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Posts Tagged ‘Richard Greenfield’

FINRA Board to Form Committee to Review Claims of Schapiro Misconduct

Posted by Larry Doyle on February 12th, 2010 4:53 PM |

When in doubt, form a committee and have more meetings. This rope-a-dope style of leadership is all too prevalent in our nation. Why is it that the Wall Street-Washington incest can not be exposed for what it really is? When will somebody in our country display integrity and leadership while acknowledging the existence and stench of this incest?

Recall that the board of FINRA was meeting this past Wednesday to address allegations of misconduct by Mary Schapiro and other FINRA execs. Although the media has presented this meeting as merely addressing questions of excessive compensation for Ms. Schapiro and others, the allegations of misconduct made by attorneys for Amerivet Securities run far deeper than that.

These allegations address the following: (more…)

FINRA Board to Address Allegations of Schapiro Misconduct

Posted by Larry Doyle on February 4th, 2010 11:40 AM |

Are the wagons circling around Mary Schapiro and her former FINRA colleagues?

Regular readers of Sense on Cents are familiar with the issues and concerns I have raised repeatedly with Wall Street’s self-regulator, FINRA. I continue to believe the issues embedded within this self-regulatory organization lie near the heart of what I deem the Wall Street-Washington nexus.

Perhaps America will learn more about these issues soon. Why? Next week, FINRA’s Board of Directors will address alleged wrongdoings by Ms. Schapiro et al. What are the issues?   (more…)

Sense on Cents 2009 Halls of Fame and Shame

Posted by Larry Doyle on January 4th, 2010 9:47 AM |

For those who missed last evening’s No Quarter Radio’s Sense on Cents with Larry Doyle Hall of Fame and Shame Induction, I am compelled to provide a recap and listing of all those honored or dishonored — depending on one’s perspective. What was the measuring stick to make these assessments? Very simply, the pursuit and promotion of truth, transparency and integrity as we navigate the economic landscape.

Some names you will immediately recognize, others you may not. Additional information about these individuals can be found via the search window (located above the right sidebar) at Sense on Cents. The names appear in no specific order of priority or importance. With no further adieu . . .

Sense on Cents 2009 Hall of Shame Inductees

1. Bernie Madoff
2. Nicholas Cosmo: ran financial scam at Agape World
3. Tim Geithner: tax cheat amongst other things
4. Larry Summers: arrogant, condescending, and sleep deprived
5. Auction-Rate Securities dealers and managers, especially Oppenheimer Holdings, E-Trade, Schwab, Pimco, Van-Kampen, Blackrock
6. The Wall Street Journal
7. George Soros
8. Chris Dodd (D-CT): reasons too numerous to mention
9. The Board of FINRA
10. Franklin Raines and Leland Brendsel: former CEOs of Fannie and Freddie
11. Wall Street management, especially Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs
12. Frank Dipascali: a special place in hell for Madoff’s CFO
13. Rahm Emanuel
14. Jimmy Cayne: CEO of Bear Stearns
15. Dick Fuld: CEO of Lehman Bros.
16. Congress collectively
17. Barney Frank (D-MA): reasons too numerous to mention, but start with “I want to roll the dice…”
18. Bank Stress Tests: a total sham
19. Allen Stanford
20. Steven Rattner: car czar
21. Bruce Malkenhorst: receiving a 500k pension from Vernon, CA
22. Barack Obama: just another politician (more…)

Financial Regulatory Reform Overlooks the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

Posted by Larry Doyle on December 13th, 2009 11:36 AM |

Only in Washington could the promotion and passage of a piece of legislation known as Financial Regulatory Reform overlook the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

How could this happen? What does it mean? Why haven’t legislators and large parts of the media questioned this reality?

I am not saying that there are not significant elements of the reform bill passed by Congress that are not necessary. But I am questioning how and why a piece of legislation that strikes at the core of the financial industry can possibly wind its way through Congress without ever addressing FINRA, the entity charged with overseeing Wall Street and protecting investors.

Our country not only needs effective and strong financial regulatory practices but, much more importantly, our country needs effective and strong financial regulatory practitioners.

Let’s return to my questions. How could this happen? What does it mean? Why haven’t legislators and large parts of the media questioned this reality?

