Colorado investment and securities fraud attorney Robert Wayne Pearce and his team at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce P.A., has extensive experience representing investors and organizations in securities arbitrations through FINRA in the State of Colorado.
Have you fallen victim to investment fraud? Are you looking for an experienced attorney to help you fight for the compensation you deserve?
You need an investment fraud lawyer who is dedicated to protecting your rights as a Colorado-based investor.
Oftentimes victims of investment fraud, blame themselves for not doing enough research, reacting emotionally, not insisting that their portfolios be diversified, not having any particular investment goals, not understanding your particular risk tolerance, only looking for a short term returns, and not paying attention to fees. Fraudsters and stockbrokers taking advantage of clients count on those faults of too many people to take advantage of them take their money.
We recognize the distress and aggravation that accompanies falling prey to investment fraud. Our team is committed to guiding you through the legal journey and ensuring those at fault are held to account.
Since 1980, Robert Wayne Pearce has dedicated his career to supporting investors, and alongside his team, they have successfully secured over $170 million in settlements and judgments for their clients over the past two decades, since they began recording these achievements. Explore client testimonials to see their impact. Their expertise spans across all forms of securities fraud, leveraging legal strategies from federal to Colorado state laws relevant to investment fraud cases. Protect your financial future from the impacts of investment fraud—reach out to the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. through our rapid-response form or by calling (800) 732-2889.
What Exactly is Investment Fraud and Securities Fraud?
Investment fraud, often referred to as securities fraud, is characterized by the use of deceitful tactics, such as the dissemination of false or misleading information, to influence investors’ decisions, leading to significant financial losses. Unscrupulous brokers might go as far as directly stealing funds or securities from investors.
Some of the biggest investment frauds where many investors were affected include:
- Bernard Ebbers’ fraudulent activities, which involved manipulating WorldCom’s accounting practices to artificially boost profits, lured investors into his companies and resulted in losses exceeding $100 billion.
- Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling orchestrated a $74 billion scheme involving securities fraud and conspiracy, which included accounting fraud and misleading financial maneuvers to falsely enhance company revenues, hide debts, and manipulate energy markets, all to project an illusion of profitability.
- Bernie Madoff executed one of the most extensive Ponzi schemes in history, which lasted for several decades. He enticed investors to entrust millions of dollars to his brokerage and advisory firms, promising them steady, high returns under the guise of employing a split-strike conversion strategy. However, in truth, he merely used the capital from new investors to pay returns to earlier ones without making any real investments. This classic Ponzi scheme resulted in losses exceeding $65 billion.
All forms of investment fraud aim to deceive investors into taking actions that benefit the perpetrator financially. This may include schemes like Ponzi schemes, pump-and-dump schemes, or the sale of unregistered securities. Securities fraud is an illegal or unethical activity punishable by law.
“Did you know that in the first quarter of 2023, The FTC has reported nearly 50,000 individual cases of investor fraud with an estimated $1.9 Billion in total losses?”
Brokers, broker-dealers, and investment advisers frequently promote novel and sophisticated investment products to generate high commissions and profits, often without considering whether their clients can withstand the potential losses. These intricate investment options and tactics, appropriate for only a minority of investors who are ready to embrace substantial risks, can also serve to hide excessive trading and risk exposure within accounts. In some scenarios, an investor might be convinced by their broker to allocate a large share of their retirement funds into a high-risk, non-liquid investment. The broker minimizes the risks and overstates the potential gains, urging the investor to decide swiftly. When the investment does not pan out, it results in considerable financial setbacks for the investor.
Real Life Scam In Colorado:
One the biggest frauds originating in Colorado are perpetrated by Greg Lindberg and the Colorado Bankers Life Insurance Company and the Bankers Life Insurance Company, which are currently been placed into liquidation by court order. These companies were involved in the offer and sale of annuities and annuity like investments in Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda), PB Investment Holdings, and others. Many brokerage firms participated in these scams without doing adequate due diligence, a responsibility many investors depend on their stockbrokers to do for them.
