Investment Fraud Lawyers Serving Tampa
If you suffered financial losses because a broker put their commissions ahead of your interests, our investment fraud lawyers can help you pursue recovery. The Tampa Bay area, including downtown Tampa, is home to a large population of retirement-age investors. That makes the region a frequent target for broker misconduct and unsuitable investment recommendations.
In 2025 alone, fraud in the region topped $100 million, driven largely by the Clearwater nonprofit fraud case. Two Tampa Bay men were federally indicted for stealing more than $100 million from a nonprofit that managed special needs trusts for over 2,100 vulnerable individuals, including disabled children. The case serves as a stark reminder that financial fraud can devastate entire communities, and that victims of financial misconduct in the Tampa Bay area need experienced legal counsel on their side.
If a financial professional mismanaged your investment account or steered you into products you never should have owned, we will work to hold them accountable.
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has been fighting for individual investors like you for over 45 years, recovering $185 million for clients harmed by investment fraud. Our experienced Tampa investment fraud attorneys understand how brokerage firms defend these claims, and we know how to build a case that gives you the strongest chance of getting your money back. Call (800) 732-2889 today for a free consultation.
Investigations of Miami, Florida Brokers by the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce has published investigations into several brokers who worked in or were based in Miami, Florida, with multiple customer complaints on their records. Fred Berens, a broker who was registered with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and previously with Wells Fargo Clearing Services, has been the subject of five customer complaints, two of which resulted in arbitration awards for investors (one exceeding $2.5 million) and three of which were settled in the investors’ favor. Javier Adolfo Naselli, a Creand Securities broker, has four customer-dispute disclosures on his FINRA BrokerCheck report, including a pending arbitration alleging an unsuitable “selling-away” scheme tied to a proposed biorefinery investment in Uruguay, along with older disputes involving excessive commissions and unauthorized account management. Chuck A. Roberts, formerly of Stifel, Nicolaus & Company (and previously Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Oppenheimer), was barred by FINRA in July 2025 after refusing to give on-the-record testimony during an investigation into numerous customer disputes totaling tens of millions of dollars, largely involving unsuitable recommendations of structured notes and complex products. The firm has also flagged former Jefferies LLC brokers Pablo Gherardi, Santiago Ocampo, and Nicholas Coubrough, all located in Miami, as subjects of sales-practice-abuse investigations, with the firm noting that the large number of customer complaints at Jefferies LLC raises broader questions about that brokerage’s supervisory practices.
Investment Fraud Cases We Handle in Tampa
Our experienced law firm handles every major type of investment fraud and broker misconduct case affecting Tampa investors. Investment fraud takes many forms, and the cases below are common examples of the claims we pursue most often, which includes insider trading and other deceptive practices.Why Choose Robert Wayne Pearce as Your Tampa Investment Fraud Lawyer?
Investors choose Robert Wayne Pearce for over 45 years of investment fraud experience and a track record of $185 million recovered for clients. The lawyer you choose to handle your claim has a direct effect on whether you recover your losses and how much you get back.
- 45+ Years of Experience: Robert Wayne Pearce has handled investment fraud cases for over four decades, giving our firm an inside understanding of how brokerage firms defend themselves.
- $185 Million Recovered: Our firm has recovered $185 million for clients harmed by investment fraud across the country.
- 99%+ Success Rate: Mr. Pearce has recovered funds for over 99% of his clients through court litigation, arbitrations, and settlements nationwide and internationally.
- 200+ Cases Tried: Attorney Pearce has tried over 200 cases to trial verdict or arbitration award, with only 4 losses for clients in his career.
- No Fees Unless We Win: We represent clients on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Meet the Team
Robert Wayne Pearce
Securties Attorney
Adam Kara-Lopez
Securties AttorneyHow Florida Securities Law Affects Your Investment Fraud Claim
Florida securities law and FINRA rules set strict deadlines that control how long you have to file an investment fraud claim. Missing one of these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover, which is why many investors are surprised to learn how quickly the statute can run.
The Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act, often called the state's Blue Sky Laws, governs securities fraud claims throughout Florida and is enforced by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Alongside these state protections, several separate timing rules may apply to your claim:
- FINRA arbitration eligibility: Under FINRA Rule 12206, claims generally must be filed within six years of the events giving rise to the dispute.
- Federal securities claims: These can be brought in federal court, including the Middle District of Florida. They carry a two-year deadline from when you discovered the fraud, with an absolute five-year limit from when it occurred.
- State law claims: Florida claims have their own limitations periods, and some can be shorter than the federal or FINRA windows.
Because more than one deadline can apply at once, having your case reviewed promptly is the best way to protect every claim available to you.
How Investment Fraud Cases Work in Florida
Once you decide to pursue your losses, your case will move through three main stages, from the first review of your account to a final resolution. Knowing what each stage involves helps you understand what to expect.
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FINRA arbitration eligibility:
Under FINRA Rule 12206, claims generally must be filed within six years of the events giving rise to the dispute. -
Federal securities claims:
These can be brought in federal court, including the Middle District of Florida. They carry a two-year deadline from when you discovered the fraud, with an absolute five-year limit from when it occurred. -
State law claims:
Florida claims have their own limitations periods, and some can be shorter than the federal or FINRA windows. - Contact Our Experienced Tampa Investment Fraud Attorneys Now for a Free Consultation Get A Free Consultation
If a broker cost you your hard-earned savings, contact our Tampa investment fraud attorneys today for a free and confidential consultation about your losses. Many of our clients come to us feeling helpless and betrayed after discovering that someone they trusted gambled away assets they spent a lifetime building. We want you to know that you do not have to face this alone, and we will fight to get back what is rightfully yours.
The deadlines that control investment fraud claims are strict, so the sooner you act, the better we can protect your rights. Call (800) 732-2889 today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced investment fraud lawyers and take the first step toward recovery.
Other Areas in Florida We Serve
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. represents investors well beyond Tampa, reaching clients throughout the state of Florida. Investment fraud victims everywhere deserve experienced legal representation, and we understand how much it means to have a firm that knows your area and is ready to fight for your recovery. Along with Tampa, our investment fraud attorneys serve clients in:Tampa Investment Fraud F.A.Q
Tampa investors come to us with many of the same questions about how investment fraud claims work and what recovery looks like. The answers below address the concerns we hear most often.How long do I have to file an investment fraud claim in Florida?
FINRA arbitration claims generally must be filed within six years of the events that gave rise to your dispute. State law claims in Florida have their own limitations periods, and some of those windows can be shorter, so it is best to have your case reviewed as early as possible.
What is FINRA arbitration and where are Tampa hearings held?
FINRA arbitration is the dispute resolution process used to resolve most claims between investors and their brokerage firms. For Florida investors, FINRA arbitration hearings are held at the Miami hearing location, so you generally will not need to travel far to have your case heard.
How much does it cost to hire an investment fraud lawyer?
Our firm handles investment fraud cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. This arrangement lets you pursue your claim without worrying about upfront legal fees while your finances are already strained.
What types of losses can I recover?
Investors who succeed in a claim may recover their investment losses along with interest, and in some cases attorney fees as well. The specific recovery available to you depends on the facts of your case and the claims your attorney is able to bring.