Joshua Lofton Baker (also known as Joshua Baker Ford), of Hoover, Alabama, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, has been permitted to resign on November 7, 2023, based upon allegations that Baker was the subject of customer complaints alleging sales practice violations in connection with the sale of whole life insurance and variable…

Cheryl Diane Richardson (also known as Cheryl Diane Johnson), of Freeport, Illinois, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, is the subject of a customer initiated investment related complaint filed on October 12, 2023. In this complaint, the customer requested $415,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Richardson misrepresented material facts in connection with…

Kyung H. Song, of East Hills, New York, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, has been permitted to resign on November 8, 2023, based upon allegations that Song engaged in securities-related activity with a perspective customer in violation of firm policy. The securities broker dealer also reported allegations of Song defrauding the customer…

Benjamin Soccodato of Elmsford, New York, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, was the subject of a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim that was settled for $75,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Soccodato engaged in unsuitable trading and made misrepresentations of material fact in connection with the sale of…

Timothy Brian Campbell (also known as Tim Campbell), of Corinth, Mississippi, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, has been discharged by the securities broker dealer on July 27, 2023, based upon allegations that Campbell supposedly used unapproved, inaccurate sales literature, and was the subject of a customer complaint. In fact, weeks earlier Campbell…

Somboun Thao (also known as Som Thao), of Madison, Wisconsin, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity because Thao failed to respond to FINRA’s request for information. Letter No. 2022074049801 (February 6, 2023). On November 2, 2022, FINRA…

Darien Euclid Bonney of Scottsdale, Arizona, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, is the subject of a customer initiated investment related civil action in which the customer requested compensation based upon allegations that Bonney made misrepresentations of material fact and made unsuitable recommendations of promissory notes in Spyglass during the time that Bonney was…

Darien Euclid Bonney of Scottsdale, Arizona, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, was the subject of a customer initiated investment related civil action in which the customer requested compensation based upon allegations that Bonney made misrepresentations of material fact and made unsuitable recommendations of private securities, including Spyglass and MERCO during the time that…

Claudio M. Gambin Neto of Orlando, Florida, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, is the subject of a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim in which the customer requested up to $500,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Gambin Neto made unsuitable recommendations of life insurance policies and mutual funds when…

Rodd Shannon McMinn of Amherst, New York, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, was the subject of a customer initiated investment related complaint filed on September 22, 2022, in which the customer requested $107,770.00 in damages based upon allegations that McMinn made unsuitable recommendations of life insurance policies during the time that McMinn…

Roger Allan Duval of Spokane, Washington, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, was the subject of a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim that was settled for $30,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Duval failed to repay customer funds that Duval “borrowed” when he was associated with MML Investors Services…

Ronald Lewis Millar III of Weston, FL, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC, was the subject of a customer initiated investment related complaint filed on June 15, 2022, in which the customer requested compensation based upon allegations that Millar made unsuitable recommendations of fixed annuities and mutual funds and mismanaged investment accounts during…

Bernard Joseph Audet of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, a stockbroker currently registered with MML Investors Services LLC, is the subject of a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim that was settled for $8,000,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Audet made misrepresentations and breached a fiduciary duty in connection with the recommendation and sale…

Amanda Yvonne Berry (also known as Amanda Yvonne Coleman and as Amanda Yvonne Oostrum) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC, is the subject of a customer initiated investment related complaint that was settled on May 27, 2022, for $82,967.79 in damages based upon accusations that Berry made unsuitable…

Edgar A. Kleydman of Brooklyn, New York, a stockbroker formerly registered with Equitable Advisors LLC (formerly known as AXA), is named in a customer initiated investment related FINRA securities arbitration claim where the customer received an award of $10,325.32 in damages supported by findings of Kleydman’s sales practice violations. The Statement of Claim alleges negligence,…

