The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. is currently investigating Berthel Fisher and Company Financial Services, Inc. in connection with a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) complaint against TNP Securities LLC alleging fraud and deceit by Thompson National Properties LLC upon high-yield promissory notes purchasers. The three note programs at the heart of FINRA’s complaint are the TNP 12% Notes Program LLC, the TNP 2008 Participating Notes Program LLC and the TNP Profit Participation Program LLC. Thompson National Properties had provided a purported guarantee of principal and interest for the notes when they were sold. However, neither the private placement memorandums (PPMs) for the three offerings nor their supplements disclosed the likelihood that Thompson National Properties would not be able to meet the guarantees of principal and interest. According to the complaint, one of those series of private notes is in default, while two others have stopped making payments to clients.
Tony Thompson started Thompson National Properties in 2008, eventually raising $250 million from investors through a series of real-estate-related offerings. One of those is a struggling non-traded real estate investment trust, TNP Strategic Retail Trust Inc., which eliminated its dividend to investors this year. Mr. Thompson and TNP Securities allegedly violated Section 10b-5 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as well as FINRA Rule 2020, which prohibits the use of manipulative, deceptive or other fraudulent devices by registered representatives and broker-dealers. They are also allegedly in violation of FINRA Rule 2010, which requires registered reps and broker-dealers to adhere to a high standard of commercial honor and trade.
Thompson National Properties sold their note programs through a number of independent broker-dealers such as Berthel Fisher and Company Financial Services. Prior to marketing and selling the notes, Berthel Fisher and Company Financial Services was required to conduct adequate due diligence, which involves an analysis of the legitimacy, nature, and risks associated with the investment, or it could be liable to investors for damages. Independent broker-dealers are notorious for their lax supervisory practices and procedures, which oftentimes leaves investors vulnerable to sales of securities that have not been reviewed or authorized by anyone other than the sales representative earning a commission.
Have you suffered losses in your Berthel Fisher and Company Financial Services, Inc. account due to TNP 12% Notes Program, TNP 2008 Participating Notes Program, TNP Profit Participation Program, and or TNP Strategic Retail Trust investments? If so, call Robert Pearce at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. for a free consultation. Mr. Pearce is accepting clients with valid claims against Berthel Fisher and Company Financial Services, Inc. for Thompson National Properties LLC notes investment losses.
The most important of investors’ rights is the right to be informed! This Investors’ Rights blog post is by the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., located in Boca Raton, Florida. For over , Attorney Pearce has tried, arbitrated, and mediated hundreds of disputes involving complex securities, commodities and investment law issues. The lawyers at our law firm are devoted to protecting investors’ rights throughout the United States and internationally! Please visit our website, www.secatty.com, post a comment, call (800) 732-2889, or email Mr. Pearce at pearce@rwpearce.com for answers to any of your questions about this blog post and/or any related matter.