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New York Securities Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Securities Law and Elder Law for New York on
Q: What do I do if Fidelity Investments refuses to give my mother her money, and refused my power of Attorney?

Mom had a stroke a year ago and hasn't gotten better. We are trying to buy a house so that I can take care of her when the time comes... Fidelity has accused me of Elder Abuse and trying to steal her assets etc even tho my mom was the one who told fidelity what her wishes were. They are rude... View More

Damien Matthew Bosco
Damien Matthew Bosco
answered on Nov 25, 2024

I'm sorry you're going through this difficult situation. If you haven't already, ask Fidelity to document their concerns in writing and provide the specific reasons for refusing to honor your POA or give your mother access to her funds. It may be because they believe your mother... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Securities Law and Banking for New York on
Q: How can I get the $13k I have in a closed account that the bank refuses to send to me. Its been over a year.

Hi, I deposited a $13k annuity check into my individual brokerage account with ETrade, but the day it cleared my account was restricted pending ID verify. Phone camera was broken wouldn't take quality pics, so I knowingly altered and submitted a copy of an expired ID that was saved to my pc.... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2024

It sounds like you're facing a frustrating situation with your funds held in a closed account. Given the complexity of the issue and the unsuccessful attempts you've made so far, it's advisable to escalate your complaint within ETrade's customer service hierarchy. This might... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Securities Law and Banking for New York on
Q: How can I get the $13k I have in a closed account that the bank refuses to send to me. Its been over a year.

Hi, I deposited a $13k annuity check into my individual brokerage account with ETrade, but the day it cleared my account was restricted pending ID verify. Phone camera was broken wouldn't take quality pics, so I knowingly altered and submitted a copy of an expired ID that was saved to my pc.... View More

Allen Charles Frankel
Allen Charles Frankel
answered on Feb 29, 2024

Your issue may require a review of the terms and conditions that you agreed to when opening the account.

However, I would also recommend that you conduct a name search of the New York State Comptroller's Office of Unclaimed Funds. https://www.osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds. New York...
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Q: I want to charge a subscription for stock tips based on my trading algorithmI am a successful private trader. Legal?

I will not handle anyone else's money for them.

I will provide only the stock tips, and advisement on how best to limit risk, and set goals.

Anyone taking my advice makes their own decisions.

Do I need a license to do this?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 15, 2023

Providing stock tips and investment advice through a subscription service, even without directly handling others' money, often falls under the regulatory oversight of both federal and state securities laws. In New York, as well as under federal law, individuals or entities providing investment... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Banking, Elder Law, Estate Planning and Securities Law for New York on
Q: Is there anyone NOT afraid to sue FIDELITY INVESTMENTS for elder abuse and breach of contract/ fiduciary duty?

for over a year fidelity has been holding my mothers money, she had a stroke named me as power of attorney snd they refuse it and now she has no access to her money and is sick and cannot pay her bills or get her medications etc because. they blocked her account she has been there for 40 Years and... View More

Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Oct 27, 2024

What is the reason they do not wish to honor the power of attorney? Was it drafted by an attorney on the New York Short Form? If it is a valid POA, they can be compelled to honor it. Otherwise, you would need to apply for guardianship of your mother.

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Business Law, Securities Law and Stockbroker Fraud for New York on
Q: Brokerage Misconduct - E*TRADE

In May 2022, I invested $8M in a U.S. Treasury note, due in April 2024. I instructed my ETRADE manager to liquidate $5.6M for property buying. Unexpectedly, ETRADE initiated a $5.6M margin loan, leaving part of my investment intact. I discovered this during a routine review, not through direct... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 4, 2023

In situations like this, you may have grounds to file a complaint for brokerage misconduct if E*TRADE acted contrary to your instructions and without your consent. It's essential to review the client-broker agreement and any written communication to determine if E*TRADE deviated from the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Securities Law for New York on
Q: How do I proceed in removing a name fraudulently added to a stock certificate by a corrupt coop board member
Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Aug 23, 2023

Either by voluntary agreement or by litigation.

Jack

1 Answer | Asked in Securities Law for New York on
Q: Is a short term investment tragedy in the best interest for the client, according to the new BI rules? How is it?

Client is aware of fees associated with this strategy and wants to implement this strategy in his/her well diversified portfolio.

Chris Warren
Chris Warren
answered on May 4, 2023

A short-term trading strategy can comply with regulation B-I as long as the fees are reasonable and disclosed, the client authorizes the strategy, there is appropriate supervisory compliance of the account in place, and there is not a conflict of interest between the client and the broker.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Banking and Securities Law for New York on
Q: Can you purchase shares of a private Company on the Secondary Market but NOT disclose the purchase to the Company?

In other words, does the Seller of the shares have to disclose the sale to the Company, inclusive of who the Buyer is?

