Our firm is investigating Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated broker and investment adviser Phillip Wayne Jones (CRD# 2445213) of Houston, Texas for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Phillip Wayne Jones has been associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since May 1993, and his current FINRA registrations with Merrill Lynch date to February 1994. BrokerCheck also reflects that he has worked for Bank of America, N.A. as a financial advisor since January 2010, both roles being based in Houston, Texas.

FINRA’s report shows no prior securities-firm registrations for Jones. His current branch office is listed as 800 Capitol St, Houston, Texas 77002.

Our firm is investigating Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated broker and investment adviser Phillip Wayne Jones (CRD# 2445213) of Houston, Texas for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Phillip Wayne Jones has been associated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since May 1993, and his current FINRA registrations with Merrill Lynch date to February 1994. BrokerCheck also reflects that he has worked for Bank of America, N.A. as a financial advisor since January 2010, both roles being based in Houston, Texas.

FINRA’s report shows no prior securities-firm registrations for Jones. His current branch office is listed as 800 Capitol St, Houston, Texas 77002.

Our firm is investigating Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC financial advisor and broker John James Pescatore (CRD# 2183696) of Boca Raton, Florida for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

According to FINRA BrokerCheck, John James Pescatore’s registration history begins in October 1991 with Gibraltar Securities Co. in Florham Park, New Jersey. He was then registered with Tucker Anthony Incorporated in Boston, Massachusetts from September 1999 to March 2002, RBC Dain Rauscher Inc. in New York, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during 2002, J. B. Hanauer & Co. in Parsippany, New Jersey from 2002 into 2006, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. in Boca Raton, Florida from January 2006 through October 2025, and Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Boca Raton, Florida beginning in October 2025.

Our firm is investigating Realta Equities, Inc. broker Carmen Dean Morrone Jr. (CRD# 1898874), a stockbroker working from Wantagh, New York, for potential investment-related misconduct.

Stockbroker’s Career History

BrokerCheck reflects securities registrations dating back to September 1996, when Morrone was registered with Essex National Securities, Inc. He later registered with Dime Securities of NY, Inc.; Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (twice); Janney Montgomery Scott LLC; CIBC World Markets Corp.; Prime Capital Services, Inc. (twice); Allmerica Investments, Inc.; Wachovia Securities, LLC; Ameriprise Advisor Services, Inc.; NYLife Securities LLC; Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.; National Securities Corporation (twice); Investacorp, Inc.; Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc.; B. Riley Wealth Management; and, since May 12, 2022, Realta Equities, Inc. in Wantagh, New York.

Our firm is investigating Capulent LLC broker and financial advisor Edward Eric Fernandez (CRD# 2956661) of Irvine, California for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Mr. Fernandez has been registered with Capulent LLC since October 5, 2017, and is associated with the firm’s Irvine, California office location.

His reported securities industry registration history includes:

Capulent LLC (Irvine, CA) — 10/2017 to Present

Boustead Securities, LLC (Irvine, CA) — 06/2016 to 02/2018

BrokerBank Securities, Inc. (Minnetonka/Bloomington, MN) — 02/2015 to 06/2016

Stephen A. Kohn & Associates, Ltd. (Irvine, CA) — 01/2012 to 06/2014

Pacific Cornerstone Capital Incorporated (Irvine, CA) — 07/2001 to 12/2011

H&R Block Financial Advisors, Inc. (Detroit, MI) — 01/2001 to 01/2001

Our firm is investigating Independent Financial Group, LLC financial advisor and stockbroker John Ka-Cheong Lee (CRD# 2948622) of Pleasanton, California for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on his FINRA BrokerCheck report, John Ka-Cheong Lee has been registered in the securities industry since at least 1998 and has reported associations with the following firms:

Independent Financial Group, LLC (CRD# 7717) — Registered as a broker and investment adviser representative since 10/2005 (Pleasanton, CA branch shown).

National Planning Corporation (CRD# 29604) — Registered 12/2000 to 11/2005 (San Francisco / Los Angeles locations listed).

H.D. Vest Investment Securities, Inc. (CRD# 13686) — Registered 01/1998 to 12/2000 (Dallas, TX listed).

Our firm is investigating LPL Financial LLC broker and investment adviser Brian Robert Bates (CRD# 2318413) of Phoenix, Arizona for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on the BrokerCheck employment and registration history, Brian Robert Bates has worked in the securities industry with registrations that include, among others:

Waddell & Reed, Inc. (05/1993 – 09/1996)

SunAmerica Securities, Inc. (09/1996 – 11/1998)

Securities America, Inc. (11/1998 – 08/2004)

CUE Financial Group, Inc. (09/2004 – 08/2009)

Foothill Securities, Inc. (08/2009 – 06/2011)

Chase Investment Services Corp. (08/2011 – 10/2012)

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (10/2012 – 10/2013)

BBVA Securities Inc. (10/2013 – 08/2021)

PNC Managed Account Solutions, Inc. / PNC Investments (08/2021 – 11/2021)

LPL Financial LLC (10/2021 – Present)

Our firm is investigating LPL Financial LLC advisor and registered representative David Robert McCain (CRD# 2039283) of Johnson City, Tennessee for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on the broker’s registration history, David R. McCain has worked in the securities industry since at least 1990 and has been registered with multiple firms over his career, including: J.C. Bradford & Co. (05/1990–08/2000); UBS Financial Services Inc. (08/2000–09/2007); Commonwealth Financial Network (08/2007–09/2009); Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (09/2009–01/2024); Osaic Wealth, Inc. (01/2024–08/2024); and LPL Financial LLC (since 08/19/2024).

Our firm is investigating United Planners’ Financial Services of America financial advisor and registered broker Aaron Pierce Sevigny (CRD# 4314368) of Bonita Springs, Florida for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on the BrokerCheck report, Aaron Pierce Sevigny’s securities-industry registration history includes:

United Planners’ Financial Services of America A Limited Partner (CRD# 20804) — Registered Representative / Investment Adviser Representative: 08/2006–Present (registered with the firm since 08/21/2006 as an IA and 08/25/2006 as a broker); branch listed in Bonita Springs, FL.

Financial Advisory Consultants, LLC (CRD# 122629) — Investment Adviser Representative: 06/2006–08/2006; branch listed in Naples, FL.

Triad Advisors, Inc. (CRD# 25803) — Registered Representative: 08/2004–08/2006; branch listed in Naples, FL.

MONY Securities Corporation (CRD# 4386) — Registered Representative: 10/2003–08/2004; branch listed in New York, NY.

BrokerCheck also reflects outside business activities, including Acadia Wealth Management, LLC (listed as President & CEO/DBA for marketing purposes) and other ventures.

Our firm is investigating Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. financial advisor and stockbroker Anthony D’Ascoli (CRD# 4133420) of Delray Beach, Florida for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

According to his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Anthony D’Ascoli has been registered with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. since September 2013 (Delray Beach, Florida). Prior to Oppenheimer, his registration history includes UBS Financial Services Inc. (June 2009 to July 2013) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (approximately April 2000/March 2001 through June 2009).