors in New York, New York (2002-2003). He is a registered broker in 19 US states. Montalbano is currently the subject of six pending broker complaints. In March 2016, five customers filed complaints against Montalbano for conduct that occurred while he was registered with National Securities Corporation. Each complaint alleges that Montalbano made material misrepresentations, breached his fiduciary duty, and [...]