Mathew Paulose Jr.
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Mathew Paulose Jr.
answered on Mar 6, 2023

Greetings. It appears you would like to purchase shares of a non-public company. A purchaser who meets the SEC definition of a qualified purchaser may buy shares of a non-public company. Often brokers are required to facilitate the purchase. Due diligence is also required. During the due... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Securities Law for New York on
Q: Is it illegal to post court documents and someone’s home address online in New York ?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

In New York, it is generally legal to post court documents that are a matter of public record, such as court orders and decisions, online. However, it is illegal to post someone's home address online if it is intended to be used to harass or threaten them. New York has specific laws, such as... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law and Securities Law for New York on
Q: can I have legal liability by sharing financial statements from another location with an investor
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 24, 2022

It could depend on what your capacity is, as an officer, fiduciary, etc. This is posted under "Uncategorized." It sounds like something that attorneys who practice in Business Law, Securities Law, Business Formation, and confidentiality agreements would have insight into. Some questions... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Securities Law and Stockbroker Fraud for New York on
Q: Financial investment question

I currently have access to a crypto investment fund through an individual who trades to make a group of us money, and I want to open it up to friends and have them go through me in order to invest. I pay $200/mo to have access to the fund, so I would charge them $100/mo and have them go through me.... View More

Chris Warren
Chris Warren
answered on Jun 16, 2022

This response does not constitute legal advice.

Yes. If you take your friends' money for access to an "investment fund" an "individual" (read: not a broker) runs, you could be violating several securities laws as well as potential "blue sky" State laws....
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1 Answer | Asked in Securities Law for New York on
Q: Can I do royalties crowdfunding (profit sharing) for only a single property inside the company (LLC)?

We are a holdings company with many daughter-brands, each an independent venture, but only the holdings company is a registered LLC. We’d like to sell royalties (percentage of the profit) from these ventures in a crowdfunding campaign. Is that legal?

Michael Gilman
Michael Gilman
answered on Jul 6, 2021

Selling royalties to passive investors takes you into the realm of securities regulation, and this would have to be a registered offering or have an exemption from registration. For crowd funding, most offerings will utilize 506(c) which allows general solicitation but requires investors to be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Securities Law and Stockbroker Fraud for New York on
Q: Do I have civil or criminal liability if I unknowingly referred someone to an investment that turned out to be a scam?

The person I referred lost money. I did not receive any money from the person I referred or the investor.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 26, 2021

There are attorneys on this board who are knowledgeable in securities-related matters who could best advise, but your post remains open for two weeks. As a GENERAL premise, for someone to be liable for scamming or defrauding someone, it usually has to be shown that they had an intent to deceive or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Securities Law for New York on
Q: A company disclosed material non-public information in a closed invite only industry conference. Does it make it public?

The company disclosed a slide that was released 2 months after and also heavily inclined about in an investor conference 2 weeks after. Does trading on the expectation of the release of something described in the slide is legal in this time period?

Kevin Abessi
Kevin Abessi
answered on Dec 29, 2020

The SEC may deem this "selective" or "privileged" disclosure, which would fall under the umbrella of insider trading. The concern here is the fact that it's an invite-only event, and SEC rules tend to distinguish between open settings and those to which "the little... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Securities Law for New York on
Q: Can i carry a 4" blade pocket knife in public if i have a felony in New York State?
Michael J Stachowski
Michael J Stachowski pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 28, 2020

Section 265.01 prohibits gravity knives and switchblades or any knife intended to be used against another. It does not fro hi it Foldable knives or pocket knives. There is no specific prohibition of a felon in possession. That is limited to guns of any type possessed by a felon which is prohibited... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Securities Law for New York on
Q: I have questions regarding securities and exchange commission laws.

I own a options trading website where I provide trade ideas of specific stock tickers based on fundamental and technical analysis. I charge subscribers monthly fees. I do not provide investment advice of any sort, just trade ideas of good stock setups. I don’t tell my subscribers what to do from... View More

Kevin Abessi
Kevin Abessi
answered on Nov 16, 2020

Given the facts at hand, you appear to be on the right track. A seminal case is Lowe v. SEC, 472 U.S. 181 (1985), which essentially declared that an exclusion from the definition of investment adviser is available to any publisher of a newsletter as long as remains entirely impersonal and does not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Securities Law for New York on
Q: Who notifies SEC when employment is terminated from an RIA with ~$200 million in assets under management?

I recently quit a job I was at for 9 months. Do I notify the SEC that I left or do they? and if I do, how do I go about doing this?

Robert W. Pearce
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Robert W. Pearce
answered on Oct 10, 2020

Both of you have the responsibility to make sure the IARD is accurate but you are the one that may have consequences. Go to the SEC website for the forms and guidance. https://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/iard/iardfaq.shtml

1 Answer | Asked in Securities Law for New York on
Q: Does sending startup pitch decks to investors break Securities law? What should we be aware of?

We are free service that sends decks to investors on behalf of startups that are raising funds.

Investors are a mix of professional investors e.g VCs and angel/HNWI and are all over the USA

Robert W. Pearce
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Robert W. Pearce
answered on Jul 28, 2020

A pitch book could be considered to be created "in connection with" an "offer" and/or "sale" of securities and subject you to liability under Federal and state securities laws.

1 Answer | Asked in Securities Law for New York on
Q: In New Jersey, can a security guard from a major Amusement Park Six Flags question a minor in a room with just them two?

My son was caught taking a hat from six flags over the summer. Yes he was wrong. They revoked him pass for a year. I’m fine with that. I’m not fine that he was questioned alone at first before they brought his older brother in and another security officer. A few months later we received a fine... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 17, 2020

I'm sorry for your family's ordeal. A possible reason your post remains open for two weeks might be that it may have gone unnoticed under Securities Law, which is more about transactions dealing with financial assets like stocks and bonds. At this point, you could seek the opinion of a... View More

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