Former Wells Fargo Broker Barred From The Brokerage Industry

Posted on May 30th, 2014 at 5:28 PM

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law Offices:

Michael J. Frew, a former Wells Fargo broker, has been barred from the brokerage industry by FINRA amidst allegations that he perpetrated a Ponzi scheme.

Frew had been registered as a broker since 1975. In 1988 he joined Prudential Securities, which merged with Wachovia in 2003. Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia in 2009. From 2003 to January 2014, Frew was employed by Wells Fargo Advisors.

Frew solicited millions of dollars from friends, family and clients which he said would be used by a real estate developer to rehabilitate properties in areas hit by natural disasters. He promised investors interest payments ranging from 10 to 14 percent per year. But when investors requested the return of their investments this year, Frew became unavailable to reach.

FINRA is continuing its investigation of Frew. However, Frew has provided misleading information to FINRA and has refused to cooperate with its investigation.

Wells Fargo Advisors issued a public statement that Frew resigned after the firm opened an investigation when a customer attempted to wire money into Frew’s personal bank account at another institution.

Current and former clients of Michael Frew should contact Eccleston Law to discuss their investment loss recovery option. 

The attorneys of Eccleston Law Offices represent investors and advisers nationwide in securities and employment matters. Our attorneys draw on a combined experience of nearly 50 years in delivering the highest quality legal services.

Related Attorneys: James J. Eccleston

Tags:

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Jim, Stephany and the whole team were a God send.  We felt like we were put into a situation where we had no advocate. Jim’s team came in with a strong, well laid out strategy on how to get our story heard. Where our outside compliance company had no ability to help, our Broker Dealer was impenitent, and the regulators were aggressive pursuing vague rules, Jim came like a barricade against an assault we did not understand. Though you pay member dues to be affiliated with FINRA and a B/D, you have no voice. The only thing that is truly heard in this un-level playing field is a bulldog’s bark like Jim’s. I would encourage anyone to call Jim and his team to find a real ally in the tough and complicated world of securities regulation. They are truly the best.

Greg P.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

March 21, 2025
SEC Updates Marketing Rule Guidance to Clarify Extracted Performance and Portfolio Metrics

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued updated guidance on its marketing rule, addressing industry concerns regarding net performance requirements, extracted performance, and portfolio characteristics.

March 20, 2025
Stifel Loses Raiding Case, Ordered to Pay Over $7 Million in Legal Fees

Stifel Financial has lost its raiding and breach-of-contract claim against a group of advisors who left its Indianapolis office to establish their own firm.

March 19, 2025
FINRA Enforcement Actions in 2024: Fines Drop But Cases Increase

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) imposed $59 million in fines in 2024, reflecting a 35 percent decrease from the previous year, according to an analysis by Eversheds Sutherland.