Daniel James Lauletta of Cleveland, Ohio, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC, is the subject of an Arkansas Securities Department regulatory investigation in which the Department might file a complaint seeking revocation, administrative fines, and a cease and desist order against Lauletta based upon allegations that Lauletta potentially violated Arkansas Securities Act…

Adam Gerard Belardino of Elmsford, New York, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC, is identified in a customer initiated investment related written complaint which was resolved for $13,431.00 on December 21, 2021, founded on accusations that unsuitable real estate investment trusts were sold to the customer by Belardino during the time that…

Michael Joseph Giannetti of McKinney, Texas, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC, has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon findings that he did not comply with the request FINRA made during its investigation into his potential outside business activities while registered…

Hayk Nmn Papoyan, of Van Nuys, California, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC, has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity founded on findings of Papoyan providing false testimony to the regulator regarding an outside investment account. Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent No….

Daniel James Lauletta, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, a stockbroker formerly registered with MSI Financial Services Inc., is identified in a customer initiated investment related civil lawsuit which was resolved for $1,150,000.00 in damages on December 10, 2021, based upon accusations of Lauletta’s deceptive sales tactics and negligence as it pertained to insurance policies sold by…

Charles Jonathan Evan of Wellesley Massachusetts a stockbroker formerly registered with MSI Financial Services is referenced in a customer initiated investment related written complaint on February 11, 2021, in which the customer requested compensatory damages founded upon accusations of unsuitable recommendations by Evan relating to life insurance and annuity products that were sold by Evan…

Edgar A. Kleydman of Brooklyn New York a stockbroker formerly registered with AXA Advisors LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity founded on findings that he did not cooperate with FINRA during its investigation into his alleged private securities transactions while registered with AXA Advisors….

Robert Joseph Boyer III (also known as Bob Boyer) of Wayne Pennsylvania a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon findings that he obstructed a FINRA investigation into a customer initiated investment related complaint regarding accusations…

Curt Giacobbe of Melville New York a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity founded upon accusations that Giacobbe failed to cooperate with FINRA’s request for information. Case No. 2020065067201 (November 6, 2020). FINRA Public Disclosure shows that Giacobbe…

Michael John Libmann (also known as Mike Libmann) of Quincy Illinois a stockbroker currently registered with Pruco Securities LLC is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint which was settled for $91,000.00 in damages supported by allegations that unsuitable transactions were made by Libmann when he was registered with Pruco Securities LLC….

Adam Gerard Belardino of Elmsford New York a stockbroker formerly registered with MML investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based on a Decision containing findings that Belardino refused to cooperate with a FINRA investigation in regard to customer complaints. Department of Enforcement…

Kevin Edward Stokesbary of Mercer Island Washington a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint that was resolved for $34,862.32 in damages on August 7, 2019 supported by accusations that the customer had been sold an unsuitable whole life insurance policy and variable annuity…

Jeffrey Paul Weiner of Elmsford New York a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC is referenced in a customer initiated investment related written complaint on February 14, 2021 in which the customer requested more than $5,000.00 in compensatory damages supported by allegations that Weiner made misrepresentations regarding a variable life insurance policy that…

Adam Gerard Belardino of Elmsford New York a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services has been charged by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) with failing to cooperate with an investigation in which he was being examined for possible excessive trading in customer accounts. Department of Enforcement v. Adam Gerald Belardino Disciplinary Proceeding No. 2019062347102…

Keith Holcomb of Pawtucket Rhode Island a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been fined $7,500.00 and suspended from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity founded on findings that Holcomb borrowed customer funds in violation of MML company policy. Letter of Acceptance Waiver and Consent No….

