Gerald John Cocuzzo (also known as Jerry Cocuzzo) of Boca Raton Florida a stockbroker formerly registered with Newbridge Securities Corporation is referenced in a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim where the customer requested $208,287.00 in damages based upon allegations of unsuitable stock trading by Cocuzzo while he was registered with Newbridge Securities Corporation. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitration No. 20-00394 (Feb. 11, 2020). The claim alleges that the customer’s account had been overconcentrated in equities.
Cocuzzo has been identified in nine additional customer initiated investment related disputes regarding accusations of his bad sales practices while registered with securities broker dealers including JP Turner Company LLC, IAA Financial, GunnAllen Financial and Newbridge Securities Corporation. FINRA Public Disclosure reveals that Cocuzzo is the subject of a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim that was settled to resolve allegations of the stockbroker failing to follow their instructions during the period that he was associated with JP Turner Company.
Another customer filed an investment related arbitration claim concerning Cocuzzo’s activities in which they sought $600,000.00 in damages supported by accusations that the stockbroker made unsuitable options and stock trades at IAA Financial. Cocuzzo is also referenced in a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim which was resolved for $18,000.00 in damages founded on allegations of unsuitable trading of equities in the customer’s account at GunnAllen Financial.
Cocuzzo is the subject of another customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim which was settled for $27,500.00 in damages based upon accusations including the negligent supervision of Cocuzzo and the violation of California Securities Act with respect to stock transactions initiated by him at Newbridge Securities Corporation. FINRA Arbitration No. 16-01684 (June 28, 2017). The claim alleges a breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract by the stockbroker. According to the claim, the stockbroker had been negligently hired, and the customer was defrauded.
On December 12, 2017, an additional customer initiated investment related complaint concerning Cocuzzo’s conduct was resolved for $24,999.00 in damages supported by allegations that the customer had been defrauded by investing in Forcefield Energy Corp because of Cocuzzo. According to the complaint, the Newbridge Securities Corporation customer had sustained losses on the private placement.
Cocuzzo has been barred by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from being a stockbroker or an investment adviser representative according to an Order containing findings of Cocuzzo committing fraud as it pertained to Forcefield Energy Inc. SEC v. Gerald John Cocuzzo Administrative Proceeding No. 3-18186 (June 18, 2017). SEC found that the stockbroker received kickbacks for telling customers to purchase shares of Forcefield Energy, and he failed to apprise them of receiving kickbacks from Forcefield’s chairman.
SEC also noted that on October 12, 2016, the stockbroker pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud. The criminal indictment resulting in Cocuzzo’s guilty plea alleges that he executed a scheme to defraud Forcefield stock purchasers.