When you first hired your broker-dealer, it’s likely that you trusted them to put your best interests first. Unfortunately, many brokers and financial advisors don’t live up to their fiduciary duty or have committed outright securities fraud. They might mislead you about investments, conceal risks, engage in excessive trading (churning) to generate commissions, or overcharge you with hidden fees.
Investment Losses? We Can Help
Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.
or, give us a ring at (800) 732-2889.
Colorado and Federal Laws That Protect Investors
Colorado investors benefit from a robust framework of protections designed to ensure fair and transparent markets. These safeguards include:
- Key Laws and Regulations
- Colorado Securities Act: The cornerstone of Colorado investor protection, this law combats fraud, mandates the registration of most securities, and provides avenues for investors to seek recourse if they’ve been misled.
- Colorado Business Corporations Act: This outlines shareholder rights and the responsibilities of company leaders, aiming to ensure that corporations act in the shareholders’ best interests.
- Colorado Deceptive Sales & Business Practices Act (DSBA): This broad law empowers investors to take action against unfair or deceptive investment practices.
- Governing Agencies
- Colorado State Securities Board: This agency is the primary watchdog for the Colorado securities industry. They register offerings, license brokers, investigate misconduct, and educate investors about their rights.
- Office of the Colorado Attorney General (Consumer Protection Division): Focused on consumer protection, this office can intervene in cases of investment fraud or other deceptive practices that harm Colorado investors.
- National Regulatory Bodies
- FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority): FINRA oversees all broker-dealers in the US, setting ethical standards, enforcing securities laws, and providing investor education resources. They work alongside the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) for broad investor protection.
Useful Resources
- Colorado State Securities Board: https://securities.colorado.gov/
- Office of the Colorado Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: https://coag.gov/office-sections/consumer-protection/
- FINRA: https://www.finra.org/
- The SEC – https://www.sec.gov/
How our Colorado Securities Law Attorneys Can Help You
Yes, investment losses are a part of investing, but when brokers commit fraud, they can be held legally responsible. If you believe you have been a victim of investment fraud, it is important to contact an investment fraud lawyer with experience handling these types of cases. Regulatory bodies like the SEC or FINRA might also need to be alerted to potential market manipulation or insider trading.
The quicker you take action, the better your odds of securing compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we’ve assisted numerous investors in recouping their losses stemming from investment fraud. Our approach involves a comprehensive examination of your case to reveal any instances of misrepresentation or fraud, and we’re committed to advocating for your rights to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you’re entitled to.
If you have lost money due to negligence or fraud by a stockbroker or advisor, the easiest way to know if you have a case is to call our office at 800-732-2889. Here’s how our knowledgeable and experienced investment fraud law firm can advocate for you:
- Represent & Advise: We’ll stand as your legal representative, advising you on your rights and options throughout the process.
- Investigate & Analyze: We’ll thoroughly investigate your case, meticulously analyzing financial documents and potential fraudulent schemes to uncover evidence of wrongdoing.
- Identify Liable Parties: We’ll work strategically to identify all potentially liable parties, including brokers, financial advisors, and financial institutions.
- File Complaints & Lawsuits: We’ll file formal complaints with regulatory agencies (such as the SEC or FINRA) and, when necessary, initiate lawsuits to protect your interests.
- Litigate & Negotiate: We are skilled litigators ready to fight aggressively for you in court or arbitration. Additionally, we’ll negotiate tirelessly to secure the most favorable settlement possible.
- Recover Losses: Our ultimate goal is to recover your financial losses and protect you from further harm. We are results-driven and committed to achieving the maximum financial recovery you deserve.
Can I Recover my Investment Losses?
In order to recover your investment losses, you must prove that your broker-dealer or financial advisor violated the federal or state securities statutes, committed fraud, breached their fiduciary duty to you as an investor or the brokerage firm was negligent in hiring and supervising the stockbroker, you have been dealing with for years.
In most cases, this means filing a FINRA arbitration claim against the broker-dealer and/or representative.
