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MML Investors Services, LLC (“MML Investors”) (CRD# 10409) has many different complaints filed by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), state regulatory organizations, and investors such as yourself. At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, we have investigated MML Investors, its regulatory and customer complaints, and have also represented investors with claims of fraud, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty against this organization and its financial advisors.

If you believe you have a claim against MML Investors, you should strongly consider hiring an investment fraud lawyer. You should not wait until it’s too late to file a claim. The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., offers free consultations. Give us a call at 800-732-2889. Let’s discuss your case and see what we can do to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.

Can I Sue MML Investors Services, LLC?

If you’ve lost money caused by MML Investors and/or its employees’ misconduct then the answer is, YES,  you can sue MML Investors but the odds are you signed away your right to sue in court and agreed to resolve your dispute in a FINRA arbitration proceeding.  Attorney Robert Wayne Pearce has over 40 years of personal experience in FINRA arbitration proceedings and knows very well how you can not only sue MML Investors in FINRA arbitration proceedings, but WIN that arbitration. The easiest way to know if you have a viable case against MML Investors is to call Attorney Pearce at our office at 800-732-2889.

Investment Losses? We Can Help

Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.

Get A Free Consultation

or, give us a ring at (800) 732-2889.

Robert Pearce

What is MML Investors Services, LLC?

MML Investors (CRD# 10409) was first registered as a securities broker-dealer in 1982 with the SEC and FINRA.  Since then, there have been several name changes and restructuring of the company, which is now controlled by MassMutual Life Insurance Company and headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts with branch offices throughout the United States Its independent broker-dealer Business Model has grown through acquisition and organic development of primarily one and two person life insurance agent and securities registered representative offices supervised remotely. Today there are over 1500 MML Investors branch offices with over 8500 registered representatives in every state.  It is now one of the largest broker-dealer and investment advisory firms in the United States.

MML Investors Services, LLC Has Many Different Regulatory Problems 

MML Investors’ rapid growth has not been without consequences. There have been approximately 8 state and self-regulatory body disclosure events; that is, final and formal proceedings initiated by a regulatory authority (e.g., a state or federal securities agency like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or self-regulatory body like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) ) for a violation(s) of investment-related rules or regulations. In addition, there have been hundreds of customer complaints filed against MML Investors for misconduct by its securities sales and investment advisory representatives that are not reported by the firm on its Central Depository Record. 

We have reported and written about these regulatory problems and customer complaints over many years. MML Investors is a repeat offender: there are over 9 FINRA reported disciplinary proceedings citing the firm with one form of supervisory lapses or another.

A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE REGULATORY PROBLEMS MML INVESTORS SERVICES, LLC HAS FACED OVER THE YEARS*

MML Investors has been repeatedly censured, warned, and fined over $1 million for its own misconduct and failure to supervise its army of financial advisors.* A few of the notable FINRA Sanctions for its Supervisory Failures are below:

FINRA Sanctions MML Investors For Not Safeguarding Confidential Customer Information

A recent FINRA investigation revealed that MML Investors failed to prevent certain registered and associated persons who had been terminated from the Firm from continuing to access customer records and information, including nonpublic personal information, in violation of the SEC’s Regulation S-P: Privacy of Consumer Financial Information and Safeguarding Personal Information (“Regulation S-P”) and FINRA Rule 2010.  MML Investors was censured and fined $75,000 for not safeguarding the confidential customer information. 

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FINRA Sanctions MML Investors For Not Preserving Electronic Brokerage Records

FINRA investigated and discovered MML Investors failed to maintain approximately 2,400,000 electronic brokerage records in non-erasable and non-rewritable format, known as WORM format, as required by Section 17(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), Rule 17a-4(f) promulgated thereunder, NASD Rule 3110 and FINRA Rule 4511. WORM stands for “write once, read many,” and is intended to prevent the alteration or destruction of broker-dealer records stored electronically. During the relevant period, the MML Investors also experienced related notice, audit and attestation deficiencies affecting the ability to adequately retain and preserve electronic records, in violation of Exchange Act Rule 17a-4(f), NASD Rules 3110 and FINRA Rule 4511. Finally, the Firms failed to enforce written supervisory procedures relating to compliance with the WORM requirement, in violation of NASD Rule 3010(b) and FINRA Rule 3110(b).  As a result, FINRA censured and fined MML Investors $750,000. 

