Protecting Investors in South Florida

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, as well as Florida state laws and federal requirements, govern stock trades and investments. The directors that sit on the board, corporations that release stocks to investors and the brokers that trade the shares, must abide by complex legal regulations at all times.

The Law Offices of Geoffrey D. Ittleman, P.A. has experience defending and prosecuting claims that involve broker liability, stockbroker manipulation, breach of fiduciary duty, erroneous investment advice and securities fraud. Our Fort Lauderdale securities attorney can handle claims involving stockholders, brokerage firms and businesses in South Florida. We protect investors’ rights to fair dealings. We can also help to safeguard stockbrokers, companies and boards from unfair and unjust accusations of wrongdoing.

What is Stock Manipulation?

When a broker illegally participates in stock manipulation, investors can lose a lot of money. Stock manipulation may include:

• Rigging stock prices, quotes or trades to create a deceptive perception of demand
• Spreading false information in an attempt to drive a company’s stock price either up or down
• Engaging in insider trading and giving certain investors an unfair advantage over other investors
• Improperly placing restrictions on the number of public shares available

If a company engages in these types of illegal stock manipulation activities, they are subject to not only civil but criminal penalties. If you are a stockholder in a company that participates in such actions, you may have the ability to recover any monies you lose due to the broker’s unlawful acts and manipulation.

Broker Liability

If a company engages in these types of illegal stock manipulation activities, they are subject to not only civil but criminal penalties. If you are a stockholder in a company that participates in such actions, you may have the ability to recover any monies you lose due to the broker’s unlawful acts and manipulation.

• Churning - Trading stocks and investments for the primary purpose of earning commissions and fees.
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty - If a broker acts in a manner that is not in your best interest, which includes actions to benefit the broker or another party, they may be in breach of their duties.
• Unsuitable Trades - Not considering your financial situation, investment goals and the level of your trade knowledgeable and putting you at high risk for certain trades.
• Fraudulent Misrepresentation - Omitting or misrepresenting material facts that are relevant to your investments.
• Vicarious Liability - Failing to supervise an individual or junior broker that is making trades for a company or senior broker.

Board of Director’s Fiduciary Duties

A company’s board of directors is required to abide by its fiduciary obligations to its stockholders. While individual directors may not be liable, stockholders may have the ability to take action against a company or against any directors that are proven to act with fraud or gross negligence when conducting acquisitions, mergers or other deals that benefit the board at the expense and risk of the stockholders.

Protect Your Security Investments

An experienced Fort Lauderdale stock lawyer can handle any securities disputes that may arise. The Law Offices of Geoffrey D. Ittleman represents investors, company stakeholders, stockholders, the board of directors, stockbrokers and companies. Contact us to arrange a free case evaluation today.