SEC Bars Adviser for Defrauding Clients

Posted on August 23rd, 2016 at 2:08 PM

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law LLC:

On August 8, 2016, the SEC permanently barred a former adviser of Invest Financial named Alan Gold of Wilmette, Illinois for defrauding clients of nearly $2 million and using some of the funds to pay off gambling debts.

Mr. Gold launched his scheme in 2007 after he was terminated from Invest Financial for violating a firm policy of borrowing money from clients. After being terminated from Invest Financial and forming his own firm named Gold & Associates, he raised $5 million from clients by telling them that their money was going to be invested in Facebook stock, real estate and alternative investments. Instead, Mr. Gold transferred the funds to a bank account he controlled and spent the money on his gambling addiction. Mr. Gold created fake stock certificates for the shares he never actually purchased.  He continued taking client money until 2014, when he felt "overwhelmed with guilt," according to the FBI.

He is currently facing fraud charges in federal court. Authorities are seeking $1.8 million in restitution and about seven to nine years of imprisonment, according to court documents.

The attorneys of Eccleston Law LLC represent investors and advisers nationwide in securities and employment matters. Our attorneys draw on a combined experience of nearly 65 years in delivering the highest quality legal services. If you are in need of legal services, contact us to schedule a one-on-one consultation today.

Related Attorneys: James J. Eccleston

Tags: Eccleston, Eccleston Law, Eccleston Law LLC, James Eccleston, SEC

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Fantastic news!!!!  Your professionalism, support and expertise were greatly appreciated.  You made a difficult situation much more bearable.

Marci M.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

October 2, 2024
SEC Charges Two South Florida Men for Defrauding Venezuelan-American Investors in $5 Million Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a complaint against two South Florida men, Francisco Javier Malave Hernandez and Ricardo Javier Guerra Farias, for orchestrating a multi-million dollar investment fraud that targeted members of the Venezuelan-American community.

October 1, 2024
California Advisor Suspended and Fined for Churning Client Accounts

A veteran advisor in Santa Maria, California, Stewart "Paxton" Ginn, has been suspended for 18 months and fined $50,000 by FINRA, according to AdvisorHub

September 30, 2024
Bank of America and Merrill Lynch Settle with FINRA for Supervisory Failures

Bank of America and its subsidiary, Merrill Lynch, have agreed to a $3 million fine and censure as part of a settlement with FINRA over long-term supervisory failures.