Mark Christopher Hotton, of New York, New York, a stockbroker formerly registered with Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., Inc., has been named in a customer initiated investment related arbitration claim on April 20, 2016, in which the customer requested $736,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that he breached his contractual duties, violated New Jersey Uniform Securities Act, converted the customer’s funds, negligently managed the customer’s portfolio, and committed fraud in reference to the customer’s real estate and stock investments.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public Disclosure reveals that Hotton has been identified in twenty-four additional customer initiated investment related disputes containing allegations of his misconduct while employed with Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., Inc., Alexander Capital L.P., M.S. Farrell & Company, Inc., Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., and American Capital Partners LLC.
Specifically, on May 17, 2006, a customer initiated investment related civil action involving Hotton’s conduct was settled for $2,000,000.00 in damages based upon allegations including conversion, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud in reference to the customer’s real estate security transactions which Hotton effected outside the auspices of his firm. On May 19, 2006, another customer initiated investment related civil action regarding Hotton’s activities was resolved for $1,550,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that he breached his contractual duties and committed fraud regarding a loan arrangement and private placement transaction.
Subsequently, on December 15, 2009, a customer initiated investment related written complaint involving Hotton’s conduct was settled for $2,250,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Hotton made misrepresentations to the customer concerning the safety and value of investments including municipal bonds, options and over-the-counter equities. On January 3, 2011, a customer initiated investment related arbitration claim regarding Hotton’s activities was resolved for $14,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that he placed unsuitable mutual fund trades in the customer’s account without authorization, and defrauded the customer.
Further, on April 17, 2013, a customer initiated investment related arbitration claim involving Hotton’s conduct was settled for $210,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that the customer had been fraudulently induced by Hotton to make investments in private securities transactions. On June 30, 2015, another customer initiated investment related civil action regarding Hotton’s activities was resolved for $25,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that he made misrepresentations to the customer concerning an initial public offering and real estate development project.
Moreover, on April 11, 2016, a customer initiated investment related written complaint involving Hotton’s conduct was settled for $7,500.00 in damages based upon allegations that Hotton churned the customer’s account in the course of effecting over-the-counter equity and mutual fund transactions. On June 9, 2016, another customer filed an investment related civil action regarding Hotton’s activities, in which the customer requested $165,000.00 in damages based upon allegations including gross negligence, fraud, unjust enrichment, conversion, and breach of contract.
Since May 21, 1993, Hotton has been associated with eight different broker dealers, one of which has been expelled by securities regulators for violation of federal securities laws or is otherwise defunct.
Guiliano Law Group
Our practice is limited to the representation of investors. We accept representation on a contingent fee basis, meaning there is no cost to you unless we make a recovery for you. There is never any charge for a consultation or an evaluation of your claim. For more information, contact us at (877) SEC-ATTY.
To learn more about FINRA Securities Arbitration, and the legal process, please visit us at securitiesarbitrations.com
