Stephen Curtis Lawler Jr. of Dunlap, Illinois, a stockbroker registered with Cetera Advisors LLC, is the subject of a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim in which the customer requested compensatory damages. The claim alleged that Lawler made omissions of material fact and unsuitable recommendations in real estate securities and direct investments during the time that he was associated with Cetera Advisors LLC. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitration No. 23-01920 (July 7, 2023).
Public Disclosure shows that Lawler is referenced in three other customer initiated investment related disputes concerning his conduct while associated with securities broker dealers. July 20, 2023, a customer initiated investment related complaint involving Lawler’s conduct was settled for $30,000.00 in damages. The complaint alleged that Lawler recommended unsuitable investments, including real estate investment trusts, and failed to supervise certain representatives at First Allied Securities Inc.
On May 3, 2023, a different customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim involving Lawler’s conduct was settled for $425,000.00 in damages based upon alleged unsuitable recommendations and overconcentration in REITs, misrepresentations of material fact, fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence during Lawler’s association with Investacorp Inc. FINRA Arbitration No. 21-01576.
Lawler is also referenced in a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim that was settled for $7,500.00 in damages. The claim alleged that Lawler made unsuitable recommendations in real estate investment trusts purchased between 2010 and 2014 during the time that Lawler was associated with Investacorp Inc. FINRA Arbitration No. 20-01255 (December 21, 2020).
Lawler was associated with First Allied Securities Inc. in Peoria, Illinois from March 30, 2015, to September 8, 2022. He was also associated with Lawler Financial Advisory Corporation, also in Peoria, Illinois, from November 16, 1997, to December 31, 2021, and with First Allied Advisory Services Inc. in Peoria, Illinois from March 31, 2015, to November 12, 2020.
Lawler has been associated with Cetera Advisors LLC in Dunlap, Illinois since September 8, 2022. He is also registered with Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, with offices in Dunlap, Illinois, and Naples, Florida, since November 12, 2020.
