Georgia-based investment fraud attorney Robert Wayne Pearce at 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 Georgia.
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 Georgia-based investor.
Sadly we have been alerted to the rise of Affinity frauds here in Georgia perpetrated by financial advisors targeting members of different religious groups to give them a false sense of security about their motives, good intentions, and likelihood of success of their investment proposal. Many folks in Georgia have been lured in to investments by promises of unusually high returns or risk-free investments only to learn later, they were lured into or fraud. Georgia is no exception to the different types of fraud often perpetrated by high pressure tactics of unscrupulous financial advisors. To often, the victims feel that they were at fault for not doing a better job protecting themselves.
We recognize the challenges and distress that being a victim of investment fraud can cause, and we’re committed to guiding you through the legal journey to seek accountability from those at fault.
Since 1980, we have been devoted to helping investors and have successfully recovered over $170 million in settlements and verdicts on their behalf. View client testimonials here. We have experience handling all types of securities fraud cases and utilize all available legal avenues from the federal level to Georgia law as it applies to investment fraud cases. Don’t let investment fraud ruin your financial future – contact the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. today via our quick-response form, or call (800) 732-2889.
What is Investment Fraud and Securities Fraud?
Investment fraud is a term sometimes used interchangeably with securities fraud, and it involves using deceptive practices, including false or misleading information, to manipulate investors into making investment decisions that result in substantial losses. Dishonest brokers may even resort to outright theft of investor’s funds or securities.
Every type of investment fraud is designed to mislead investors into making decisions that financially advantage the fraudster. This encompasses tactics such as Ponzi schemes, pump-and-dump strategies, or selling unregistered securities. Engaging in securities fraud, an activity considered illegal or unethical, can result in legal consequences.
Just last month, John Jay Woods was sentenced to nearly 8 years in a Federal prison for operating a 13-year Ponzi scheme that victimized more than 400 investors in cause losses of over $49 million. Woods, while serving as a fiduciary, promise investors profitable returns, but use the monies he raised from new investors to pay Ponzi profits to earlier investors. He abused the trust of his victims, including retirees, seniors, military veterans, who lost their life savings and retirement accounts due to his greed. This was the so-called Horizon Private Equity fraud.
“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?”
A study published just last year stated that people from all over the nation of experienced financial fraud, but the scam is most common in Georgia. The statistic was 437 incidents of fraud per 100,000 Georgia residents. Georgia rank number 5 of the top 10 most financially scam states the United States in 2023.
Brokers, broker-dealers, and investment advisers often sell new and exotic investment products to earn high commissions and profits, regardless of whether their clients are prepared to handle potential losses. These complex investment products and strategies, which are suitable only for a small portion of investors willing to take significant risks, are sometimes used to obscure excessive trading and risk within accounts.
Example Scenario: A broker convinces an investor to allocate a substantial part of their retirement funds into a high-risk, illiquid investment, minimizing the dangers involved, overstating the potential gains, and urging a swift decision. Ultimately, the investment collapses, resulting in considerable financial losses for the investor.
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.
Georgia and Federal Laws That Protect Investors
Georgia investors benefit from a robust framework of protections designed to ensure fair and transparent markets. These safeguards include:
- Key Laws and Regulations
- Georgia Securities Act: The cornerstone of Georgia 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.
- Georgia Business Organizations Code: This outlines shareholder rights and the responsibilities of company leaders, aiming to ensure that corporations act in the shareholders’ best interests.
- Georgia Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA): This broad law empowers investors to take action against unfair or deceptive investment practices.
- Governing Agencies
- Georgia State Securities Board: This agency is the primary watchdog for the Georgia securities industry. They register offerings, license brokers, investigate misconduct, and educate investors about their rights.
- Office of the Georgia Attorney General (Consumer Protection Division): Focused on consumer protection, this office can intervene in cases of investment fraud or other deceptive practices that harm Georgia 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
- Georgia State Securities Board: https://sos.ga.gov/securities-division-georgia-secretary-states-office
- Office of the Georgia Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: https://consumer.georgia.gov/
- FINRA: https://www.finra.org/
- The SEC – https://www.sec.gov/
How our Georgia 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.
Taking swift action can significantly increase your likelihood of obtaining compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we have a track record of assisting numerous investors in recouping their losses from investment fraud. Our approach involves a comprehensive investigation of your case to expose any deceit or fraud, and we are dedicated to advocating for your right to justice and rightful compensation.
