Michigan investment fraud attorney Robert Wayne Pearce 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 Michigan.
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 Michigan-based investor.
We recognize the distress and frustration that accompany falling prey to investment fraud. Our team is committed to guiding you through the legal journey and ensuring that those accountable are held responsible.
Since 1980, we have been devoted to helping investors and have successfully recovered over $175 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 Michigan 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.
Definition of Investment Fraud and Securities Fraud
Investment fraud, often referred to alongside securities fraud, entails the employment of deceitful tactics, such as the dissemination of false or misleading information, to influence investors into making decisions that lead to significant financial losses. Unethical brokers might go as far as committing outright theft of investors’ funds or securities.
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.
Example Scenario: An investor is persuaded by their broker to put a large portion of their retirement savings into a high-risk, illiquid investment. The broker downplays the risks, misrepresents the potential returns, and pressures the investor to make a quick decision. The investment ultimately fails, leading to significant losses for the investor.
Upon initially engaging a broker-dealer, you probably expected them to prioritize your interests above all. However, it’s a harsh reality that numerous brokers and financial advisors either fail to meet their fiduciary responsibilities or engage in outright securities fraud. They may provide misleading information about investments, obscure potential risks, indulge in excessive trading (known as churning) to earn commissions, or impose hidden fees, resulting in overcharges.
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.
Michigan and Federal Laws That Protect Investors
Michigan investors benefit from a robust framework of protections designed to ensure fair and transparent markets. These safeguards include:
- Key Laws and Regulations
- Michigan Uniform Securities Act: The cornerstone of Michigan 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.
- The Michigan Business Corporation Act: This outlines shareholder rights and the responsibilities of company leaders, aiming to ensure that corporations act in the shareholders’ best interests.
- Michigan Consumer Protection Act: This broad law empowers investors to take action against unfair or deceptive investment practices.
- Governing Agencies
- Michigan State Securities Board: This agency is the primary watchdog for the Michigan securities industry. They register offerings, license brokers, investigate misconduct, and educate investors about their rights.
- Office of the Michigan Attorney General (Consumer Protection Division): Focused on consumer protection, this office can intervene in cases of investment fraud or other deceptive practices that harm Michigan 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
- Michigan Securities Division: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/cscl/other/contact-the-securities-audit-division
- Office of the Michigan Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection
- FINRA: https://www.finra.org/
- SEC – https://www.sec.gov/
Can I Recover my Investment Losses?
In order to recover your investment losses, you must prove that your broker-dealer or financial advisor breached their fiduciary duty to you as an investor.
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, which are not available in civil court.
As an investor in the U.S., 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 Michigan, including:
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/william-collin-edward-jones/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/richard-diaz-principal-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jason-murphy-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/susan-vanspybrook-j-p-morgan-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/chad-spezia-merrill-lynch-pierce-fenner-smith/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/david-lademan-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/dennis-oleszkowicz-ubs-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/james-bologna-allstate-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jeremy-hershey-huntington-financial-advisors/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/robin-runco-cfd-investments/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/steven-reauso-the-huntington-investment-co /
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/ryan-hall-lpl-financial /
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/brian-timmer-ameriprise-financialservices/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/david-white-centaurus-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/mark-zitzelsberger-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/craig-stiles-ameriprise-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/edward-dublis-cambridge-investment-research/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/steven-kocher-ubs-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/edward-mccombs-pnc-investments/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/norman-killop-iii-morgan-stanley/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/gunnar-gavin-bankers-life-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/aubrey-lee-jr-merrill-lynch-pierce-fenner-smith-incorporated/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/harold-caldwell-pfs-investments/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/john-bussa-lincoln-financial-advisors/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/phil-andrews-ii-lpl-financial/
Did You Know . . . Investment Fraud Attorney Robert Pearce Has Single-Handedly Collected Over $175 Million On Behalf of His Clients
Over the past two decades, Robert Pearce has secured more than $175 million in recoveries for his investor clients. Impressively, he has successfully recouped funds for over 99% of these clients, utilizing a comprehensive approach that includes settlements, arbitrations, and court litigation.
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 $175 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 Are the Statute of Limitations?
Michigan, the statute of limitations for fraud is generally six years. 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. 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
In Michigan, investors should be vigilant against several common types of investment fraud. These include unsuitable investments, where recommendations don’t align with an investor’s needs, and forced liquidation, where brokers sell assets without client consent.
Ponzi schemes promise high returns but rely on new investments to pay existing investors. Excessive trading, or churning, generates commissions at the investor’s expense. Misrepresentation involves providing deceptive information, while breach of fiduciary duty occurs when advisors prioritize their interests over clients’.
Other notable frauds include unauthorized trading, failure to supervise, overconcentration, and theft. Mutual fund sales violations, excessive markups, and selling away are also common. Negligence, margin abuse, and conflicts of interest are frequent issues, as advisors sometimes prioritize their profits over client interests.
Additionally, investors should be wary of risky private placements, cryptocurrency scams, 401(k) misconduct, microcap fraud, mining investment schemes, EB-5 visa fraud, and advance fee scams. These tactics highlight the need for careful scrutiny and due diligence when making investment decisions.
Contact a Michigan 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. Michigan 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 Michigan securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.
Our law firm works with clients throughout the state:
- Detroit
- Grand Rapids
- Warren
- Sterling Heights
- Ann Arbor
- Lansing
- Flint
- Dearborn
- Livonia
- Westland
- Troy
- Farmington Hills
- Kalamazoo
- Wyoming
- Rochester Hills
- Southfield
- Taylor
- Pontiac
- St. Clair Shores
- Novi
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.