Written by 1:27 pm Blog, Securities Fraud Articles

Investigation into Merrill Lynch financial advisor James Ryan Lanier

Have you been defrauded by Merrill Lynch financial advisor James Ryan Lanier?  If so, the securities attorneys of The White Law Group may be able to help.

It is being reported that James Ryan Lanier, 33, was arrested in San Diego, California, on fraud, money laundering, and identity theft charges relating to the embezzlement of more than $800,000 in funds from Merrill Lynch clients.

The 65-count indictment alleges that between 2008 and 2010, while working as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, Lanier transmitted fraudulent letters of authorization bearing forged client signatures to Merrill Lynch client associates who were responsible for processing wire transfers of client funds.

The letters purportedly contained false and misleading statements designed to induce the client associates to wire transfer funds from client investment accounts to bank accounts held and controlled by Lanier.

According to the indictment, Lanier purposely sought assistance from client associates who were unfamiliar with Lanier’s clients. In directing the transfers of these funds, Lanier falsely claimed that he had obtained voice approval from Merrill Lynch clients on a recorded telephone line.

The White Law Group is investigating the liability that Merrill Lynch may have for failure to properly supervise Lanier.  To the extent that it can be demonstrated that Merrill Lynch failed to properly supervise Lanier, the firm may be liable for the losses he incurred in carrying out this alleged scheme.

If you invested with James Ryan Lanier and would like to speak to a securities attorney about your potential to recover losses through Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration please call the firm’s Chicago office at 312-238-9650.

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 Boca Raton, Florida.

For more information on The White Law Group, please visit our website at http://whitesecuritieslaw.com.

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