Chad T. Mackland of Council Bluff Iowa a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity supported by findings that Mackland neglected to provide information and documents to FINRA when it investigated him for accusations of fraud. Letter of Acceptance…

Charles Jonathan Evan of Wellesley Massachusetts a stockbroker formerly registered with New England Securities and MML Investors Services is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint on September 4, 2020 in which the customer requested unspecified damages supported by allegations that the customer had been provided with misrepresented information in regards to…

Roger Allan Duval of Bellevue Washington a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity founded upon findings that he converted funds belonging to three customers of the securities broker dealer. Letter of Acceptance Waiver and Consent No. 2019062789901…

Bernard Joseph Audet of Newtown Square Pennsylvania a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services and New England Securities is referenced in a customer initiated investment related civil action that was resolved for $8,000,000.00 in damages founded on allegations that a fiduciary duty that was owed to the customer had been breached by the stockbroker and…

Adam Gerard Belardino of Elmsford New York a stockbroker formerly employed by MML Investors Services (Massachusetts Mutual life Insurance Company) has been identified in a customer initiated investment related written complaint which was resolved on May 8, 2020 for $51,133.06 in damages founded on accusations of misrepresentations as it pertained to a variable universal life…

Dustin Michael Blount of Vicksburg Mississippi a stockbroker formerly associated with MML Investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any FINRA member in any capacity supported by allegations that the stockbroker neglected to respond to FINRA’s request for information. Case No. 2019061481901 (Mar. 9, 2020). According to FINRA Public Disclosure, Blount was not…

Floyd Earl Powell of Albertville Alabama a stockbroker formerly employed by MSI Financial Services Inc. and MML Investors Services LLC has been identified in a customer initiated investment related arbitration claim which was resolved for $1,075,000.00 in damages founded on accusations that (1) investment information was falsified or concealed by the stockbroker in regard to…

Andrew Charles Berleth of Walnut Creek California a stockbroker currently employed by MML Investors Services has been identified in a customer initiated investment related written complaint on June 11, 2018 where the customer sought damages estimated to exceed $5,000.00 founded on accusations that Berleth made misrepresentations about an annuity that he sold to the customer….

“The investors’ funds were used by Francis on strip club bills, alcohol and cocaine. “ Oscar Francis of Fort Lauderdale Florida a stockbroker formerly associated with MML Investors Services LLC has been barred by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from associating with any securities broker dealer or investment adviser based upon the stockbroker being found…

Charles Jonathan Evan of Wellesley Massachusetts a stockbroker formerly registered with MML investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon consenting to findings that he failed to comply with requests made by FINRA during the time that the regulator investigated him for…

Alexander George Lycouris of Fort Lauderdale Florida a stockbroker formerly employed by MML Investors Services LLC has been suspended for seven months from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity supported by findings that (1) Lycouris engaged in an outside business activity without having disclosed that information to MML when…

Leon Michael Almeida of Paramus New Jersey a stockbroker currently registered with MML Investors Services (also known as MetLife) is referenced in a customer initiated investment related complaint on August 16, 2019 in which the customer sought damages estimated to exceed $5,000.00 based upon allegations that false or misleading statements had been made in regard…

Marcus Christian Decker of Fort Lauderdale Florida a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint on August 23, 2019 in which the customer sought more than $10,000.00 in damages based upon accusations that (1) unauthorized transactions were effected by Decker after the customer…

Mark Andrew Cramer of LaRue Ohio a stockbroker currently registered with MML Investors Services LLC (formerly known as MSI Financial Services LLC) has been fined $5,000.00 and suspended for two months from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon findings of customer’s signatures having been forged by Cramer…

Tyler James Woodward of Colorado Springs Colorado a stockbroker formerly employed by MML Investors Services has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon a FINRA Hearing Panel Decision containing findings that Woodward failed to give documentation to FINRA and provide recorded testimony before FINRA personnel…

Sudesh Kumar Jain of Dayton Ohio a stockbroker currently registered with NYLife Securities LLC is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint which was resolved for $11,487.91 on January 9, 2019 founded on accusations that (1) the customer was placed into a variable annuity that failed to align with the customer’s financial…

Eric Eugene Ott of Cincinnati Ohio a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been fined $15,000.00 and suspended for thirteen months from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon consenting to findings that (1) Ott executed the unauthorized purchases of life insurance policies held in…

Dung Thanh Nguyen of Houston Texas a stockbroker formerly registered with MetLife Securities Inc. has been suspended from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon findings that Nguyen engaged in undisclosed outside business activities while employed by the firm. Letter of Acceptance Waiver and Consent No. 2016050536901 (Apr….

