FINRA Permanently Bars Former American Portfolios Broker Peter Lawrence
The White Law Group is investigating potential claims on behalf of investors who worked with Peter Lawrence while he was registered with American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. FINRA has permanently barred Peter Thomas Lawrence (CRD# 2695687) from the securities industry after he allegedly refused to cooperate with an investigation into claims that he forged a customer’s signature. If you invested with Lawrence and believe you suffered losses, contact our FINRA arbitration attorneys today for a free consultation.
The Bar: What FINRA’s AWC Says
According to a FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) dated February 19, 2026 (Case No. 2023079905502), Lawrence consented, without admitting or denying the findings, to a permanent bar in all capacities. FINRA found that he failed to provide documents and failed to appear for on-the-record testimony in connection with an investigation that included allegations he forged a customer’s signature. The investigation grew out of a customer’s statement of claim alleging Lawrence made unsuitable product recommendations and provided inaccurate portfolio summaries.
Suspension vs. Bar: Two Separate FINRA Actions
Lawrence’s record shows two distinct regulatory events, and they shouldn’t be confused with each other. FINRA first suspended him in all capacities starting October 28, 2024, after he allegedly failed to respond to an earlier request for information; that suspension was lifted on January 14, 2025, once he responded. The permanent bar is a separate, later action tied to the forgery investigation, and unlike the 2024 suspension, it is indefinite: Lawrence cannot return to the securities industry.
Customer Complaints Against Peter Lawrence
Beyond the FINRA bar, Lawrence’s BrokerCheck record discloses 17 customer disputes. Eleven were settled for a combined total of roughly $380,810, and most involve variable annuities. Allegations across these matters include forged signatures used to purchase or transfer annuities, unauthorized trades and transfers made without customer knowledge or consent, misrepresentation of variable annuity terms, and unsuitable recommendations. One customer dispute involving forged suitability documents for mutual fund purchases remains pending as of this report.
Because these are allegations that were denied, settled, or otherwise resolved without an adjudication of wrongdoing, The White Law Group is not asserting the underlying facts as established.
Lawrence’s Discharge from American Portfolios
American Portfolios Financial Services discharged Lawrence on October 27, 2023. The firm’s disclosure states that, among other deficiencies, he provided a client with unapproved reporting statements that contained inaccuracies.
Employment History
Lawrence, who has roughly 30 years in the securities industry, was registered with the following firms:
- American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (Hauppauge, NY) — January 2019 to November 2023
- Questar Capital Corporation (Hauppauge, NY) — December 2006 to January 2019
- USAllianz Securities, Inc. (Hauppauge, NY) — January 2005 to December 2006
- Pruco Securities, LLC (Newark, NJ) — May 2000 to January 2005
- American Express Financial Advisors / IDS Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN) — March 1996 to May 2000
He is not currently registered as a broker or investment adviser with any firm.
American Portfolios and Osaic Wealth’s Duty to Supervise
Broker-dealers like American Portfolios, now part of Osaic Wealth following its 2022 acquisition, are required to reasonably supervise their registered representatives, including monitoring for red flags like forged documents, unauthorized transactions, and repeated customer complaints. When a firm fails to catch or act on those warning signs, it can be held liable for failing to supervise, even if it did not personally forge or approve the documents at issue.
Recovering Investment Losses Tied to Peter Lawrence
Investors who believe they lost money due to Lawrence’s alleged conduct while he was registered with American Portfolios may be able to recover those losses through FINRA arbitration. American Portfolios and its parent, Osaic Wealth, can potentially be held responsible for failing to supervise Lawrence, even for conduct the firm did not know about in advance.
Contact The White Law Group
The White Law Group is a national securities fraud attorneys with offices in Chicago and Seattle. If you have concerns about investments you made with Peter Lawrence, call us today at (888) 637-5510 for a free consultation, or contact us online. You can also learn more about the process on our FINRA arbitration attorney page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I file a claim to recover money I invested through Peter Lawrence?
Most brokerage account agreements typically contain a pre-dispute arbitration clause, so claims against a broker like Lawrence are generally filed and resolved through FINRA arbitration rather than in court. Arbitration can still result in a monetary recovery, and an attorney can help evaluate whether you have a claim.
2. What does it mean that Lawrence allegedly forged signatures and made unauthorized trades, and why does it matter for my investment?
Forging a customer’s signature or executing trades without authorization means the investor never actually agreed to the transaction. It matters because it bypasses a client’s ability to evaluate whether a product like a variable annuity fits their needs, which increases the risk that an unsuitable or costly investment ends up in the account.
3. Can American Portfolios or Osaic Wealth be held responsible for my losses, even though the firm didn’t know about the forged documents?
Yes, potentially. Firms have a duty to supervise their brokers, and a firm can be held liable for failing to detect or prevent misconduct like forgery or unauthorized trading, even if it did not know about the specific transaction in advance.
