• September 20, 2023
• Investment Network, Inc.

Vincent Pucciarelli Jr. (CRD#: 2039846) is a previously registered broker.

Broker’s Background

He entered the securities industry in 1996 and previously worked for J.W Barclay & Co., Inc.; Platinum Equities, Inc.; American Investment Services, Inc. (FINRA expelled the firm); Empire Financial Group, Inc. (FINRA expelled the firm); Brookstone Securities, Inc. (FINRA expelled the firm); Colorado Financial Service Corporation; Edi Financial, Inc. (FINRA expelled the firm); and Investment Network, Inc.

Current and Past Allegations of Conduct Leading to Investment Loss

According to publicly available records released by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), In June 21, 2023, in connection with an investigation into sales of “pre-IPO” private placement offerings, FINRA sent a request to Pucciarelli pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210 for on-the-record testimony. As stated by Pucciarelli in an email to FINRA on July 21, 2023, and by this agreement, Pucciarelli acknowledges that he received FINRA’s request and will not appear for on-the-record testimony at any time. By refusing to appear for on the-record testimony as requested pursuant to FINRA Rule 8210, Pucciarelli violated FINRA Rules 8210 and 2010. Accordingly, FINRA sanctioned Pucciarelli with a permanent bar from associating with any FINRA member in all capacities.

For a copy of the FINRA sanction, click here.

In addition, Vincent Pucciarelli has the been subject of several other disclosures, which include the following:

• August 2023—“Without admitting or denying the findings, Pucciarelli consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings that he refused to provide on-the-record testimony requested by FINRA in connection with an investigation into sales of pre-initial public offer (IPO) private placement offerings.” As a result, Investment Network, Inc. discharged him.
• November 2012—”Civil Judgment/Lien in the amount of $2,373.50.”
• November 2009—“Civil Judgment/Lien in the amount of $796.47.”

For a copy of Vincent Pucciarelli’s BrokerCheck, click here.

We Help Investors Recover Investment Losses

Financial advisors have a legal and regulatory obligation to recommend only suitable investments that are appropriate for their clients’ needs and objectives. Their employing brokerage firm has a legal and regulatory obligation to supervise the Financial Advisors’ sales practices and dealings with clients. To the extent any of these duties are breached, the customer may be entitled to a recovery of his or her investment losses.

Reasonable basis suitability requires that a recommended investment or investment strategy be suitable or appropriate for at least some investors. Reasonable basis suitability requires an advisor to conduct adequate due diligence so that he or she can determine the risks and rewards of the investment or investment strategy.

Quantitative suitability requires a brokerage firm or financial advisor with actual or de facto control over a customer’s account to have a reasonable basis for believing that a series of recommended transactions – even if suitable when viewed in isolation – is not excessive and unsuitable for the customer when taken together in light of the customer’s investment profile. No single test defines excessive activity, but factors such as the turnover rate, the cost-equity ratio, and the use of in-and-out trading in a customer’s account may provide a basis for a finding that a member or associated person has violated the quantitative suitability obligation.

Customer-specific suitability requires that a member or associated person have a reasonable basis to believe that the recommendation is suitable for a particular customer based on that customer’s investment profile. Among the criteria that a financial advisor must evaluate to satisfy his or her customer-specific suitability obligations include the investor’s age, tax status, time horizon, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance; a client’s other investments, financial situation and needs, investment objectives, and any other information disclosed by the customer should also be considered.

The Wolper Law Firm represents investors nationwide in securities litigation and arbitration on a contingency fee basis. Matt Wolper, the Managing Principal of the Wolper Law Firm, is a trial lawyer who has handled hundreds of securities cases during his career involving a wide range of products, strategies and securities. Prior to representing investors, he was a partner with a national law firm, where he represented some of the largest banks and brokerage firms in the world in securities matters. We can be reached at (800) 931-8452 or by email at mwolper@wolperlawfirm.com.