Floyd Earl Powell of Albertville Alabama a stockbroker formerly employed by MML Investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon consenting to findings that Powell engaged in private securities transactions while associated with the firm. Letter of Acceptance Waiver and Consent No….

Thomas John Leone of Farmington Connecticut a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services is referenced in a customer initiated investment related written complaint which was settled on May 10, 2018 to resolve accusations that (1) the customer’s assets had been inappropriately transferred a number of times between annuities and mutual funds and (2) the…

Matthew Leon White of Little Rock Arizona a broker formerly employed by MML Investors Services LLC has been fined $5,000.00 by Arkansas based upon consenting to the Arkansas Securities Department’s findings that White sold away from his firm. Case No. S-18-0105 (Oct. 17, 2018). According to the Order, prior to White having become registered with…

Chad T. Mackland of Omaha Nebraska a stockbroker formerly registered with Mass Mutual has been discharged by the firm on September 4, 2018 based upon Mass Mutual’s accusations that misrepresentations had been made to customers by Mackland in regard to the terms and conditions of traditional life insurance policies which had been sold by Mackland…

Nicola Ottavio Caporaso of Melville New York a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors is referenced in a customer initiated investment related written complaint which was resolved for $20,000.00 on January 26, 2018 supported by allegations that (1) Caporaso inappropriately advised customers to surrender their annuity investments and use the proceeds for managed account investments…

Matthew Stanley Sinclair of Elmsford New York a stockbroker currently registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been fined by State of New York Department of Financial Services supported by accusations that Sinclair gave a customer life insurance documentation containing false information. Case No. 2017-0056-S (May 19, 2017). Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public Disclosure…

Richard Allen Grenda of Downers Grove Illinois a stockbroker formerly employed by MML Investors Services LLC is the subject of a customer initiated investment related arbitration claim where the customer requested $74,253.55 in damages based upon accusations that misrepresentations had been made to the customer about the terms and conditions of a variable annuity purchased…

Miguel Angel Aguilar of Forth Worth Texas a broker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity supported by allegations that Aguilar declined to answer an inquiry from FINRA in regard to his possible misconduct. Case No. 2016051130501 (Apr. 26,…

David William McConnell of Grandview Ohio a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been discharged on May 25, 2017 supported by accusations that McConnell mishandled confidential information from customers and became subject of a customer initiated investment related complaint. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public Disclosure confirms that McConnell is referenced in…

Samuel E. Barber of Naugatuck Connecticut a stockbroker formerly employed by MML Investors Services LLC has been discharged by the firm on March 27, 2017 based upon accusations that Barber became the subject of a customer complaint which alleged that a traditional insurance product sold to the customer had been misrepresented. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority…

Robert Jay Myers of Greenwood Village Colorado a stockbroker formerly employed by MML Investors Services LLC has been fined $20,000.00 and suspended for one year from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon consenting to findings that he engaged in undisclosed outside business activities. Letter of Acceptance Waiver…

Tyler James Woodward of Colorado Springs Colorado a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been charged by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Department of Enforcement in Complaint alleging that Woodward failed to cooperate in a FINRA investigation into allegations that he converted a customer’s funds. Department of Enforcement v. Tyler J. Woodward…

Tyler V. Schultz of Meridian Idaho a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been suspended from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity supported by accusations that Schultz declined to provide FINRA information about his business activities or sales practices after it had been requested of him…

