SEC, Justice Department Begin Investigations of Senator Burr, Others

On March 25, 2020, I wrote about a lawsuit filed against North Carolina Senator Richard Burr over his dumping of stocks in the early days of the covid-19 pandemic. In the complaint, a shareholder of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts alleged that Senator Burr sold his stock portfolio based on non-public “insider” information. In late February 2020, Burr, who is chairman of … Read More

Senator Burr Sued for Insider Trading in Violation of the STOCK Act

Two days ago, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr was sued by a shareholder in Wyndham Hotels and Resorts in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. In the complaint, the plaintiff alleged that Senator Burr decided to sell his stock portfolio based on non-public “insider” information. According to news reports, in late February 2020, Burr, who is … Read More

FINRA Arbitration Claims Likely to Spike due to Current Market Crash

At present, the stock market appears to be in free-fall, with most major market indices down approximately 25% in the past two weeks. The extent of the current crash and the duration of the recovery will likely depend on the extent and duration of the coronavirus crisis and the oil price trade war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Absent a … Read More

Does Your Securities Broker or Investment Advisor have Errors and Omissions Insurance?

When shopping for an investment firm, or during your next meeting with your financial professional, ask whether the firm carries errors and omissions insurance. This type of insurance, also known and “E&O coverage,” insures against claims made by customers against their investment professionals. Unpaid arbitration awards remain a significant focus of regulators, legislators, and investor advocates. According to data published … Read More

Investor Advocates Call on FINRA to Immediately Stop the Expungement of Customer Complaints

The Public Investor Arbitration Bar Association (known as PIABA) is a nationwide association of attorneys who advocate for investors through litigation and arbitration and regulatory reform. In a report prepared by The PIABA Foundation, titled 2019 Study on FINRA Expungements, A Seriously Flawed Process that Should be Stopped Immediately to Protect the Integrity of the Public Record, PIABA called upon … Read More

Investment Adviser Permanently Barred over Conflicts of Interest, Failure to Disclose, and Violation of Best Execution Rules

I previously wrote about the SEC’s increased emphasis on the enforcement of an investment advisor’s obligation to provide its customers with the “best execution” of recommended securities trades. See SEC Announces Results of Share Class Selection Disclosure Initiative (March 19, 2019). A recent court decision, from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, illustrates the serious consequences that can result from … Read More

Raleigh Investment Adviser Stephen Condon Peters Sentenced to 40 Years In Prison for Operating a Ponzi Sheme

Stephen Condon Peters, a Raleigh investment advisor, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after being found guilty following a jury trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. In sentencing Peters, he presiding judge, James C. Dever, III, noted Peters’ lengthy and systematic scheme involving theft of clients’ money, obstructing an investigation by … Read More

State Attorneys General Sue the SEC to Nullify Regulation Best Interest

On September 9, 2019, seven states and the District of Columbia sued the United States Securities and Exchange Commission to invalidate Regulation Best Interest: The Broker-Dealer Standard of Conduct (“Regulation BI”). The Attorneys General of California, New York, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, New Mexico, and Oregon alleged in their complaint that Regulation BI: undermines critical consumer protections … Read More