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 Georgia Securities Act by offering and selling securities for misrepresentations and misleading statements, fraudulent devices or schemes, breached their fiduciary duty to you as an investor or simply committed negligence in the management of your accounts.
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 is a streamlined, cost-effective way to resolve disputes between investors and their brokers without going to court – it also allows you to collect punitive damages.
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 Georgia, including:
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/john-holt-ameritas-investment/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/timothy-owens-cambridge-investment-research/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/joseph-hunt-merrill-lynch-pierce-fenner-smith/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/marc-korsch-arkadios-capital/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/zachary-morris-j-p-morgan-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/teresa-partain-mml-investors-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/archie-thompson-synovus-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/michael-williams-edward-jones/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/brent-lane-ubs-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/christopher-stewart-truist-investment-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/james-schwartz-joseph-gunnar-co/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/john-davis-allstate-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/joseph-mcguire-american-portfolios-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/laurence-wajsman-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/ralph-waller-woodbury-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/robert-patti-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/russell-pierce-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/ann-greene-oppenheimer-co/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/john-mason-truist-investment-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/stephen-smith-wells-fargo-clearing-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/wayne-rubinas-rbc-capital-markets-2/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/christiana-web-morgan-stanley/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/young-park-nylife-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/darryl-hall-cuso-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/joshua-eisenberg-northwestern-mutual-investment-services/
Some of our Lawyer’s Success Stories Include:
FINRA ARBITRATION SETTLEMENT $6,000,000
In this FINRA arbitration case against a prominent broker-dealer and its offshore subsidiary in the United States, the dispute centered on the excessive concentration of accounts in Puerto Rican municipal bonds and closed-end funds, along with inappropriate “hold” advice given by the broker-dealers under known risky market conditions. The case reached a settlement halfway through the arbitration process in 2017 for $6 million, despite the broker-dealers’ assertion that the clients’ accounts had seen millions in profits over several years.
FINRA ARBITRATION AWARD $2,554,896
Case Number [REDACTED]
[REDACTED] et al. v. [REDACTED] et al.
In April 2015, Mr. [REDACTED] became an investment advisor with discretionary authority over multiple accounts for his ex-wife, [REDACTED]. He immediately engaged in a highly leveraged overly concentrated and therefore unsuitable investment strategy which resulted in [REDACTED] losing millions of dollars in several months. The claims in this FINRA Arbitration were settled against two of the Respondents and went to hearing with the third Respondent, [REDACTED]. In September 2021, after 5 days of hearings, the arbitrators awarded Mrs. [REDACTED] $2,554,896.
PROBATE COURT SETTLEMENT $1,900,000
In this case before the Probate court, Attorney Pearce acted on behalf of multiple family members in a legal action against legal and financial experts, among others, accused of exerting undue influence on an elderly individual by transferring his investments and other assets before his passing. The lawsuit was resolved through mediation in 2007, with a settlement of $1.9 million.
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 recoveries for his investor clients. Impressively, he has managed to recover funds for over 99% of his investor clients utilizing various 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?
Our initial meeting with you, where you’ll speak with one of our securities attorneys, comes at no cost. In this session, the attorney will usually ask for your year-end and monthly account statements to assess your situation and provide an opinion on the strength of your case. Should you choose to proceed as an investor, we typically proceed on a contingency fee basis, which many investors prefer, especially when their assets have been significantly impacted by fraudulent activities. However, for those investors interested in hiring us on an hourly fee structure, we are open to this arrangement, offering reasonable rates that reflect the time and expertise we dedicate to your case.
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. In our contingency cases, our percentage fees vary depending upon the size your case and the degree of difficulty we foresee in recovering your losses. 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 Georgia and federal laws have statutes of limitations that set deadlines for filing legal claims. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for securities fraud is generally four years. Federally, the statute of limitations for securities fraud cases is also four years from the date of the violation. However, there is a tolling provision under Georgia law that states the period of limitation shall run only from the time of the plaintiff’s discovery of the fraud. 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 Georgia 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. Georgia 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 Georgia securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.
Our law firm works with clients in Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Athens, Macon, Augusta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Albany, Johns Creek, and throughout the state of Georgia. 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.