Vernon Litigation and Attorney Kristian Kraszewski have filed multiple cases on behalf of Southwest Florida widows involving risky alternative investments.
Vernon Litigation and Attorney Kristian Kraszewski recently filed back-to-back cases on behalf of two different Southwest Florida widows who were sold high-risk alternative investments.
The first case was filed on behalf of an 87-year-old widow who was looking for safe investments for her grandchildren’s college education. Instead, a Southwest Florida “investment professional” registered with United Planners Financial Services of America sold her high-risk alternative investments that have not only suffered losses but cannot be sold without devastating losses. Had the advisor simply purchased low-cost ETFs or index funds, the investor would have more than doubled her money with less risk than the following speculative alternatives that were recommended: GPB, FS Credit, Genesis VIII, ARC Global, KBS, SEIF, and ATEL.
The second case that was filed also involves speculative alternative investment recommendations to a Southwest Florida widow. The investor was looking for safe income investments that would not jeopardize her investment principal. Marc Korsch, who was registered with Centaurus Financial at the time of the recommendations, instead recommended high-risk non-traded REITs known as the MVP Parking REIT and Strategic Storage Trust. These recommendations generated exorbitant commissions and failed to provide our client with the safety and security she sought for her retirement nest egg. According to FINRA’s Brokercheck CRD system, Mr. Korsch has 9 reportable disclosures on his record and has worked for 6 brokerage firms in 11 years.
FINRA has specifically reminded firms such as United Planners and Centaurs in Notice to Members 03-71 that:
Given the complex nature of NCIs [Non-Conventional Investments aka Alternative Investments] and the potential for customer harm or confusion, members are cautioned to ensure that their sales conduct procedures fully and accurately address any of the special circumstances presented by the sale of NCIs. Additionally, FINRA is concerned that investors, particularly retail investors, may not fully understand the risks associated with these products.
FINRA went on to remind members offering Non-Conventional Investments such as REITs and other alternatives of their obligations to: “(1) conduct adequate due diligence to understand the features of the product; (2) perform a reasonable-basis suitability analysis; (3) perform customer-specific suitability analysis in connection with any recommended transactions; (4) provide a balanced disclosure of both the risks and rewards associated with the particular product, especially when selling to retail investors; (5) implement appropriate internal controls; and (6) train registered persons regarding the features, risks, and suitability of these products.”
Vernon Litigation Group has for many years broken down and condemned non-traded REITS and the way they are abusively sold, e.g.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmzeTu5w75Y.
Investors who have suffered losses in alternative investments or REITs due to the unsuitable investment advice by a financial advisor are advised to contact the securities lawyers of Vernon Litigation Group to discuss legal options. Information about the firm can be found at http://www.Reitattorneys.com.
Vernon Litigation Group is a financial litigation law firm with offices in Naples, Florida and Buckhead, Georgia that represents clients in courtroom litigation, arbitration, including FINRA arbitration, negotiation, and mediation throughout the United States. Our lawyers have collectively represented hundreds of investors in financial disputes in arbitration and litigation nationwide and recovered many millions of dollars from purported financial professionals and financial institutions, both large and small. Please contact us to discuss your rights if you believe a financial or investment professional has failed to act in your best interests or otherwise abused your trust with respect to insurance products or other investment products or services. For more information, visit our website or contact us by phone at 1-877-649-5394 or by e-mail at info@vernonlitigation.com to speak with a representative of Vernon Litigation Group.