The fact is, Congress intentionally overlooks the ineffective practitioners of financial regulation because it would expose the extensive incest amidst the financial industry, the regulatory authority, and Washington.

If Washington truly wanted to inspire confidence in financial regulatory reform and send a strong message to America that it is seriously motivated to clean up Wall Street, our leaders would publicly support the lawsuits pending against FINRA.

Regular readers of Sense on Cents know the particulars of these lawsuits well. For newer readers, I am referring to the following: (more…)

Why Do We Need a Multi-Agency Financial Fraud Task Force?

Posted by Larry Doyle on November 18th, 2009 12:45 PM |

Should we take heart that the Obama administration is creating a multi-agency Financial Fraud Task Force? While there is no doubt there are massive frauds in the system, the mere creation of a task force does not necessarily mean the frauds will be rooted out. Why? If the agencies involved in the task force are themselves fundamentally and structurally flawed, then frauds will continue. If the agencies merely failed to execute or perform then perhaps this task force will expose those deficiencies and lessen fraudulent activities.

Which agencies will be involved in this task force? The Securities Industry News reports, U.S. Launches Multi-Agency Task Force to Prosecute Financial Fraud:

The task force will be led by the Department of Justice and chaired by Attorney General Eric Holder Jr., but will also include senior officials from the Department of Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Reserve System and other major federal agencies.

Thus, this task force would seem to consist of all government agencies while being led by AG Eric Holder and the Department of Justice. What does Mr. holder have to say? (more…)

Barrons, New York Times, and Sense on Cents All Request Transparency From FINRA

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 23rd, 2009 1:19 PM |

The drive for transparency in our financial regulatory system is gaining momentum. How so?

The complaint brought on behalf of Standard Investment Chartered v FINRA, NYSE Group, Mary Schapiro et al is receiving increased interest. As well it should. Why? As I have always maintained, for confidence to return to our markets and economy, it is imperative that we have transparency in our financial regulators and regulation.

In regard to this case, I wrote a Letter to Judge Jed Rakoff in re: Benchmark and Standard Investment Chartered v. FINRA on Thursday October 15th. I wrote:

. . . having attended the hearing in your chambers on October 6th on the above referenced case (I was the only member of the public or the press in attendance), I would request that you release unredacted documents pertaining to these complaints. The release of those unredacted documents would be of real public service. That service entails the ongoing public cry for real transparency in our financial industry at this time. That cry for so many of our citizens seems to go unheeded all too often. I could share dozens of comments left at my site echoing that cry.

I truly believe if a real measure of confidence in our markets and our economy is to return, it must be based on true transparency and integrity. While I have written extensively on the lack of transparency and integrity in our country, I don’t pretend to think that my site will change the landscape on this front immediately. That said, I am never discouraged to continue digging deeper, writing more, and asking the hard questions. On this front, I sincerely hope the adjudication of this case will highlight these qualities for all to see.

Barrons actually beat me to the punch and had requested a release of the same unredacted documents in a communication sent to Judge Rakoff on October 5th. Those interested in Barron’s request written by Jim McTague, the Washington D.C. editor, can access it here.

Today I learn that The New York Times is making the same request of FINRA. Stephen Labaton, senior writer for The New York Times in Washington D. C., made his request of Judge Rakoff this past Wednesday, October 21st. Those interested in the NYT request can access it here.

The drive for transparency in our financial regulatory system continues. With Barrons and The New York Times on board, that drive is gaining steam.

The American public deserves nothing less than total transparency and integrity in its markets, regulations, and regulators.

LD

Related Sense on Cents Commentary:

Nasdaq Sale: Why Would Schapiro and FINRA Execs Lie? (October 22, 2009)
Attorney Richard Greenfield Brands Mary Schapiro and FINRA Execs as “Liars”
(October 19, 2009)

NASDAQ Sale: Why Would Schapiro and FINRA Execs Lie?

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 22nd, 2009 10:50 AM |

Writing about the integrity, or lack thereof, of a senior governmental official and other high ranking financial regulators is a serious topic. Given the seriousness of this topic, I do not treat it lightly. For newer readers here at Sense on Cents, I am referring to the commentary I wrote this past Monday entitled, Attorney Richard Greenfield Brands Mary Schapiro and FINRA Execs As “Liars.”