The majority of securities fraud cases are handled by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) rather than being brought to the court system.
FINRA arbitration offers a simplified and economical solution for resolving conflicts between investors and their brokers, bypassing the need for court proceedings. It also provides the opportunity to obtain punitive damages, an option not available in civil courts.
As an investor, you have certain rights that must be respected and protected.
We’re currently investigating several financial firms and stockbrokers who may have been the subject of customer complaints, may be facing legal action, and who may have acted unethically and committed fraud in Colorado, including:
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/bruce-larsen-forta-financial-group/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/charles-davis-allstate-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/eric-johnson-raymond-james-and-associates/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/michael-speer-cambridge-investment-research/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/morey-perlmutter-ubs-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/nicholas-alencewicz-fidelity-brokerage-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/randall-minas-stifel-nicolaus-and-co/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/robert-ryan-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/robert-campbell-weild-and-co/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/king-cavalier-raymond-james-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/robert-burns-cetera-advisor-network/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/edward-speas-centaurus-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/ann-werts-madison-avenue-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/john-hoffman-charles-schwab/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/terri-fassi-centaurus-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/john-buckingham-forta-financial-group/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/brent-espinoza-mwa-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jason-mcbride-forta-financial-group/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/gary-mcdaniel-fidelity-brokerage-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/dennis-mcmillan-arete-wealth-management-2/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/michael-pasquariello-ubs-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/richard-peace-fsc-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/david-provolt-fidelity-brokerage-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/robert-stanlick-geneos-wealth-management/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/herbert-white-woodbury-financial-services/
Some of our Lawyer’s Success Stories Include:
FINRA ARBITRATION SETTLEMENT $8,214,596
In this FINRA Arbitration, Texas residents settled for $8,214,596 after alleging that their financial advisor, affiliated with a prominent investment bank, misrepresented, and failed to fully disclose the risks associated with a highly leveraged credit spread strategy. They claimed the advisor inappropriately concentrated all their assets into this unsuitable strategy, leaving their account overleveraged and susceptible to significant security liquidations at greatly reduced prices to cover margin calls in March 2020. The settlement was reached before the arbitration hearing in January 2022.
FEDERAL COURT FINAL JUDGMENT $21,041,285
Case No. 1:10-cv-21444-KMM
College Health and Investment, Ltd. v Esther Spero
This Final Judgment was entered against the defendant for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and civil theft pursuant to Sections 812.014 and 772.11, Florida statutes in 2010.
FINRA ARBITRATION SETTLEMENT $3,350,000
In this case settled for $3,350,000 in a FINRA Arbitration, investors from Puerto Rico argued that their local broker-dealer excessively concentrated and overleveraged their investments in Puerto Rico municipal bonds. Moreover, they accused the broker-dealer of advising them to maintain these positions despite being aware of the risky market conditions. The settlement was reached just before the scheduled arbitration hearing in 2018.
Did You Know . . . Investment Fraud Attorney Robert Pearce Has Single-Handedly Collected Over $170 Million On Behalf of His Clients?
Over the past two decades, Robert Pearce has successfully secured more than $170 million in recovery for his investor clients. Remarkably, he has achieved fund recovery for over 99% of his clients, utilizing a variety of methods such as settlements, arbitrations, and litigation in court.
No investment fraud firm can ever guarantee the same or similar results in any given case. However, when you hire the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., you can sleep well knowing you are in qualified and capable hands. Attorney Robert Pearce has represented hundreds of investors over his 40 year career and in the last 20 years alone recovered over $170 million for his investor clients.
Robert Pearce will fight for your rights day in and day out to get you the recovery you are entitled to.
What Can an Investment Fraud Lawyer Do for Investors?
What Can an Investment Fraud Lawyer Do for Investors?
An investment fraud lawyer helps investors recover investment losses that they lost due to a financial advisor or broker who did not act in their best interest. Typically, the lawyer will help the investor recover their losses through a process called FINRA arbitration.
Investment Losses? Let’s talk.or, give us a ring at 800-732-2889.