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FINRA Sanctions MML Investors For Cheating Charities Making Mutual Fund Investments

During one of FINRAs investigations of MML Investors it discovered that the brokerage firm disadvantaged certain retirement plan and charitable organization customers that were eligible to purchase Class A shares in certain mutual funds without a front-end sales charge (“Eligible Customers”). These Eligible Customers were instead sold Class A shares with a front-end sales charge or Class B or C shares with back-end sales charges and higher ongoing fees and expenses.  The reason, according to FINRA, was MML Investors failed to establish and maintain a supervisory system and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that Eligible Customers who purchased mutual fund shares received the benefit of applicable sales charge waivers. As a result, FINRA concluded MML Investors violated NASD Conduct Rule 3010, FINRA Rule 3110, and FINRA Rule 2010, censured the broker-dealer and ordered a remediation and compensation to Eligible Customers who were qualified, but did not receive mutual fund sales charge waivers. 

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FINRA Sanctions MML Investors For Not Amending Stockbroker Records

MML Investors failed to file timely Forms U5 and amendments to Forms U4 and U5. The firm also failed to establish and maintain a supervisory system and establish, maintain and enforce written supervisory procedures that were reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the reporting requirements Rules 3010 and 2110 and FINRA Rule 2010 for which FINRA censured and fined the firm $300,000.  

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FINRA Sanctions MML Investors For Unapproved Private Securities Transactions

FINRA investigated and discovered that MML Investors violated NASD Rules 3010(a) and 2110 by failing to reasonably supervise its registered representatives in connection with their unapproved sale of certain private securities. The broker-dealer’s written supervisory procedures (“WSPs”) stated that its financial advisors were prohibited from participating in private securities transactions without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer or his or her delegate. Despite this prohibition, and numerous red flags described below indicating that the broker-dealers registered representatives were engaged in selling away, MML Investors did not reasonably monitor for or review these indications to determine whether unapproved private securities transactions were occurring at MML Investors. As a result of the MML Investors’ supervisory failures, certain financial advisors at one branch office located in Utah recommended unapproved promissory notes to investors to investors who sustained losses of up to $760,000 when the issuers of these promissory notes discontinued interest payments. The issuer of these unapproved promissory notes was was later determined to be engaged in a multimillion dollar Ponzi scheme.  FINRA censured and fined MML Investors $125,000, ordered restitution in the amount of $760,000. 

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FINRA Sanctions MML Investors For Mutual Fund Sales Abuse

During one of FINRAs investigations, it discovered that MML Investors registered representatives had made thousands of unsuitable recommendations of Class B shares of mutual funds and that the firm had no supervisory procedures in place to make sure that clients received the opportunity to purchase Class A shares of mutual funds at net asset value and avoid sales charges.  Specifically, FINRA found MML Investors effected transactions where it made recommendations to clients to purchase Class B shares through its registered representatives. In connection with its recommendations, MML Investors did not consider on a consistent basis, that an equal investment in Class A shares would generally have been more advantageous for certain clients. Accordingly, MML Investors will undertake a remediation plan that includes more than 5,200 transactions involving at least 447 client households for which it was censured and fined $473,000 and ordered to compensate investors in connection with the 5,200 transactions. 

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*Above are only some of the regulatory disciplinary actions filed against MML Investors by FINRA. NASSA and other state securities regulator investigations and enforcement actions account for another 11 BrokerCheck disclosures.

