Securities fraud attorneys are currently investigating claims on behalf of investors who suffered losses as a result of their investment in Bradford Drilling or Bradford Exploration. Bradford Exploration is, according to its Form D filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, an oil and natural gas development company based in Buffalo, New York. Bradford Drilling Associates filed a Form D Notice of Sale of Securities with the SEC to raise capital. This type of filing is a limited offering exemption that allows small companies to use private placements to raise funds. This private placement was then sold by broker-dealers registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
According to stock fraud lawyers, private placements allow smaller companies to use the sale of debt securities or equities to raise capital without it becoming necessary for them to register these securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because these investments are typically more complicated and carry more risk than other traditional investments, they are usually only suitable for sophisticated, high-net-worth investors.
Securities fraud attorneys say that because the creation and sale of private placements often carry high commissions, these investments continue to be pushed by brokerage firms despite the fact that they may be unsuitable for investors. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority rules have established that brokers and firms have an obligation to fully disclose all the risks of a given investment when making recommendations, and that those recommendations must be suitable for the individual investor receiving the recommendation given their age, investment objectives and risk tolerance.
If you suffered losses as a result of your investment in a Bradford Drilling or Bradford Exploration private placement, you may have a valid securities arbitration claim. To find out more about your legal rights and options, contact a stock fraud lawyer at The Law Office of Christopher J. Gray at (866) 966-9598 for a no-cost, confidential consultation.