Syosset, NY-based stockbroker Matthew Eckstein was recently charged with three counts of second-degree grand larceny, third degree grand larceny, and two counts of first-degree scheme to defraud by the Nassau County District Attorney. These charges stem from Mr. Eckstein’s business as a financial advisor in Garden City, NY, and more…
Articles Posted in Ponzi Scheme
Woodbridge Investors Solicited by Former Quest Capital Broker Frank Dietrich May Have Arbitration Claims
If you invested in Woodbridge upon the recommendation of former financial advisor Frank Roland Dietrich (“Dietrich”), you may be able to recover your losses in arbitration before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). According to FINRA BrokerCheck, a number of investors have already filed claims against Mr. Dietrich and his…
Steven Pagartanis, Former Cadaret, Grant Broker, Accused of Fraud by SEC
On May 30, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed a civil complaint against Mr. Steven Pagartanis, alleging that the East Setauket, NY stockbroker purportedly “[d]efrauded at least nine retail investors of approximately $8 million by soliciting and selling them securities using false and misleading statements from 2013 to…
Woodbridge Noteholders Seek Role in Bankruptcy Restructuring
As we have detailed in numerous blog posts, the Woodbridge Group of Companies, LLC (“Woodbridge”) and certain of its affiliated entities filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 17-12560-KJC) on December 4, 2017. From the outset of this Chapter…
Former Cambridge Investment Research Broker Ralph Savoie Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud
Investors who suffered losses due to misconduct by financial advisor Ralph Savoie (CRD# 411660) may be able to recover their losses in arbitration before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). On March 26, 2018, Mr. Savoie plead guilty in Louisiana federal court to stealing up to $1.5 million from clients,…
Woodbridge Bankruptcy Update: Chief Restructuring Officer Resigns Amid Concerns Related to Need for Independent Trustee Oversight
As highlighted in our most recent blog posts concerning the Woodbridge Group of Companies (“Woodbridge”) of Sherman Oaks, CA, Woodbridge filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 4, 2017, in Delaware Bankruptcy Court (Case No. 17-12560-KJC). Thereafter, on December 21st, the SEC formally filed charges against Woodbridge and its owner…
Woodbridge Bankruptcy Update: SEC Seeks Appointment of Chapter 11 Trustee to Ensure Adequate Representation of Woodbridge Investors
As we have discussed in previous blog posts, on December 21, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) formally announced charges against the Woodbridge Group of Companies (“Woodbridge”) of Sherman Oaks, CA, as well as Woodbridge’s related unregistered investment funds and the firm’s owner and former CEO, Robert Shapiro. Essentially,…
Purported Massive Investment Fraud had Hallmark Signs of a Ponzi Scheme
As we recently discussed in detail in a previous blog post, on December 21, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) formally announced charges, as well as an asset freeze, against the Woodbridge Group of Companies (“Woodbridge”) of Sherman Oaks, CA, as well as Woodbridge’s related unregistered investment funds, and…
SEC Charges Operators of Woodbridge with Running $1.2 Billion Ponzi Scheme
On December 21, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) formally announced charges, as well as an asset freeze, against the Woodbridge Group of Companies (“Woodbridge”) and its related unregistered investment funds, as well against Woodbridge’s owner and former CEO, Robert Shapiro. Through initiating litigation (the “Complaint”) in Florida federal…
LPL Loses $462,000 Arbitration Claim Involving Former Broker Charles Fackrell
On December 18, 2017, LPL Financial LLC (“LPL”) lost a FINRA arbitration concerning customer claims related to former LPL broker Charles Fackrell. The three-member FINRA panel issued a $462,000 aggregate award to six of Mr. Fackrell’s former clients, an amount which must be satisfied by LPL within 30 days. As…