MML Investors Services Customer Complaints

There have been scores of customer complaints filed against MML Investors Services stockbrokers and investment advisors over the years. We have launched many investigations of current and former MML Investors Services advisors:

  1. Daniel Lauletta of MML Investors Services, LLC
  2. Christopher Fallon of MML Investors Services, LLC
  3. Preston Bellaire of MML Investors Services
  4. Harry Carroll of MML Investors Services
  5. Eric Tom of MML Investors Services
  6. Robert Friedmar of MML Investors Services
  7. David Harris formerly with MML Investors Services
  8. Gerald Bye of MML Investors Services
  9. James Brocke of MML Investors Services, LLC
  10. Jason Champion of MML Investors Services, LLC
  11. Daniel Cunningham of MML Investors Services
  12. Timothy Danahy of MML Investors Services
  13. Alan Bednarchik Of MML Investors Services, LLC
  14. Alan Silverman of MML Investors Services, LLC
  15. Andrew Schwartz of Hightower Securities, LLC
  16. Anthony Cancela of NYLIFE Securities LLC
  17. Elaine Roumillat of MML Investors Services
  18. William Schulte Formerly With MML Investors Services
  19. Carlos Temperan of MML Investors Services
  20. Charles Evans of MML Investors
  21. Tyler Tutino of MML Investors Services
  22. William Wyrozub of MML Investors Services
  23. Dmitriy Yankelevich of MML Investors Services
  24. Adam Belardino of MML Investors Services, LLC
  25. Kevin Dicke Formerly With MML Investors Services
  26. Bradley Everett Formerly With MML Investors Services
  27. Craig Farr Formerly With MML Investors Services
  28. Patrick Foley of MML Investors Services
  29. Chris Kim of MML Investors Services
  30. Adam Laakko Formerly With MML Investors Services
  31. Daniel Lamego of MML Investors Services
  32. Hui Liu of MML Investors Services
  33. George Teng of MML Investors Services
  34. Teresa Partain formerly with MML Investors Services
  35. Simon Reyes Of MML Investors Services
  36. Rona Rosenberg formerly with MML Investors Services
  37. Rodney Boelter of MML Investors Services
  38. Javid Jaraiedi of MML Investors Services
  39. Gary Jones of MML Investors Services
  40. Michael Burgess of MML Investors Services
  41. John Chanda of MML Investors Services
  42. Jason Champion of MML Investors Services
  43. Jeffrey Chipper of MML Investors Services
  44. Barbara Koppelkiernan of MML Investors Services
  45. Jon Ewing of MML Investors Services
  46. Michael Hanrahan of MML Investors Services
  47. Lawrence Myers of MML Investors Services
  48. Curtis Neuman of MML Investors Services
  49. Jay Petty of MML Investors Services
  50. Tadas Petkevicius of MML Investors Services
  51. Justin Phillips Formerly With MML Investors Services
  52. Emilio Rivera of MML Investors Services
  53. Michael Root of MML Investors Services
  54. Sandra Scanni of MML Investors Services
  55. Chester Sobuta of MML Investors Services
  56. Kevin Stokesbary of MML Investors Services
  57. Troy Sheets of MML Investors Services
  58. Brian Segel of MML Investors Services
  59. Ruth Simons of MML Investors Services
  60. Elizabeth Sloan of MML Investors Services
  61. Li Wang of MML Investors Services
  62. Thomas Wieczerak of MML Investors Services
  63. Mark Wolpert of MML Investors Services
  64. Wilberto Blasquez of MML Investors Services
  65. Jeffrey Burgess of MML Investors Services
  66. Joshua Von Steinfeld of MML Investors Services
  67. Charlie Williams of MML Investors Services, LLC
  68. Bruce Ward of Cutter & Company, Inc.
  69. Alisha Bush of MML Investors Services, LLC
  70. Andrew Kirwin of MML Investors Services, LLC
  71. Alberto Boulton of Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  72. Amanda Berry formerly with MML Investors Services, LLC
  73. Christopher Pitera Of MML Investors Service
  74. Christopher Robinette of MML Investors Services, LLC
  75. Claudio Gambin of MML Investors Services, LLC
  76. Cliff Duester of MML Investors Services LLC
