See more recent updates: Original Post: On November 4, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Bradley Heppner, the former Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman of GWG Holdings, Inc. (“GWG”), was indicted on multiple counts of securities fraud, wire fraud, false statements to auditors, and falsification of records (DOJ press release). For…
Continue reading ›
Yesterday, October 30, 2025, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) barred a former broker at Transamerica Financial Advisor, Mr. George Ndifor Jing, from associating with any FINRA member firm in all capacities as a result of failing to cooperate with an investigation. If you were a client of George N. Jing and suffered investment losses…
Continue reading ›
Investment Advisor Representative Yvette Barrra has recently been named as a defendant in substantial civil lawsuit in Texas alleging over $21 million in damages. The complaint features allegations of recommending unregistered securities and failing to act in clients’ best interests. If you were a client of Yvette Barrera or Texas Financial Advisory and suffered investment…
Continue reading ›
Recently, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced disciplinary actions against two financial advisors, Eyan M. Townsend and George J. Cairnes, for serious misconduct, including unauthorized communications, undisclosed outside business activities, borrowing funds from a client, and interfering with a firm’s investigation. If you were a client of Eyan M. Townsend or George J. Cairnes…
Continue reading ›Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated has agreed to pay $9.5 million to settle a FINRA arbitration claim filed by former Miami Dolphins safety Reshad Jones. The claim stemmed from alleged misconduct by Jones’s former financial advisor, Isaiah Thomas Williams, who was accused of misappropriating over $2.5 million from the NFL veteran’s investment accounts.…
Continue reading ›
FINRA Sanctions Zachary Taylor The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Merrill Lynch and Oppenheimer broker Zachary Ellis Taylor (CRD #6074776) for nine months in all capacities after finding that he willfully violated federal securities laws and FINRA rules. According to a FINRA settlement order (No. 2022075083801), between August 2020 and June 2023,…
Continue reading ›See more recent updates: Original Post: The GWG Wind Down Trust filed its latest status report on August 15, 2025, with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, providing new details for GWG L Bond investors. Liz Freeman, the GWG Wind Down Trustee, also released the trust’s recent financial statements. These reports cover the Trust’s activities for the…
Continue reading ›In another significant win for GWG L Bond investors, a FINRA arbitration panel has ordered Arete Wealth Management, LLC to pay $280,000 in compensatory damages to a harmed investor. The award, issued on August 11, 2025 (FINRA Arbitration Award No. 22-01257), marks the second time in as many years that the Chicago-based broker-dealer has been…
Continue reading ›The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced significant settlements with Emerson Equity, LLC—the managing broker-dealer for the now-defunct GWG Holdings, Inc. (“GWG”) L Bond program. It also settled with Tony Barouti, one of the nation’s most prolific L Bond sales representatives. These enforcement actions provide further confirmation of what Iorio Law PLLC has…
Continue reading ›
Iorio Law PLLC is actively investigating sales practices by broker-dealers, including Osaic and Janney Montgomery Scott, concerning their recommendations of the Easterly ROCMuni High Income Municipal Bond Fund (tickers: RMJAX, RMHIX, RMHVX). This mutual fund, marketed as a source of high-income returns, has collapsed, leaving investors with catastrophic losses. The fund has significantly underperformed and…
Continue reading ›
