Brian Berger Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison, Barred by SEC
Have you lost money with financial advisor Brian Michael Berger of Fort Lauderdale, Florida? We are investigating allegations made by FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, against Brian Berger. Brian Berger was barred from the securities industry after he failed to respond to a FINRA investigation. FINRA was investigating Berger for allegations that he misappropriated or stole customer funds from elderly customers.
In January 2017, Brian Berger pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He was ordered to serve 18 months in jail and ordered to pay $372,000 in restitution.
In August 2017, Brian Berger was barred from the securities industry by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC primarily based its expulsion on Berger’s guilty plea.
Brian Berger was a financial advisor and registered representative of Newbridge Securities Corp. from April 2015 to June 2015. He was also a representative of MetLife Securities from July 2014 to April 2015, and with Wells Fargo Advisors from July 2010 to July 2014. He’s been the subject of three customer complaints.
Brokerage firms like Wells Fargo Advisors and MetLife Securities have a responsibility to adequately supervise all representatives who are registered through their firm. Brokerage firms also must take steps to ensure that their financial advisors follow all securities rules and regulations, as well as internal firm policies. When brokerage firms fail to adequately supervise their registered representatives, they may be liable for investment losses sustained by customers.
Israels & Neuman PLC is a securities and investment fraud law firm with offices in Denver, Colorado and the Seattle area. We represent investors in FINRA arbitration proceedings in all 50 states, including investors throughout Florida. Attorney David Neuman is licensed to practice law in Florida. Our attorneys have represented over one thousand investors against many brokerage firms in the past, including Wells Fargo and MetLife Securities.
Click to view: Berger, Brian Criminal Judgment
Click to view: Berger, Brian SEC Order
Click to view: Berger BrokerCheck 7.24.15
Click to view: Berger FINRA AWC
IF YOU LOST MONEY WITH BRIAN M. BERGER, WELLS FARGO ADVISORS, OR METLIFE SECURITIES, PLEASE CONTACT US AT 720-599-3505 FOR A FREE EVALUATION OF YOUR CASE.
Israels & Neuman, PLC is a private law firm and is not affiliated with any government or law enforcement agency. Any investigation referenced in this blog is independent in nature and is being conducted by our law firm privately, not in conjunction with any government or law enforcement agency. All information contained in this blog should be deemed statements of opinion derived from the author’s review of public records, not statements of fact. This blog is advertising material and does not create an attorney client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different and the question of whether or not you have a claim will vary on a case-by-case basis. In contingent representation, clients may still be liable for costs.