Mark Andrew Cramer of LaRue Ohio a stockbroker formerly registered with MSI Financial Services Inc. is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint which was resolved for $456,990.00 on June 11, 2018 founded on allegations that (1) Cramer provided documentation containing forged customer signatures to an insurance company so that he could…

Prentice Valiant Chevalier Jr. of Wall Township New Jersey a stockbroker formerly employed by MSI Financial Services Inc. is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint on October 25, 2017 where the customer sought damages estimated to exceed $5,000.00 based upon accusations that Chevalier inappropriately advised the customer to apply variable annuity…

Ronald Clemente Davis of Raleigh North Carolina a stockbroker formerly registered with MSI Financial Services Inc. is referenced in a customer initiated investment related arbitration claim which was settled to resolve allegations that Davis did not appropriately execute the customer’s instructions of liquidating an advisory account and variable annuity. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitration…

Samiul Anam Chowdhury of Melville New York a stockbroker formerly employed by MML Investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity founded on allegations that he failed to provide FINRA personnel with information that was requested of him. FINRA Case No. 2017053704401 (Dec. 4,…

Abdul Matin Rahmani of Mineola, New York, a stockbroker formerly registered with SW Financial, has been discharged by the firm on December 15, 2017 founded on allegations that he engaged in outside business activities in violation of both the firm’s policy and FINRA Rule 3270. SW Financial alleged that without the firm’s permission, Rahmani enlisted…

Milton Lyman Knowlton of Memphis Tennessee a stockbroker currently registered with MML Investors Servcies LLC is the subject of a Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance investigation launched on February 6, 2018 concerning allegations that Knowlton effected an unsuitable replacement of a customer’s annuity policy. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public Disclosure reveals that on…

William Shane Milton Hall of Rochester New York a former MML Investors Services LLC registered representative has been discharged by the firm on January 16, 2018 founded on accusations that Hall failed to abide by the firm’s affiliate procedures and policies concerning traditional life insurance policy replacements. This is not the first time that Hall…

Brian Patrick Hurley of Braintree Massachusetts a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon allegations of Hurley’s failure to provide FINRA personnel with information that was requested of him. Case No. 2017054610101 (Feb. 20, 2018). FINRA…

Alyssa Jean Schultz of Milwaukee Wisconsin a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services LLC has been terminated by the firm on December 8, 2017 founded on allegations that Schultz was subject of a customer complaint and failed to preserve records in accordance with the company’s policy. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public Disclosure confirms that…

David Craig Sundberg of Lincoln Nebraska a MML Investors Services LLC registered representative is the subject of a customer initiated investment related written complaint on March 15, 2018 in which the customer sought damages estimated to exceed $5,000.00 founded on accusations that Sundberg misrepresented the tax liability that the customer would be exposed to in…

Oscar Francis of Fort Lauderdale Florida a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services, LLC is referenced in a Florida Department of Financial Services investigation that was launched on October 23, 2017 concerning the circumstances surrounding Francis’ termination from MML Investor Services. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public Disclosure confirms that Francis was terminated from…

Brian Michael Travers, of Melville, New York, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services, LLC, has been barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity based upon consenting to findings that he failed to cooperate in an investigation into allegations that he engaged in unapproved private securities transactions…

Robert Evan Ahrendt, of Bellevue, Washington, a stockbroker currently registered with MML Investors Services, LLC, is the subject of an Office of the Insurance Commissioner Order containing findings that he made unsuitable insurance product recommendations to a customer, made misrepresentations regarding terms of an annuity, omitted information from a customer about an annuity’s features, and…

Chander Ketu Goel, of New York, New York, a stockbroker registered with NYLife Securities LLC, has been terminated from employment on June 29, 2016, based upon allegations that he engaged in unauthorized activities by instructing an assistant of his to cover insurance policy premium payments to keep policies intact. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public…

