Emerson Equity / Inspired Healthcare Loss
Inspired Healthcare (IHC) Delaware Statutory Trusts (DST) such as Eatonton, Carson Valley and San Marcos, and Emerson Equity Bridge Fund I are securities invested in IHC. All are retailed by Emerson Equity. As such, Emerson Equity had an obligation to conduct a reasonable investigation into IHC. We are investigating whether such reasonable investigation should have discovered the widespread fraud at IHC. If so, Emerson is responsible for the loss.
Jeffrey Pederson currently represents individuals suffering such losses.
Inspired Healthcare Capital sent investors a letter stating that it is suspending distributions. This is likely due to a fraud of it and its executives. Plaintiffs in that prior suit alleged that IHC and executives misrepresented their financial condition in connection with seeking a loan.
Securities brokerage firms, like Emerson, have a duty to conduct reasonable due diligence for the investments that they sell. Emerson failed to discover such wrongdoing despite the widespread nature of the fraud.
Emerson asserts that it is seeking recovery for its investors. There is a low possibility that Emerson’s action will be successful. As with similar fraud, the loss is primarily due to the failure of brokerages to discover the fraud on the front end. Additionally, IHC is likely insolvent and its executives, such as Luke Lee, will not likely be able to pay new civil judgments. Investor recovery will likely only come from a suit against Emerson or others selling the IHC interests.
Emerson brokers selling this investment include Ryan Finch. Finch operates out of the office in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
Jeffrey Pederson represents defrauded investors and has successfully doing so for over 20 years from Greenwood Village. Please call for more information.
Point Bonita Loss
We are investigating negligence and fraud for investors suffering Point Bonita loss. The Jefferies Financial Group concentrated Point Bonita in First Brands. First Brands declared bankruptcy in October 2025. The Justice Department is investigating criminal activity contributing to the First Brands collapse.
Preliminary investigation points to accounting irregularities at First Brands. This includes off-balance-sheet financial activities for the auto parts entity. Brokers selling Point Bonita, or anything related to First Brands, are required to conduct due diligence into the finances of First Brands. Due diligence is to discover such irregularities. Investors would not suffer such loss if selling brokers conducted reasonable due diligence.
The Wall Street Journal reports that over $2 billion in investor funds are unaccounted for. Jefferies should have seen the underlying fraud. It touted the financing relationship it had with First Brands in marketing material. Working with First Brands for years on a variety of financing issues, Jefferies knew First Brands finances. Despite this, Jefferies misrepresented or turned a blind eye to issues concerning First Brand’s finances such as misrepresenting First Brand’s debt by billions.
Point Bonita is quickly deteriorating. Large investors are withdrawing funds while small investors are left holding the bag. Investors will likely need to speak to an experienced attorney to recoup their losses.
Jeffrey Pederson represents investors. In this capacity, he handles due diligence cases and has successfully done so for decades. Please contact for more information.
Javelin Securities
Massachusetts regulators accuse Javelin Securities of multiple securities violations between 2020 and 2024. This includes: (1) failing to make proper disclosures in connection with sale of private securities; (2) employing and failing to adequately supervise an individual barred from the securities industry; and (3) failing to maintain proper books and records.
During the time identified above, Javelin used OZCM’s website (OzoneCapMarkets.com) to sell private placement securities. OZCM listed information concerning private placement and Opportunity Zone deals, including initially certain deals with no relationship to Javelin and then later deals connected to Javelin. The website indicated that it was an “independent consultant.” The site, however, was related to Javelin and served to increase Javelin’s commissions.
Javelin also hired a person barred from the industry to consult OZCM. Regulators previously convicted this person on numerous conspiracy and fraud charges. Javelin hired this person to consult on OZCM matters shortly after authorities released the person from prison, per the regulatory complaint.
Jeffrey Pederson represents investors. Contact him with questions about this or other areas of investor protection.
Henry Paul Regan
The US Attorney charged Henry Paul Regan with running a fraudulent scheme. This Ponzi-like scheme victimized hundreds. The scheme created losses of over $50 million. The charges concern Next Level notes.
“Paul Regan allegedly defrauded over 300 investors of more than $60 million through false promises of protected investments and guaranteed returns while using these deposits to quietly repay other entities,” per the FBI. “This alleged scheme was shrouded in deceit to entice hundreds of clients before ultimately betraying their confidence and their savings. The FBI will continue to investigate all widespread schemes exploiting the wallets of victims, regardless of where the defendant may be located.”
