Mark Fred Augusta (also known as Mark Fredrick Augusta), of Cardiff, California, a stockbroker registered with Hilltop Securities Inc., was the subject of a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim that was settled for $24,999.00 in damages based upon allegations that Augusta engaged in unauthorized trading and made unsuitable investment recommendations when Augusta was associated with Hilltop Securities Inc. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitration No. 20-02869 (November 5, 2021).
FINRA Public Disclosure shows that Augusta has been referenced in twenty-one other customer initiated investment related disputes concerning Augusta’s conduct while associated with securities broker dealers, including Wedbush Securities Inc. and Hilltop Securities Inc. Augusta was referenced in a FINRA securities arbitration claim that was settled for $75,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Augusta made unsuitable recommendations, breached his fiduciary duties, made misrepresentations and omissions of material fact, was negligent, and violated state laws in connection with the sale of structured CDs. FINRA Arbitration No. 18-02930 (July 2, 2019).
On October 21, 2019, a FINRA securities arbitration claim involving Augusta’s conduct was settled for $65,625.00 in damages based upon allegations that Augusta made unsuitable recommendations, breached his fiduciary duties, breached a contract, and was negligent in connection with the sale of fixed income products. FINRA Arbitration No. 18-02498.
On November 7, 2019, another FINRA securities arbitration claim involving Augusta’s conduct was settled for $75,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Augusta engaged in unauthorized trading and made unsuitable recommendations of municipal bonds. FINRA Arbitration No. 19-00401.
Augusta was also referenced in a FINRA securities arbitration claim that was settled for $25,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Augusta made unsuitable recommendations, breached his fiduciary duties, breached a contract, committed fraud, and made misrepresentations of material fact in connection with the sale of derivatives and municipal bonds. FINRA Arbitration No. 20-00978 (July 16, 2020).
On October 9, 2021, a different FINRA securities arbitration claim involving Augusta’s conduct was settled for $30,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Augusta made unsuitable recommendations and made misrepresentations of material fact in connection with the sale of municipal bonds. FINRA Arbitration No. 21-00624.
Augusta was associated with Wedbush Securities Inc. in Los Angeles, CA, as a stockbroker from January of 2011 to May of 2015, and associated with Wedbush Securities Inc. in Solana Beach, CA, as an investment advisor representative from January of 2011 to May of 2015. On May 27, 2015, Wedbush Securities Inc. permitted Augusta to resign based upon allegations that Augusta was the subject of a customer complaint.
Augusta has been associated with Hilltop Securities Inc. in Cardiff, California, as a stockbroker since May 29, 2015, and associated with Hilltop Securities Inc. as an investment advisor representative since May 27, 2015.
