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  • AV award to investor fraud lawyer Bob Pearce
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Member Bob Pearce, Esq

Your broker owed you honest advice and careful management of your investments—when they prioritized commissions over your interests, they violated securities laws designed to protect you.

Attorney Pearce will personally review and discuss your claim with his legal team to work out a path to your recovery. The firm is fully experienced in the avenues of broker misconduct such as unauthorized trading, Ponzi schemes, breach of fiduciary duty and other securities violations. We will work to hold brokers and financial institutions accountable while pursuing compensation through the most effective forum.

We know how overwhelming it feels to watch your savings disappear at the hands of someone you trusted, and we are here to fight for you

What is Investment Fraud and Securities Fraud

Investment fraud, often referred to as securities fraud, entails the employment of deceitful tactics, such as the dissemination of false or misleading information, to influence investors’ decisions, leading to significant financial losses. Unscrupulous brokers might go as far as to directly steal funds or securities from investors.

Example Scenario: An investor is persuaded by their broker to put a large portion of their retirement savings into a high-risk, illiquid investment. The broker downplays the risks, misrepresents the potential returns, and pressures the investor to make a quick decision. The investment ultimately fails, leading to significant losses for the investor.

Upon initially engaging a broker-dealer, you probably expected them to prioritize your interests. However, numerous brokers and financial advisors fall short of their fiduciary responsibilities or engage directly in securities fraud. They may provide misleading information about investments, obscure risks, participate in unnecessary frequent trading (known as churning) to earn commissions, or impose hidden fees, resulting in overcharging.

Missouri and Federal Laws That Protect Investors

Missouri investors benefit from a robust framework of protections designed to ensure fair and transparent markets. These safeguards include:

  • Key Laws and Regulations

    • Missouri Uniform Securities Act: The cornerstone of Missouri investor protection, this law combats fraud, mandates the registration of most securities, and provides avenues for investors to seek recourse if they’ve been misled.

    • The Missouri General and Business Law of Missouri: This outlines shareholder rights and the responsibilities of company leaders, aiming to ensure that corporations act in the shareholders’ best interests.

  • Governing Agencies

    • Missouri Securities Division: This agency is the primary watchdog for the Missouri securities industry. They register offerings, license brokers, investigate misconduct, and educate investors about their rights.

    • Office of the Missouri Attorney General (Consumer Protection Division): Focused on consumer protection, this office can intervene in cases of investment fraud or other deceptive practices that harm Missouri investors.

  • National Regulatory Bodies

    • FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority): FINRA oversees all broker-dealers in the US, setting ethical standards, enforcing securities laws, and providing investor education resources. They work alongside the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) for broad investor protection.

Useful Resources

  • Missouri Securities Division: https://www.sos.mo.gov/securities

  • Office of the Missouri Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: https://www.mo.gov/home-family/consumer-protection/

  • FINRA: https://www.finra.org/

  • SEC – https://www.sec.gov/

Missouri Securities Laws

Missouri regulates securities transactions through the Missouri Securities Act of 2003, codified at RSMo Chapter 409. Section 409.5-501 makes it illegal to commit fraud, make untrue statements of material fact, or omit material facts in connection with buying or selling a security. The Act also prohibits selling unregistered securities and acting as an unregistered broker-dealer or agent.

This law is part of what’s commonly called a “blue sky law.” Blue sky laws give state regulators, not just federal agencies, the power to police securities misconduct that happens within their borders.

The Missouri Securities Division, part of the Secretary of State’s office, oversees broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, and their representatives under Missouri’s administrative code, 15 CSR 30. These regulations prohibit dishonest or unethical practices, unreasonable fees or commissions, unsuitable recommendations, and deceptive or manipulative sales tactics, including boiler-room schemes.

How our Missouri Securities Law Attorneys Can Help You

Yes, investment losses are a part of investing, but when brokers commit fraud, they can be held legally responsible. If you believe you have been a victim of investment fraud, it is important to contact an investment fraud lawyer with experience handling these types of cases. Regulatory bodies like the SEC or FINRA might also need to be alerted to potential market manipulation or insider trading.