  77. Dustin Tuthill formerly with MML Investors Services, LLC
  78. Floyd Powell formerly with MML Investors Services, LLC
  79. Forrest Jones formerly with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  80. George Lambrix, Jr. of MML Investors Services, LLC
  81. Hugo Hietapelto of MML Investors Services, LLC
  82. Jerry Wade of MML Investors Services, LLC
  83. John Murphy of MML Investors Services, LLC
  84. Jongsik Kim of MML Investors Services, LLC
  85. Joshua Plank of MML Investors Services, LLC
  86. Kenneth Conway of MML Investors Services, LLC
  87. Mark Pearcy of MML Investors Services, LLC
  88. Matthew Bailey of MML Investors Services, LLC
  89. Michael Nigro of MML Investors Services, LLC
  90. Michael Koziol of MML Investors Services, LLC
  91. Patrick Pilla of MML Investors Services, LLC
  92. Peter Cassell of MML Investors Services, LLC
  93. Robert Dunbar formerly with MML Investors Services LLC
  94. Robert Prins of Edward Jones
  95. Sudesh Jain of MML Investors Services, LLC
  96. Tawnya Schwartz formerly with MML Investors Services, LLC
  97. William Stephenson of P.J. Robb Variable, LLC
  98. William Franklin of MML Investors Services, LLC
  99. Winsome Goodale of MML Investors Services, LLC
  100. Yuda Jiang of MML Investors Services, LLC
  101. Zvi Rosenzweig of MML Investors Services, LLC
  102. Victor Aponte-Echevarria of Cetera Advisor Networks LLC
  103. Matthew Delpriore of MML Investors Services, LLC
  104. Jeremy Dicker of Park Avenue Securities LLC
  105. Charles Dowds, III of MML Investors Services, LLC
  106. Andrzej Dudus of MML Investors Services, LLC
  107. Taylor Hoskins of Sagepoint Financial, Inc.
  108. Matthew Loverine of Sagepoint Financial, Inc.
  109. Joshua Baker of MML Investors Services, LLC
  110. Theodore Manzanares of Pruco Securities, LLC
  111. Robert Masanotti of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
  112. Garrett Mayhart of MML Investors Services, LLC
  113. Stanley Minka, Jr. of MML Investors Services, LLC
  114. Anh Nguyen of MML Investors Services, LLC
  115. Ryan Oestreich of MML Investors Services, LLC
  116. Scott Embree of Osaic Wealth, Inc.
  117. Helen Smith of MML Investors Services, LLC
  118. Stephanie Trentowski of MML Investors Services, LLC
  119. James Unger of MML Investors Services, LLC
  120. Michael Yoon of MML Investors Services, LLC
  121. Cheryl Richardson of MML Investors Services, LLC
  122. Sammy Sayed of MML Investors Services, LLC
  123.  Gregory Stein of MML Investors Services, LLC
  124. Darien Bonney formerly with MML Investors Services, LLC
  125. Christopher Kelly of MML Investors Services, LLC
  126. Michael McKnight of MML Investors Services, LLC
  127. Tyler Camp of MML Investors Services, LLC
  128. Russell Demarest of MML Investors Services, LLC
  129. Christopher Scoffone of MML Investors Services LLC
  130. Guillermo Machuca of First Southern, LLC
  131. Who is Ryan Solma of MML Investors Services, LLC
  132. Edgar Kleydman of MML Investors Services, LLC
  133. Alvin Kingcade, Sr. of MML Investors Services, LLC
  134. Robert Ruff of MML Investors Services, LLC
  135. Adam Belardino formerly with MML Investors Services, LLC
  136. Michael Leonard of MML Investors Services, LL
  137. Amanda Matthews of MML Investors Services, LLC
  138. Jason Heller of MML Investors Services, LLC
  139. John Kashmanian of MML Investors Services, LLC
  140. Lien Nguyen of MML Investors Services, LLC
  141. Steven Abraham of Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC
  142. Edward Sunter of MML Investors Services, LLC
  143. Shon McLain MML Investors Services, LLC
  144.  Katherine McLernon of MML Investors Services, LLC
  145. James Vavonese of MML Investors Services, LLC

If you have lost money investing with any of these MML Investors Services advisors or others within this brokerage firm, it’s important that you reach out to an investment loss attorney quickly because the statutes of limitations can bar your claims. Call us at 800-732-2889.