From at least 2022, Regan and his team of defrauded hundreds of investors through two entities, Next Level and Yield. Regan made false and misleading statements for both. Regan and his co-conspirators misrepresented how Next Level and Yield would use investors’ money. He also misrepresented protections investors would have against losses. These misrepresentations fraudulently induced over 300 people to invest more than $60 million in the Next Level and Yield investment products. When investigators eventually exposed the fraud, Regan closed Next Level and Yield. The closure left investors with over $50 million in losses.
Jeffrey Pederson defends investors. Call for information on this or other investment fraud.
Sean Sullivan of Aegis Capital
On June 24 and 28, 2022, regulators allege Sean Sullivan placed 14 trades of more than $250,000 in the accounts of four customers without their authorization. Also, from April 2 to July 28, 2022, Sullivan willfully failed to amend his public record (CRD) to disclose a felony charge.
On June 24, 2022, after Sullivan became the broker assigned to Customer A’s account. Sullivan executed three stock purchases totaling $8,971 plus commissions of $270 and other costs in the account. Customer A did not authorize Sullivan to execute these stock trades.
Additionally, on June 28, 2022, after Sullivan became the broker assigned to Customer B’s accounts. Sullivan executed five stock purchases totaling $49,062 plus commissions of $1,200 and other costs, and three stock sales totaling $49,591 plus commissions of $250 and other costs.
On June 28, 2022, after Sullivan became a broker assigned to Customer C’s account. Sullivan executed a stock sale for $7,807 plus a commission of $272 and other costs in the account. Customer C did not authorize Sullivan to execute that trade.
Further, Sullivan did not just commit fraud with churning. On March 2, 2022, the State of New York issued a felony complaint charging Sullivan with burglary in the first degree. Sullivan did not report this charge to his employer or allow it to be on his public disclosure.
This is a continuation of a history of alleged wrongdoing. Sullivan has ten disclosures, incidents evidencing an inability to manage funds, on his record.
Jeffrey Pederson represents investors victimized by bad brokers. Call to discuss losses with Sullivan or other brokers.
Ian Bell Fraud
On December 10, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Denver resident Ian Bell with securities fraud for lying to investors and misappropriating their funds in connection with a fraudulent day-trading scheme.
Bell pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and another for money laundering in connection with this matter. Under a plea agreement, he agreed to serve three years in prison.
The SEC’s complaint alleged that, between July 2020 and March 2023, Bell raised more than $1.3 million from at least 29 investors, including professional athletes in Colorado, who are unidentified in the complaint. The SEC alleges that Bell lied to investors about his trading performance, including by sending fabricated account performance screenshots.
According to the complaint, several of Bell’s investors referred family and friends to Bell because of the false statements. The SEC further alleges that Bell lost nearly all of the investors’ money. Bell then kept hundreds of thousands of dollars for his personal use. To conceal his fraud, Bell lied to investors about repayments.
The SEC’s complaint charges Bell with violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. Federal prosecutors filed this complaint in the U.S. District Court for Colorado.
“Bell portrayed himself as a successful investment advisor and preyed on innocent victims for personal gain,” stated the prosecutor at sentencing. Federal officials also stated, “Bell defrauded innocent victims who had placed their trust in him and subsequently suffered financial losses and undue emotional stress.”
Bell is known for targeting professional athletes with his scam. The scam was not limited to professional athletes.
Jeffrey Pederson helps defrauded investors in Colorado.
Callable Note Loss
Callable note loss is something that can destroy the savings of an investor. Investors, though, may have recourse for the inappropriate recommendation of these investments.
Callable notes, especially auto-callable structured notes, are complex financial instruments that may not be suitable for all investors. FINRA, the regulator overseeing securities brokerages, has repeatedly reminded professionals of the complexity and risk of structured notes, including auto-callable notes, in its suitability rules and investor alerts. The same is true of the SEC.
FINRA ordered Stifel to pay $132 million award to investors over such structured investments in March of 2025. This is the second highest investor award in the history of FINRA.
On July 23, 2025, an investor of Diana M. Leon, of Osaic Wealth, lodged a customer complaint. The customer alleges that callable note purchases were poorly recommended and unsuitable.