The earlier you take action, the better your chances of securing compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we’ve assisted numerous investors in reclaiming their losses caused by investment fraud. We conduct a comprehensive investigation of your case, identifying any instances of misrepresentation or fraud, and advocate vigorously to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you are entitled to.

Here’s how our knowledgeable and experienced investment fraud law firm can advocate for you:

  • Represent & Advise: We’ll stand as your legal representative, advising you on your rights and options throughout the process.

  • Investigate & Analyze: We’ll thoroughly investigate your case, meticulously analyzing financial documents and potential fraudulent schemes to uncover evidence of wrongdoing.

  • Identify Liable Parties: We’ll work strategically to identify all potentially liable parties, including brokers, financial advisors, and financial institutions.

  • File Complaints & Lawsuits: We’ll file formal complaints with regulatory agencies (such as the SEC or FINRA) and, when necessary, initiate lawsuits to protect your interests.

  • Litigate & Negotiate: We are skilled litigators ready to fight aggressively for you in court or arbitration. Additionally, we’ll negotiate tirelessly to secure the most favorable settlement possible.

  • Recover Losses: Our ultimate goal is to recover your financial losses and protect you from further harm. We are results-driven and committed to achieving the maximum financial recovery you deserve.

Can I Recover my Investment Losses?

To recoup your investment losses, it’s essential to demonstrate that your broker-dealer or financial advisor failed to uphold their fiduciary obligation towards you as an investor, acted negligently, or violated securities industry laws, rules, or regulations.

In most cases, this means filing a FINRA arbitration claim against the broker-dealer and/or representative.

The majority of securities fraud cases are handled by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) rather than being brought to the court system.

FINRA arbitration is a streamlined, cost-effective way to resolve disputes between investors and their brokers without going to court – it also allows you to collect punitive damages, which are not available in civil court.

What Are the Statute of Limitations?

In Missouri, you have ten years from the discovery of the fraud to file a lawsuit.

On the federal level, the deadline for filing securities fraud cases is generally five years from the occurrence of the fraud or two years from when the fraud could have reasonably been discovered. Consulting an attorney promptly is vital to make sure your claim is submitted within the correct time limits.

Types of Investment and Securities Fraud Cases We Can Help Represent You With

Investment fraud in Missouri encompasses a variety of tactics used by unscrupulous brokers and advisors. Common types include unsuitable investments, where recommendations do not align with the investor’s needs, and forced liquidation, involving unauthorized selling of investments.

Ponzi schemes promise high returns but are fraudulent, while excessive trading (churning) generates commissions for advisors at the client’s expense. Misrepresentation and omission involve deceptive information, and breach of fiduciary duty occurs when advisors prioritize their interests.

Unauthorized trading, failure to supervise, overconcentration, theft, mutual fund sales violations, excessive markups/markdowns, selling unapproved investments (selling away), negligence, and margin abuse also pose significant risks to investors in Missouri.

Conflicts of interest, private placements, cryptocurrency fraud, 401(k) plan misconduct, microcap fraud, mining and mineral investment fraud, EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program fraud, and advance fee schemes are additional types of investment fraud that investors should be aware of in Missouri.

Contact our Missouri Securities and Investment Fraud Attorneys Today

The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., is a law firm specializing in representing defrauded investors recover. Missouri investment fraud lawyer Robert Wayne Pearce specializes in getting individuals their money back from bad investments using any and all available methods.

Since 1980, we have been devoted to helping investors and have successfully recovered over $185 million in settlements and verdicts on their behalf. View client testimonials here.

If you have questions about how to move forward, contact our team online or call Kansas City office line at (800) 732-2889 for a free confidential consultation with a Missouri securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.

Client Testimonials


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[Written by attorney Robert Wayne Pearce (Attorney Bio)]