Why Does MML Investors Services, LLC Have So Many Regulatory Problems And Customer Complaints?

Independent broker-dealers are notorious for their lax supervisory practices and procedures. The business model of these franchise type operations is to open many offices nationwide for steady growth of fixed monthly revenues without the costs attendant to a full-service branch office with on-site manager, compliance officer and operation personnel. The registered representatives of these independent broker-dealers generally operate as separately incorporated businesses. They are not employees of the broker-dealer and therefore not controlled in the same manner as full-service brokerage firm representatives. The registered representatives control their structure and costs to maximize profits and often leave the protection of investors’ rights and interests as their lowest priority.

The typical supervisory organization of independent broker-dealer operations is to have other independent contractors operate Offices of Supervisory Jurisdiction (OSJs) to monitor the registered representatives from geographically remote offices and then report to the main franchisor’s compliance office at national headquarters. The supervisors at the OSJs are not employees of the franchisor and often run their own brokerage, insurance and other businesses. They are not devoted full-time supervisors of the smaller branch offices. Consequently, OSJ managers cannot and do not supervise the day-to-day operations of the registered representatives of these Independent broker-dealers. 

Generally, there is no immediate review of new accounts opened, securities transactions, business records, cash or securities receipts and deliveries, correspondence and business activities unrelated to the securities brokerage operation at these independent brokerage firms. The lax supervision leaves investors who have transferred their accounts to the smaller independent broker-dealer vulnerable to sales of securities that have not been reviewed or authorized by anyone other than the sales representative earning a commission. There may be no one onsite to detect forgeries of clients’ signatures on documents, the placement of inaccurate information about a client’s investment objectives and financial condition to document the suitability of a particular investment recommendation. Oftentimes there is no daily review of sales literature and client correspondence to protect against misrepresentations and misleading statements being made to investors. In fact, it is not unusual for there to be only one compliance audit visit per year at many of these offices.

These Independent brokerage business operations are worrisome to the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), which has documented more instances of sales abuse and consequently investor losses at these firms than the traditional brokerage firms with branch offices with on-site managers and compliance personnel.

Did MML Investors Services, LLC Advisor Misconduct Cause You Investment Losses?

When financial advisor misconduct has caused you to lose substantial value to your investment accounts, you have the right to seek reimbursement from the responsible parties. MML Investors is responsible like any employer for its financial advisors acts and omissions. In addition, it has an independent duty to supervise its stockbrokers and investment advisors. These cases can be extremely complex, and so having the support of a reputable attorney who is experienced in recovering investment losses for investors is key to your success. Many customers make the mistake of contacting MML Investors without representation with an attorney about their complaints and have their complaints denied.

Related Read: Can You Sue Your Brokerage Firm?

Investment Losses? We Can Help

Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.

Get A Free Consultation

or, give us a ring at (800) 732-2889.

Robert Pearce

Consult With An Attorney Who Recovers Investment Losses Caused By MML Investors Services, LLC Today!

The securities attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., have helped countless investors over the last 40 years recover the losses from their investment accounts that were caused by broker negligence or misconduct. The firm has extensive experience with MML Investors cases, and Attorney Pearce is committed to seeing that those responsible for the losses you have suffered are held fully accountable.

Give us a call at 800-732-2889. Let’s discuss your case and see what we can do to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.

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Robert Wayne Pearce

Robert Wayne Pearce of The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has been a trial attorney for more than 40 years and has helped recover over $170 million dollars for his clients. During that time, he developed a well-respected and highly accomplished legal career representing investors and brokers in disputes with one another and the government and industry regulators. To speak with Attorney Pearce, call (800) 732-2889 or Contact Us online for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with Attorney Pearce about your case.

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