Our firm is investigating Arete Wealth Management, LLC financial advisor Jason P. Lamb (CRD# 3248356) of Nashville, Tennessee for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Jason P. Lamb has been registered in the securities industry with the following firms: Arete Wealth Management, LLC (02/2021–Present); Center Street Securities, Inc. (06/2009–12/2023); ProEquities, Inc. (09/2001–03/2009); and American Express Financial Advisors Inc. (11/1999–08/2001).

Our firm is investigating Emerson Equity LLC financial advisor Thomas Gary Justice (CRD# 2786145) of San Mateo, California for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Thomas Gary Justice has worked in the securities industry with registrations dating back to the 1990s, and has been associated with multiple firms over time, including: Mutual Service Corporation (1997), ManEquity, Inc. (1996–1998), Pacific Harbor Securities, Inc. (1998–1999), Private Consulting Group, Inc. (1999–2000; 2001–2008), NFP Securities, Inc. (2000–2001), Pacific West Securities, Inc. (2008–2009), Conover Securities Corporation (2009–2020), Conover Capital Management (various periods from 2009–2020), and Emerson Equity LLC (since November 2020).

Our firm is investigating Emerson Equity LLC financial advisor Thomas Gary Justice (CRD# 2786145) of San Mateo, California for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Thomas Gary Justice has worked in the securities industry with registrations dating back to the 1990s, and has been associated with multiple firms over time, including: Mutual Service Corporation (1997), ManEquity, Inc. (1996–1998), Pacific Harbor Securities, Inc. (1998–1999), Private Consulting Group, Inc. (1999–2000; 2001–2008), NFP Securities, Inc. (2000–2001), Pacific West Securities, Inc. (2008–2009), Conover Securities Corporation (2009–2020), Conover Capital Management (various periods from 2009–2020), and Emerson Equity LLC (since November 2020).

Our firm is investigating Osaic Wealth, Inc. financial advisor and stockbroker Betsy L. Whipple (CRD# 2703262) of Hiko, Nevada for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

According to FINRA BrokerCheck, Betsy L. Whipple’s registration history includes (among other firms): Osaic Wealth, Inc. (06/2024–Present); Securities America Advisors, Inc. / Securities America, Inc. (05/2024–06/2024); Newbridge Financial Services Group, Inc. / Newbridge Securities Corporation (03/2018–05/2024); M. S. Howells & Co. / MSH Capital Advisors LLC (01/2018–03/2018); Greenleaf Financial Network, LLC (02/2017–01/2018); Private Client Services, LLC (01/2017–12/2017); Merrill Lynch (09/2011–12/2016); Morgan Stanley entities (03/2006–09/2011); Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. (08/1999–02/2006); and PaineWebber Incorporated (02/1996–07/1999).

Our firm is investigating Centaurus Financial, Inc. financial advisor and stockbroker William C. Burks II (CRD# 2944992) of Flower Mound, Texas for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

William C. Burks II has been registered with Centaurus Financial, Inc. as a broker (FINRA registrations include Series 6/7 and principal exam Series 26) since August 2000, and he has been registered as an investment adviser representative with the firm since November 2011. He previously registered with PFS Investments Inc. from September 1997 through August 2000.

Our firm is investigating Osaic Institutions, Inc. financial advisor and registered representative Roderick Rodriguez (CRD# 2680445) of Bronx, New York for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on his reported registration and employment history, Rodriguez has been registered with multiple broker-dealers, including Gruntal & Co. Incorporated / Gruntal & Co., L.L.C. (1996–1998), Invest Financial Corporation (1998–2003), IFMG Securities, Inc. (2003–2008), LPL Financial (2008–2010), Essex National Securities, LLC (2010–2016), Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (2016), and later associated with Osaic Institutions, Inc. (registered since July 1, 2016, with an investment adviser representative registration starting September 29, 2020).

Our firm is investigating Emerson Equity LLC financial advisor and registered representative Robert Scott Smith (CRD# 1412333) of Newberg, Oregon for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

Based on his FINRA BrokerCheck registration history, Mr. Smith has been registered with the following firms:

Emerson Equity LLC (04/2020 – Present)

Concorde Investment Services, LLC (05/2011 – 04/2020)

Pacific West Securities, Inc. (06/2007 – 05/2011)

Brookstreet Securities Corporation (03/1996 – 07/2007)

Toluca Pacific Securities Corp. (05/1995 – 03/1996)

Allmerica Investments, Inc. (12/1993 – 10/1994)

A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. (07/1990 – 04/1993)

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (09/1985 – 07/1990)

Our firm is investigating Great Point Capital LLC financial advisor Joseph Kocsis (CRD# 2423884) of Chicago, Illinois for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

According to his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Joseph Kocsis has been registered with Great Point Capital LLC in Chicago, Illinois since January 4, 2019. His prior securities industry registrations include:

National Securities Corporation (New York, NY): 08/2013 – 01/2019

Aegis Capital Corp. (New York, NY): 03/2010 – 06/2013

GunnAllen Financial, Inc. (New York, NY): 06/2008 – 03/2010

Joseph Gunnar & Co. LLC (New York, NY): 09/1998 – 05/2008

First Asset Management, Inc. (Garden City, NY): 11/1993 – 08/1998

Our firm is investigating LPL Financial LLC financial advisor Richard Francis Simonitis Jr. (CRD# 2263459) of North Royalton, Ohio for potential investment-related misconduct.

Financial Advisor’s Career History

According to his FINRA BrokerCheck report, Richard Francis Simonitis Jr. has been registered in the securities industry for decades and is currently registered with LPL Financial LLC (registered since 02/26/2007; investment adviser representative since 02/27/2007).

His reported securities registration history includes:

PRUCO Securities Corporation (Newark, New Jersey): 09/1992 – 04/2000

Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. (Fort Mill, South Carolina): 06/2000 – 11/2004

UVEST Financial Services Group, Inc. (Middleburg Heights, Ohio): 11/2004 – 02/2007

LPL Financial LLC (branch location listed as North Royalton, Ohio; employment shown as registered representative since 02/2007): 02/2007 – Present

FINRA BrokerCheck reflects two customer disputes disclosed for Mr. Simonitis: one denied matter from 2014 and one pending matter received in 2025.

Disclosure snapshot (for context):

03/25/2014 (Received) — Customer Complaint — Alleged unsuitable recommendations; products listed as Equity-OTC and Mutual Fund — Alleged damages: $250,000 — Disposition/Status Date: 08/29/2014 — Denied

02/07/2025 (Received) — Customer Complaint — Customer alleges advisor forged signature on account form — Product type: No Product — Alleged damages: $0 (not specified) — Status: Pending

Kristian Finfrock (CRD# 5421676) is a former financial advisor and registered representative who worked with Kalos Capital, Inc. in Evansville, Wisconsin, and is under investigation for potential investment-related misconduct arising from multiple FINRA customer disputes.

Financial Advisor’s Career History
Kristian Finfrock entered the securities industry in approximately 2007 and was previously registered with MetLife Securities Inc. from October 2007 through March 2012. He later joined Kalos Capital, Inc., where he was registered from March 2012 until July 2022, working out of Evansville, Wisconsin.
During his tenure, Finfrock held Series 6, Series 7, Series 63, and Series 65 licenses. He is no longer registered with FINRA or any securities firm.