FINRA suitability, under Reg BI, analysis is two-fold: 1) Reasonable-Basis Suitability, ensuring that a recommended security is suitable for at least some investors; and 2) Customer-Specific Suitability, determining whether a recommendation is appropriate for a particular customer based on their financial situation and objectives.
Jeffrey Pederson represents investors in suitability cases and has done so for over 20 years. Please contact if you wish to discuss.
Michael McFeeley Oil Investment Loss Recovery
LPL broker and CFP Michael McFeeley is the subject of numerous legal actions and complaints. The subject is oil and gas investments. Allegations are that LPL, through McFeeley, sold the investments inappropriately and without sufficient investigation. McFeeley is with the Academy Financial office of LPL located in Lutherville, MD.
Currently the subject of nine customer disputes, investors accuse McFeeley and his firm of inappropriate oil and gas recommendations. Oil and gas investments suitable only for a small section of the investing public. Additionally, investments must undergo investigation with due diligence by a brokerage to be sold to any investor. This latter requirement is the crux of the dispute.
McFeeley holds himself out as a CFP, Certified Financial Planner, on his website. A financial advisor who has met the CFP Board’s education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements. Their responsibilities generally fall into three main areas: 1) Client-centered fiduciary duty; 2) Financial planning and advice; and 3) Ongoing monitoring and compliance. In short, a CFP’s responsibility is to deliver holistic, ethical, and fiduciary-level financial advice to help clients manage all aspects of their financial lives.
Further, McFeeley asserts “We treat our clients’ wealth and planning needs as if it was our own and act as a catalyst to accomplish their goals from a cross disciplinary perspective.” The investors assert that LPL and McFeeley did not reach this standard.
Please contact Jeffrey Pederson with issues concerning oil and gas investments. He has helped his clients recover tens of millions of dollars over the last 25 years.
Isaak Bond Investments
On, July 7, 2025, Isaak Bond Investments (IBI) entered into a settlement with regulators for failing to be adequately capitalized. FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, issued the Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) censuring and fining IBI $20,000. Without admitting or denying the findings, the Lakewood, Colorado-based IBI consented to the sanctions.
FINRA’s findings state that IBI and another entity traded municipal securities between them. The IBI sold the securities to the street and took the gain or loss on each trade. Despite assuming the gains and losses of these positions, the firm did not treat these securities as being part of its inventory of marketable securities.
Consequently, the firm failed to take the required haircuts for securities positions held by the firm in its net capital computations. The Exchange Act requires brokerages to apply certain reductions of its assets, or “haircuts,” in the calculation of assets. This includes reducing the value of securities in its inventory. Failure to apply such haircuts resulted in inaccurate net capital computations for IBI. Regulators require brokerages to have threshold levels of net capitalization. These capitalization thresholds ensure sufficient financial health. Incorrect calculations create a false image.
The findings also stated that the firm failed to preserve accurate records. This includes records of its net capital contained in its FOCUS report. When the firm failed to take the correct haircuts in its net capital computations, it recorded its inaccurate net capital on its general ledger.
Further, the firm’s FOCUS filings were inaccurate in all 23 months between January 2022 and November 2023. Correct books and records are essential to investor protection. In addition, the IBI failed to file with FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a same-day notification of its net capital deficiency. The firm became aware of its net capital deficiency on October 22, 2024. However, the firm failed to file the required financial notification until November 27, 2024. IBI also failed to conduct an annual independent test of its anti-money laundering (AML) compliance program.
We are a firm that protects investors. Contact us to discuss problems with the management of your savings.
Centurian Apartment REIT
On September 15, 2025, Centurian Apartment REIT, the $7.9 billion real estate investment trust, limited investor redemptions. This is the report of Canadian news outlets. If true, this REIT focusing on Canadian residential real estate may jeopardize the holdings of many investors. This is especially true of those needing the investment for income or liquidity.
FINRA, the financial industry regulatory authority, warns advisors of the perils of REIT investing and has been doing so for years. The risks are many. Despite these risks, may advisors recommend REITs. These risks include illiquidity, loss of value quickly, inability to determine whether the REIT is being mismanaged and abrupt cessation of dividends.
Advisors often overlook those risks because of the high commissions paid by REITs. Some REITs pay commissions 10 to 15 times higher than a publicly traded share of common stock.
Jeffrey Pederson represents investors. Please contact us if you have questions of whether your advisor sold a REIT or other investment incorrectly.