Bernard Joseph Audet, of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, a registered representative formerly associated with New England Securities, has been named in a customer initiated investment related civil action on April 12, 2017, based upon allegations that he breached his fiduciary duties to the customer and made misrepresentations concerning insurance products. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public…

Gary Wayne Hammond, of Charlotte, North Carolina, a stockbroker registered with MML Investors Services, LLC, was terminated from employment on April 21, 2017, based upon allegations that he sold away from his firm and violated the firm’s company policies in the handling of a customer initiated investment related complaint. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public…

Karl Robert Dierman, of Columbus, Nebraska, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services, LLC, has been named in a customer initiated investment related civil action, in which the customer requested $39,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Dierman misappropriated the customer’s funds via forged requests for loans, and effected unauthorized transactions in the customer’s…

Brian Joseph Haney, of Rockville, Maryland, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investor Services, LLC, has been terminated from employment on April 17, 2017, based upon allegations that he utilized a third-party document in an unauthorized manner in order to effect a transaction involving one of the firm’s customers. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Public…

Connie Jo Binz, of Bryant, Arkansas, a stockbroker formerly registered with MSI Financial Services, Inc., has been named in a customer initiated investment related arbitration claim on June 17, 2016, in which the customer requested approximately $5,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Binz misstated information to the customer in the course of effecting variable…

Eugen Velea, of Manasquan, New Jersey, a stockbroker formerly registered with MML Investors Services, LLC, has been named in a customer initiated investment related arbitration claim, which settled on August 1, 2016, for $70,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Velea induced the customer’s mutual fund purchases by making unsuitable investment recommendations. Financial Industry Regulatory…

Pamela Lynn Kourtakis, of Dana Point, California, a stockbroker formerly registered with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, has been named in a customer initiated investment related written complaint on September 8, 2016, in which the customer requested $5,835.18 in damages based upon allegations that Kourtakis effected the purchase of a variable annuity contract that was not…

Daniel James Lauletta, of Valley View, Ohio, a stockbroker formerly registered with Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, has been named in a customer initiated investment related civil action on February 18, 2015, in which the customer requested $455,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Lauletta breached his contractual duties to the customer, and engaged in negligent…

Kenneth Sydney Kaufman, of White Plains, New York, a stockbroker formerly registered with David Lerner Associates, Inc., has been named in a customer initiated investment related written complaint on June 10, 2015, based upon allegations that Kaufman made misrepresentations to the customer concerning real estate securities effected in the customer’s account. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority…

Mikael C. Lee, of San Mateo, California, a stockbroker formerly registered with Wells Fargo Advisors, has been named in a customer initiated investment related written complaint on December 27, 2016, in which the customer requested more than $5,000.00 in damages based upon allegations that Lee misrepresented the terms of investments effected in the customer’s account,…

Mark A. Sutherland, of Moosic, Pennsylvania, a broker formerly registered with MSI Financial Services Inc, has been named in a customer initiated investment related written complaint on September 28, 2015, based upon allegations that Sutherland made misrepresentations to the customer concerning a variable annuity transaction which had been purchased by the customer in February of…

MML Investor Services, LLC, a broker-dealer headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts, was censured by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) after consenting to findings that the firm excessively charged customers concerning mutual funds transactions, and failed to have adequate supervisory procedures and protocols designed to make sure that eligible customers received waivers of sales charges. Letter of…

Stanley C. Niekras, of Liverpoll, New York, a stockbroker formerly associated with MML Investors Services, LLC, was charged by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Department of Enforcement in a Complaint alleging that Niekras made misrepresentations to elderly customers pertaining to investments. Department of Enforcement v. Niekras, No. 2013037401001 (Nov. 7, 2016). According to the Complaint,…

Paul E. Smyth, of Fairfield, Connecticut, a registered representative with MML Investors Services, LLC, was permanently barred from associating with any Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) member in any capacity after consenting to findings that he obstructed a FINRA investigation into allegations of misappropriating a customer’s insurance payments. According to the AWC, MML Investors Services…