If in fact Ms. Schapiro and her FINRA colleagues lied, what was their motivation? We learn more about this amazing financial intrigue as on Tuesday a redacted version of a Second Amended Complaint brought on behalf of Standard Investment Chartered and all others similary situated  v FINRA, NYSE Group, Mary L. Schapiro, Richard F. Brueckner, T. Grant Callery, Todd Diganci, and Howard M. Schloss was made public.

Recall that the core of this complaint is a charge made by plaintiffs against defendants regarding the inappropriate allocation of proceeds generated from the sale of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. That sale generated approximately $1.5 billion. FINRA paid out $35k per firm to approximately 5100 member firms for a total of approximately $175 million.

Why would the defendants be motivated to withhold the balance or a large percentage of the balance of those funds from the member firms? (more…)

Attorney Richard Greenfield Brands Mary Schapiro and FINRA Execs as “Liars”

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 19th, 2009 10:09 AM |

Is Mary Schapiro a liar? Are other FINRA executives also liars?

Fully appreciating that merely asking these questions is aggressive by its very nature, I do not ask them in a derisive fashion. The fact is, the answer to those questions in the eyes of Richard Greenfield is an unequivocal, “Yes!”

Who is Richard Greenfield? I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with Richard last evening on my weekly Sunday evening radio program. Richard Greenfield of Greenfield & Goodman is an attorney with over 40 years of experience in banking, securities, and consumer litigation. Amongst other legal venues, Attorney Greenfield has been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Our conversation last evening was riveting. If you have an interest in the markets, our economy, developments on Wall Street and in Washington, I strongly encourage you to listen to the interview in its entirety. I will share with you some of the highlights which Richard provided.  (The timing I provide for these highlights can be used in the audio player provided here.)

16:40: FINRA’s mindset has never been on major league enforcement, but rather relatively picayune broker-dealer violations and even then the violations are more technical than they are real. Greenfield said, “the big boys always seem to get away with murder.”

18:30: The NASD coming out of the 1930s initially did a good job, but over time it became less and less concerned with enforcement and more concerned with the appearance of enforcement.

20:00: Most state attorneys general don’t have resources to devote to securities regulations. It’s the rare state, California and New York for example, which undertakes real enforcement activities. (LD’s comment: I would add that Massachusetts has also aggressively undertaken serious enforcement of securities regulation.)

22:00: Too Much Wall Street money finds its way into campaign warchests with the result that its special interests rival those of the insurance and defense industries and as a result Congress and many state government initiatives have been subverted.

25:00: Every major financial institution has ‘cooked their books’ for the last five years.

At the 29 minute mark or thereabouts,  our conversation truly elevates from the general nature of financial regulation to the very specific details of the cases Richard Greenfield and colleagues from the Washington D.C. based firm of Cuneo, Gilbert, and LaDuca are bringing against FINRA. I STRONGLY encourage you to listen to the next twenty minutes.

29:30: Greenfield provides background information on the complaint filed on behalf of the California based FINRA member firm, Standard Investment Chartered against FINRA.

32:0044:00:
Greenfield comments on some interesting connections between Bernie Madoff and Mary Schapiro, former head of FINRA and current head of the SEC.

Documents provided by the NASD (now known as FINRA) to Greenfield and his colleagues show unequivocally that the NASD defendants lied to the NASD member firms regarding distribution of funds from the sale of the Nasdaq. Greenfield reiterates that these individuals lied blatantly and unequivocally. They intentionally lied. The lies are repeated over and over in a proxy statement provided to the member firms. The lies were repeated at roadshows which took place all around the country.

Who is they? Who lied? Who repeated the lies?

Mary Schapiro and senior officers in the NASD (FINRA)!!!

> The primary lie is the misrepresentation of the maximum proceeds that could have been paid to the NASD member firms. That figure was represented as being $35k when in fact it could have been much, much higher.

> Greenfield also highlights the fact that FINRA failed to perform in protecting investors from the Auction-Rate Securities scandal while liquidating its own ARS investment position in 2007.

> Greenfield sheds some light that he believes New York AG Andrew Cuomo is investigating FINRA’s liquidation of its Auction-Rate Securities investment.

