Wells Fargo

SEC Accuses Former Wells Fargo Broker Kenneth A. Welsh of Stealing Investor Funds

Published on: October 29, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

On October 28, 2021, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) charged former Wells Fargo broker and investment advisor representative Kenneth Welsh with stealing nearly $3 million from his advisory clients and brokerage customers from January 2016 through January 2021. The SEC has accused Mr. Welsh of transferring funds that belonged to his clients and customers to himself and his family to purchase gold coins and other precious metals, buy luxury goods, and pay off personal credit cards.

Mr. Welsh was registered with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC in Fairfield, NJ. Wells Fargo terminated Mr. Welsh’s employment in June 2021 after the allegations arose that Mr. Welsh misappropriated funds from Wells Fargo’s customers, including senior citizens.

Iorio Altamirano LLP is investigating potential legal claims on behalf of customers of Kenneth Welsh and Wells Fargo related to potential misconduct by Mr. Welsh.

Lee Victor Nordstrom, Formerly with Vorpahl Wing Securities, BARRED by FINRA – Spokane, WA

Published on: October 6, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has barred former Vorpahl Wing Securities broker Lee Nordstrom from the securities industry. Nordstrom consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to appear for on-the-record testimony requested by FINRA during the course of an investigation into whether he engaged in potential unsuitable and excessive trading in several customer accounts.

If you have suffered investment losses with Lee Nordstrom, or Vorpahl Wing Securities, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Iorio Altamirano LLP represents investors nationwide that have disputes with their financial advisors or brokerage firms.

Courtney Michelle Kaplan, Formerly with Wells Fargo, BARRED by FINRA – Tampa, FL

Published on: October 5, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has barred former Wells Fargo broker Courtney Michelle Kaplan from the securities industry. Kaplan consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that she refused to provide documents and information requested by FINRA during an investigation into allegations made in a Form U5 amendment filed by Wells Fargo. Kaplan was registered with the firm between June 2017 and March 2019.

The FINRA findings stated that Wells Fargo commenced an internal review after a former client’s daughter alleged that Kaplan borrowed money from her father and that Kaplan and her husband were beneficiaries under her father’s will.

If you have suffered investment losses with Courtney Michelle Kaplan, or Wells Fargo, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Debasish Hajra, Formerly of Wells Fargo, Suspended by FINRA – Marietta, Georgia

Published on: August 20, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has suspended financial advisor Debasish Hajra from the securities industry for 30 calendar days. Mr. Hajra consented to the suspension after FINRA alleged that, while associated with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC in Marietta, GA, Mr. Hajra executed nine unauthorized trades with a total principal value of $526,966 in his deceased customer’s account. FINRA also fined Mr. Hajra $5,000.

Customers of Mr. Hajra or Wells Fargo who have suffered financial losses, or suspect that Mr. Hajra did not have their best interest in mind when recommending investments or making account transactions, can contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential consultation and review of their legal rights.

Iorio Altamirano LLP represents investors that have disputes with their financial advisors or brokerage firms, such as Wells Fargo.

Former Wells Fargo Broker, Tyler Rigsbee, Barred by FINRA

Published on: July 7, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) has barred financial advisor Tyler Rigsbee from the securities industry for refusing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation. FINRA launched the investigation after Wells Fargo terminated Mr. Rigsbee in April 2021 and alleged that he “was terminated during the course of an internal review where documents appear to show that client funds were received in his personal bank account after being transferred from Wells Fargo to a third-party broker-dealer, and then to his bank account, without permission from clients.”

Mr. Rigsbee was associated with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC in Sacramento, CA, from October 2016 until April 2021.

Customers of Mr. Rigsbee or Wells Fargo can contact New York securities arbitration law firm Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential consultation and review of their legal rights.

Former SagePoint Financial, Inc. Broker Grant Birkley BARRED by FINRA – Barrington, Illinois

Published on: June 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has barred former SagePoint Financial, Inc. broker Grant Birkley from the securities industry for failing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation of the Form U5 filed by SagePoint Financial, which stated that the firm had discharged Birkley after he admitted making referrals to an outside asset manager without the firm’s approval.

The Form U5 is the Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration, and broker-dealers use it to terminate the registration of an individual in the appropriate jurisdictions and/or self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”).

If you have lost money with Grant Birkley, or SagePoint Financial, Inc., contact FINRA arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Former SagePoint Financial, Inc. Broker Cynthia Komarek BARRED by FINRA – Barrington, Illinois

Published on: June 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has barred former SagePoint Financial, Inc. broker Cynthia Komarek from the securities industry for failing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation of the Form U5 filed by SagePoint Financial, which stated that the firm had discharged Komarek after she admitted making referrals to an outside asset manager without the firm’s approval.

The Form U5 is the Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration, and broker-dealers use it to terminate the registration of an individual in the appropriate jurisdictions and/or self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”).

If you have lost money with Cynthia Komarek, or SagePoint Financial, Inc., contact FINRA arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Mario Rivero, Jr., Formerly with Wells Fargo, BARRED by FINRA – Elizabeth, New Jersey

Published on: June 8, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has barred former Wells Fargo broker Mario Rivero, Jr. from the securities industry for failing to cooperate with a FINRA investigation into allegations made by two former customers.

If you have lost money with Mario Rivero, Jr., Wells Fargo, or LPL Financial LLC, contact FINRA arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

FINRA Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent

Former Wells Fargo Broker Gary Len Wells Suspended by FINRA – Tacoma, WA

Published on: May 17, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

FINRA has suspended former Wells Fargo Advisors broker Gary Len Wells from the securities industry for 15 months for accepting a $600,000 bequest from a non-family member. He was also fined $20,000.

Mr. Wells’ suspension runs from May 3, 2021, until August 2, 2022.

If you have lost money with Gary Len Wells, or Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, contact New York securities arbitration lawyers Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential evaluation of your account.

Update: Broker Scott Reed, Formerly of Wells Fargo in Scottsdale, Arizona, Appears to Have a History of Recommending High Risk and High Commission Investments to Customers

Published on: March 6, 2021 | by Iorio Altamirano

**Update: July 29, 2021** On July 28, 2021, Iorio Altamirano LLP announced that it is investigating potential claims involving investments in L Bonds offered by GWG Holdings (GWGH). Upon information and belief, former Wells Fargo broker Scott Reed recommended GWG “L Bonds” to customers. Customers of Scott Reed can contact Iorio Altamirano LLP for a free and confidential consultation and review of their legal rights. To read more about Iorio Altamirano LLP’s investigation into GWG “L Bonds,” click on the following link: Iorio Altamirano LLP Investigates L Bonds offered by GWG Holdings (GWGH)

Original Post:

Update: Broker Scott Reed, Formerly of Wells Fargo in Scottsdale, Arizona, Appears to Have a History of Recommending High Risk and High Commission Investments to Customers