Concerned about Investment Losses with Antonio Costanzo?

According to FINRA, Antonio Costanzo (CRD #2580765, Chesapeake, Virginia) was fined $150,000 and barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity; and ordered to pay $114,841.52, plus interest, in restitution to customers.

The sanctions were based on findings that Costanzo allegedly recommended quantitatively unsuitable trading in customer accounts. The findings stated that the trading activity in all of the accounts at issue was purportedly excessive and inconsistent with the customers’ financial circumstances and investment objectives.

The findings also alleged that the benefits to Costanzo far outstripped any likely return to the customers from the trading, making it clear that Costanzo was allegedly trading for his own benefit without regard to the customers’ interests. Accordingly, Costanzo, purportedly acted in willful and reckless disregard of the customers’ interests and churned customer accounts.

The findings also included Costanzo allegedly recommended qualitatively unsuitable investments to customers in transactions involving leveraged or inverse exchange traded products. FINRA found that Costanzo also allegedly attempted to obstruct FINRA’s disciplinary process by conditioning offers of restitution on the customers’ refusal to cooperate with FINRA’s investigation and by attempting to dissuade customers.

For FINRA’s full findings see FINRA Case #2012030564701

According to Antonio Costanzo’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, he was registered with Titus Rockefeller in Chesapeake, VA from 01/23/2013 – 03/12/2015. Prior to that, he was registered with IFS Securities from 07/31/2012 – 12/19/2012. Newport Coast Securities employed Costanzo from 08/22/2008 – 08/01/2012. He has been in the securities industry for nineteen years and has eleven disclosures listed on his Broker Report, including eight customer complaints. Allegations include unsuitability, churning, misrepresentation, and unauthorized trades.

Recovery of Investment Losses

Brokers have a fiduciary duty to make investment recommendations that are consistent with the clients net worth, investment experience and objectives. Risk tolerance, age, and liquidity needs also need to be considered. Furthermore, brokers are prohibited from engaging in underhanded businesses practice, like churning, that violate securities laws and regulations.

When brokers abuse client accounts and conduct transactions that violate securities laws, the brokerage firm they are working with may be liable for investment losses. Brokerage firms that fail to monitor the business activities of their employees may be liable for investment losses due to negligent supervision for the misconduct of their employees.

If you suffered losses investing with Antonio Costanzo, the attorneys of The White Law Group may be able to help you recover your losses. For a free consultation with a securities attorney, please call 888-637-5510.

The White Law Group, LLC is a national securities fraud, securities arbitration, investor protection, and securities regulation/compliance law firm with offices in Chicago, Illinois and Franklin, Tennessee.

For more information on The White Law Group, visit www.WhiteSecurtiesLaw.com.