Client Testimonials
What is the Cost to Hire a Securities Attorney?
To understand the fees associated with hiring a securities attorney, please contact us. The call is complimentary at 1-800-732-2889, and it includes an initial consultation with a securities lawyer. In this consultation, the attorney will gather information and request documents to evaluate your case and provide an assessment of its viability. Should both you and the attorney agree to proceed, you will usually be asked to enter into a contingency fee agreement.
A contingency fee agreement means that you will only have to pay the lawyer if he or she is successful in recovering money on your behalf. The contingency fee is generally a percentage of the total recovery obtained from the brokerage firm or stockbroker. The percentage ranges and depends upon the size of the case, the merits of your claim, and collectibility of the brokerage firm or stockbroker. If the lawyer is not successful, you will not owe any legal fees.
What Are the Statute of Limitations?
Time is of the essence when it comes to investment fraud cases. Both Colorado and federal laws have statutes of limitations that set deadlines for filing legal claims. In Colorado, the statute of limitations for securities fraud is generally five years from the commission of the offense. Federally, the statute of limitations for securities fraud cases is typically five years from the date of the violation or two years from the date the fraud should have been discovered. Breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract claims must be brought within 3 years and Colorado. It’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate time frame.
Types of Investment and Securities Fraud Cases We Can Help Represent You With
There are a variety of investment fraud tactics that unscrupulous brokers and advisors may use.
Our firm has represented investors who have fallen victim to a wide range of investment fraud tactics, including:
- Unsuitable Investments: Recommendations not aligned with the investor’s needs.
- Forced liquidation (forced selling): Broker sold without warning client or advising on margin calls.
- Ponzi Scheme Fraud: Fraudulent investment operation promising high returns.
- Excessive Trading (Churning): Excessive transactions to generate advisor commissions.
- Misrepresentation & Omission: Deceptive or misleading information about investments.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Prioritizing advisor interests over the client’s best interests.
- Unauthorized Trading: Executing trades without client permission.
- Failure to Supervise: Brokerage firms not adequately monitoring advisors.
- Overconcentration or lack of diversification: Holding too much of a single investment, increasing risk.
- Theft or Misappropriation of client funds: Brokers stealing money for their own personal use.
- Mutual Fund Sales Violations: Recommending unsuitable mutual funds or excessive switching.
- Excessive Markups/Markdowns: Inflated prices when buying/selling securities.
- Selling Away: The advisor sells unapproved investments outside the firm.
- Broker & Advisor Negligence: Failure to adhere to industry standards.
- Margin Abuse: Encouraging excessive margin use, leading to high risks.
- Conflicts of Interest: Prioritizing advisor/firm profits over client interests.
- Private Placements: Selling risky, non-registered securities.
- Cryptocurrency Fraud: Deceitful schemes related to digital currencies.
- 401(k) Plan Misconduct: Fiduciary breaches affecting retirement plans.
- Microcap Fraud: Manipulation of stocks of small companies.
- Mining and Mineral Investment Fraud: Schemes involving fictitious investments in mining or minerals.
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Fraud: Scams related to obtaining visas through investment.
- Advance Fee Schemes: Asking for upfront fees in exchange for non-existent investments.
- Including many more that we can’t fit on this list.
Contact a Colorado Securities and Investment Fraud Attorney Today
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., is a law firm specializing in representing defrauded investors recover. Colorado investment fraud lawyer Robert Wayne Pearce specializes in getting individuals their money back from bad investments using any and all available methods.
If you are an investor who has recently dealt with investment loss due to potential securities or investment fraud, we want to help.
If you have questions about how to move forward, contact our team online or by phone at 561-338-0037 for a free confidential consultation with a Colorado securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.
Our law firm works with clients in Denver, Fort Collins. Aurora. Colorado Springs, Lakewood, Pueblo, Arvada, Greeley, Thornton, Westminster, and throughout the state of Colorado. Robert Wayne Pearce has decades of first-hand experience in FINRA securities arbitration, and is one of the preeminent experts in this matter both nationwide and internationally.