Marco Bartolo Azizi (CRD# 2154719) is a registered broker and investment adviser currently with Centaurus Financial, Inc. in San Jose, California. Our firm is investigating whether customers of Mr. Azizi may have suffered investment losses due to allegedly unsuitable, high-risk, speculative, and illiquid investment recommendations and related sales practice violations reported in multiple FINRA customer dispute disclosures.
Financial Advisor’s Career History
According to FINRA BrokerCheck, Marco Bartolo Azizi has been registered in the securities industry since 1991. He is currently registered with Centaurus Financial, Inc. (CRD# 30833), headquartered in Anaheim, California, and working from a branch office in San Jose, California, where he has been registered since July 20, 2016.
His prior registrations include:
- Cetera Investment Advisers LLC (CRD# 105644), San Jose, CA (2015–2016)
- Summit Brokerage Services, Inc. (CRD# 34643), San Jose, CA (2015–2016)
- J.P. Turner & Company, L.L.C. (CRD# 43177), San Jose, CA (2002–2015)
- J.P. Turner & Company Capital Management, LLC (CRD# 124446), San Jose, CA (investment advisory)
- Global Capital Securities Corporation (CRD# 16184), Englewood, CO (1993–2002)
- Kober Financial Corp. (CRD# 17551), Englewood, CO (1992–1993)
- J.W. Gant & Associates, Inc. (CRD# 7963) (1991–1992)
Mr. Azizi has passed the Series 7, Series 24, SIE, and state law exams and is licensed in multiple U.S. states and territories.
Marco Bartolo Azizi Fraud Allegations and Investor Complaints Explained
FINRA BrokerCheck discloses multiple customer disputes involving allegations that Mr. Azizi recommended unsuitable, high-risk, speculative, and illiquid investments—often in complex debt or real estate securities—and, in some instances, breached his fiduciary duty. These matters include settled claims, denied/closed claims, and at least one pending arbitration. Allegations are investment-related and, if proven, may implicate core suitability and supervisory standards designed to protect investors.
Key reported disclosures include (descriptions summarized from BrokerCheck; settlements may occur without any admission of liability):
- Customer Dispute – Pending (Centaurus Financial, Inc.)
- Allegations: Unsuitable, high-risk, illiquid debt investment; breach of fiduciary duty.
- Dates: Complaint received May 20, 2024; FINRA arbitration filed May 15, 2024 (Case No. 24-01048).
- Damages: Unspecified; Firm determined potential damages exceed $5,000.
- Status: Pending; Mr. Azizi denies wrongdoing.
- Customer Dispute – Settled (Centaurus Financial, Inc.)
- Allegations: Unsuitable, high-risk, speculative, illiquid corporate debt; breach of fiduciary duty.
- Damages Alleged: $100,000.
- FINRA Arbitration: Case No. 23-02270, filed August 24, 2023.
- Outcome: Settled April 8, 2024 for $44,000; BrokerCheck reports no monetary contribution by Mr. Azizi.
- Customer Dispute – Settled (J.P. Turner / Cetera / Summit)
- Allegations: 2014–2020 recommendations in high-commission, complex, risky, illiquid real estate securities.
- Damages Alleged: $350,000.
- FINRA Arbitration: Case No. 20-03410.
- Outcome: Settled August 1, 2022 for $10,000; BrokerCheck reports no individual contribution; Mr. Azizi dismissed.
- Customer Dispute – Settled (J.P. Turner & Co.)
- Allegations: 2012–2014 unsuitable, high-risk, illiquid real estate investments.
- Outcome: FINRA Arbitration Case No. 19-01990; settled April 27, 2021 for $30,000; Mr. Azizi reports he was not named and made no contribution.
- Customer Dispute – Denied (Summit Brokerage Services)
- Allegations: Unsuitable real estate securities and related issues (2018 complaint).
- Damages Alleged: At least $5,000.
- Outcome: Denied January 29, 2020.
- Customer Dispute – Denied (J.P. Turner & Company)
- Allegations: Unsuitability in corporate debt (Calpine bond).
- Damages Alleged: $33,199.54 (March 7, 2006 complaint).
- Outcome: Denied April 24, 2006.
- Customer Dispute – Denied (J.P. Turner & Company)
- Allegations: Misrepresentation and unsuitability in corporate bond (Calpine bond).
- Damages Alleged: $64,005 (January 5, 2006 complaint).
- Outcome: Denied April 24, 2006.
These disclosures collectively show a pattern of investor allegations focused on unsuitable, illiquid, and higher-risk products which, if substantiated, may violate industry rules requiring that brokers understand their customers’ profiles and recommend only suitable investments.
Investors should understand that pending and settled matters are not findings of liability against Mr. Azizi, and he vigorously denies wrongdoing in several disclosures. However, multiple disputes of a similar nature can be a red flag for customers who experienced losses in similar products or strategies.
To obtain a copy of Marco Bartolo Azizi’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, visit this link.
Robert Wayne Pearce Is Committed to Recovering Your Investment Losses
FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability) requires brokers to have a reasonable basis to believe that any recommended investment or strategy is suitable for the customer based on the customer’s investment profile, including age, financial situation, risk tolerance, objectives, liquidity needs, and experience. Allegations that Mr. Azizi recommended high-risk, speculative, and illiquid corporate debt and real estate securities to customers who may not have been appropriate for such products, if proven, could indicate violations of Rule 2111’s reasonable-basis and customer-specific suitability obligations. FINRA
FINRA Rule 2090 (Know Your Customer) requires firms and their associated persons to use reasonable diligence to know the essential facts concerning each customer and account in order to make appropriate recommendations and comply with applicable laws and rules. If the pending and prior claims involving allegedly unsuitable, complex, or illiquid investments stem from recommendations made without properly understanding customers’ financial circumstances, objectives, and risk tolerance, those allegations—if substantiated—may reflect failures to satisfy Rule 2090’s KYC obligations in conjunction with suitability duties. FINRA
FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor and Just and Equitable Principles of Trade) is a broad ethical rule requiring brokers and firms to conduct business with high standards of commercial honor and fair dealing. When customers allege patterns of unsuitable high-risk recommendations, inadequate risk disclosure, or disregard for fiduciary-like obligations, FINRA and arbitrators may view such conduct—if proven—as inconsistent with Rule 2010’s mandate, even absent a separate technical rule violation. Alleged misuse of complex, illiquid products or failure to place customers’ interests first can, if established, be sanctioned under this catch-all rule. FINRA
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. is a nationally recognized securities law firm representing investors in FINRA arbitration and securities fraud cases on a contingency fee basis. Robert Wayne Pearce, the founding attorney, has more than 45 years of experience recovering millions for victims of broker misconduct and investment fraud. He previously defended major brokerage firms and now uses that insight to protect investors nationwide. To discuss your case directly with Mr. Pearce, call (800) 732-2889 or email pearce@rwpearce.com for a free consultation.
