New Jersey 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 New Jersey.
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 New Jersey-based investor.
For over 40 years we have been representing victims of investment fraud. We truly understand the frustration and stress that comes with being a victim of investment fraud, and we are here to help you navigate the legal process and hold those responsible accountable.
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 New Jersey 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 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.
All forms of investment fraud aim to deceive investors into taking actions that benefit the perpetrator financially. This may include schemes like false and misleading statements to induce you to purchase high commission, illiquid and unsuitable investments not in your best interest, 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 market new and complex investment products to generate high commissions and profits, often without regard to whether their clients are capable of managing potential losses. These sophisticated investment products and strategies are appropriate for only a limited group of investors prepared to take on significant risks and may be used at times to conceal excessive trading and risk levels within accounts.
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.
When you initially engaged your broker-dealer, you probably did so with the expectation that they would prioritize your best interests. Unfortunately, many brokers and financial advisors fail to meet their fiduciary duties, or they may engage in outright securities fraud. They could misrepresent investment opportunities, hide risks, participate in excessive trading (churning) to earn commissions, or levy hidden fees that inflate your costs.
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.
New Jersey and Federal Laws That Protect Investors
New Jersey investors benefit from a robust framework of protections designed to ensure fair and transparent markets. These safeguards include:
- Key Laws and Regulations
- New Jersey Uniform Securities Act: The cornerstone of New Jersey 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.
- New Jersey Business Corporations Act: This outlines shareholder rights and the responsibilities of company leaders, aiming to ensure that corporations act in the shareholders’ best interests.
- New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act: This broad law empowers investors to take action against unfair or deceptive investment practices.
- Governing Agencies
- New Jersey Bureau of Securities: This agency is the primary watchdog for the New Jersey securities industry. They register offerings, license brokers, investigate misconduct, and educate investors about their rights.
- Office of the New Jersey Attorney General (Consumer Protection Division): Focused on consumer protection, this office can intervene in cases of investment fraud or other deceptive practices that harm New Jersey 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
- New Jersey Bureau of Securities: https://www.nj.gov/oag/law/secf.htm
- Office of the New Jersey Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/
- FINRA: https://www.finra.org/
- SEC – https://www.sec.gov/
How our New Jersey 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 prospects for recovering compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we have a history of helping numerous investors reclaim losses from investment fraud. We will conduct a detailed investigation of your case to expose any misrepresentations or fraudulent activities and will tirelessly work to secure the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.
If you’ve suffered financial losses due to a stockbroker or advisor’s negligence or fraud, the simplest way to determine if you have a case is by calling our office at 800-732-2889. Our experienced investment fraud law firm is equipped to represent you effectively, leveraging our expertise to advocate on your behalf. We do the following:
- 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 law and you suffered damages as a result of their misconduct.
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, 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 New Jersey, including:
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/david-melilli-cambridge-investment-research-inc/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jeffrey-gitterman-vanderbilt-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/james-hunt-apw-capital/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jarrett-dewelde-equitable-advisors-llc/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/joseph-burdi-northwestern-mutual-investment-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/le-bui-lord-abbett-distributor/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jarrett-dewelde-equitable-advisors/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/daniel-lamego-mml-investors-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/stuart-lesser-edward-jones/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/marko-milosevic-merrill-lynch-pierce-fenner-smith/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/sanjeev-segan-nylife-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/anthony-cancela-nylife-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/francis-dougherty-of-prudential-financial-planning-services
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/gregory-jacobson-b-riley-wealth-management/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jeffrey-hanson-fidelity-brokerage-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/john-cahill-janney-montgomery-scott/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/kathleen-entwistle-morgan-stanley/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/michael-snyder-ameriprise-financial-services /
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/mina-hanna-equitable-advisors/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/ricardo-urrutia-mutual-of-omaha-investor-services-2/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/richard-quense-securian-financial-svcs-2/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/richard-cody-ifs-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/ronald-nagy-wells-fargo-clearing-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/timothy-kent-merrill-lynch-pierce-fenner-smith/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/leigh-einhorn-wells-fargo-clearing-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/shaun-grimaldi-e1-asset-management/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jeffrey-smulevitz-morgan-stanley/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/lok-wong-td-ameritrade/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jeffrey-gitterman-vanderbilt-securities-2/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/kurt-kleinle-j-p-morgan-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jason-genovese-merrill-lynch-pierce-fenner-smith-incorporated/
Some of our Lawyer’s Success Stories Include:
FINRA ARBITRATION SETTLEMENT $8,500,000
This FINRA Arbitration involved investors who claimed their broker-dealer over-concentrated and over-leveraged their accounts in Puerto Rico municipal bonds and further made unsuitable recommendations to “hold” those positions when it knew market conditions were perilous. The case was settled prior the arbitration hearing in 2021.
FINRA ARBITRATION SETTLEMENT $7,840,000
This FINRA arbitration involved a complex options trading strategy in the oil and gas sector for a Brazilian holding company against one of the largest Midwest broker-dealers in United States and resolved through mediation on the eve of trial in 2010.
FINRA ARBITRATION AWARD $5,887,498
Case No. 17-02354
Jose E. Blanco Garrido, et al. v. UBS Financial Services Inc. of PR, et al.
This FINRA arbitration against UBS Financial Services, Inc. and UBS Financial Services Inc. of Puerto Rico involve the overconcentration of Mr. Blanco’s family’s assets in Puerto Rico municipal bonds and closed-end bond funds. The arbitrators awarded substantially all of the Blanco family losses and over $1.5 million prejudgment interest and all of the litigation expenses, $170,000, arising out of an unsuitable recommendation to “hold” their Puerto Rico securities in the fall of 2012 when market conditions were perilous. The arbitration award was entered in favor of the Blanco family after 40 hearing sessions in 2019.
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 recovered more than $170 million for his investor clients. Impressively, he has secured recoveries for over 99% of his clients through various means, including settlements, arbitrations, and court litigations.
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?
Usually, the first meeting with a securities attorney is free of charge. During this consultation, the attorney will assess your case and provide an estimate of potential legal fees. Should you choose to proceed, you will generally be required to sign a contingency fee agreement. This means you only pay the attorney if they successfully recover funds for you. If no recovery is made, you will not owe any legal fees.
What Are the Statute of Limitations?
In investment fraud cases, it’s crucial to act quickly due to the statutes of limitations set by both New Jersey and federal laws, which establish strict deadlines for filing legal claims. In New Jersey, the general statute of limitations for fraud claims is six years from the date of the fraud. Under the New Jersey Securities Act, however, a claim must be initiated within two years of the contract of sale or within two years of when the plaintiff knew or should have known of the cause of action. On the federal level, the statute of limitations for securities fraud cases is generally five years from the date of the violation or two years from when the fraud was or should have been discovered. To ensure your claim is filed within these limits, it’s important to consult with an attorney promptly.
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 New Jersey 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. New Jersey 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 New Jersey securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.
Our law firm works with New Jersey clients in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison, Toms River, Trenton, Clifton, Camden, Bayonne, and throughout the state. 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.