>47:00

– Greenfield repeats his assertion initially made on September 3rd while appearing on America’s Nightly Scoreboard on Fox Business News (video clips can be seen here) that, based upon information and belief obtained from a source which Greenfield and colleagues believe to be reliable, FINRA had made investments with Bernie Madoff!!

– Greenfield believes that FINRA may have to be disbanded and the self-regulation of Wall Street may have to be scrapped because the self-regulatory model for this industry has failed.

– Greenfield concludes that Mary Schapiro talks a tough game, but is truly a non-regulator.

While Greenfield makes some serious allegations and charges in the course of this interview, he has unquestioned credibility and experience which comes from 40 years of fighting these battles.

Will the truth and transparency being sought in these complaints and which the American public so badly needs at this time come out? Do not discount the power of information. Please share this information which Richard Greenfield so descriptively and professionally detailed last evening with your friends and colleagues.

I thank you.

Questions, comments, constructive criticisms always appreciated.

LD

No Quarter Radio’s Sense on Cents with Larry Doyle Welcomes Richard Greenfield, Sunday Night at 8PM EDT

Posted by Larry Doyle on October 17th, 2009 2:31 PM |

UPDATE: This episode of NQR’s Sense on Cents with Larry Doyle has concluded. You can listen to a recording of the episode in its entirety by clicking the play button on the audio player provided below. Once the audio begins, you can advance or rewind to any portion of the episode by clicking at any point along the play bar.

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The detonation of the bombs that have hit our economy may have been launched on Wall Street, but certainly the collateral damage has been experienced nationwide if not globally. While regulators were admittedly asleep at the wheel during these attacks, who in our country is now positioned to hold bankers and regulators accountable? The media? Please. Will regulators hold themselves truly accountable? Maybe on a going forward basis, at best. Then who?

Please join me this Sunday October 18th from 8-9pm EDT for No Quarter Radio’s Sense on Cents with Larry Doyle as I welcome Richard Greenfield for what will assuredly be a riveting conversation. Who is Richard Greenfield and what areas of expertise does his firm Greenfield and Goodman occupy? Why am I so excited to have him on my show?

Greenfield and Goodman concentrates its practice in complex financial litigation and, particularly, in corporate governance, banking, consumer rights and shareholder litigation.  As a direct result of the efforts of the Firm and its predecessors, many millions of dollars have been recovered for defrauded investors and other persons injured by illegal corporate activities and obtained fundamental changes in corporate governance, particularly in the areas of control procedures and risk management. The Firm and its predecessors have also been responsible for obtaining a number of particularly noteworthy judicial opinions which have not only strengthened consumer and investor rights generally, but substantially aided in the prosecution of complex litigation to preserve such rights.

As for Mr. Greenfield himself, he has a resume that just won’t quit:

RICHARD D. GREENFIELD has been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Fifth, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits, various federal district courts, as well as the Courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of New York and the State of Maryland.  Mr. Greenfield is a 1965 graduate of the Cornell Law School, where he was awarded a J.D. In addition, he has earned degrees in Accounting (B.S. Queens College) and Business Administration (M.B.A. Columbia University Graduate School of Business).

Mr. Greenfield is thoroughly experienced in banking, securities and consumer litigation, having served as Lead or Co-Lead Counsel for plaintiffs in  shareholder class and derivative actions alleging violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of corporate governance standards, in class actions brought on behalf of trust beneficiaries against major trustee-banks as well as in a wide variety of banking and consumer fraud cases. Mr. Greenfield founded and was Senior Partner in a 48 lawyer Pennsylvania-based law firm that specialized in such litigation; it was disbanded in 1993.

Rather than listing the major periodicals and news outlets in which Mr. Greenfield has been featured, it would be easier to list those in which he has not.

In the midst of all of his other professional and philanthropic activities, Mr. Greenfield is currently representing Benchmark Financial, Standard Investment Chartered, and Amerivet Securities in complaints against the Wall Street self-regulatory organization FINRA.

In the spirit of continually pursuing transparency and integrity along our economic landscape, please join me this Sunday evening for what will assuredly be a fascinating discussion with Richard Greenfield.

This show, as with all of my shows, is taped and archived along with being available as a podcast on iTunes.

LD






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