FINRA barred former Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. representative Sally Samaris of Woodland Hills, California for failing to cooperate with an investigation into criminal matters related to a mortgage fraud scheme.
According to the investigation, Transamerica terminated Samaris' employment in 2012, leading FINRA to further review potential late disclosures of a state regulatory action concerning involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme as well as criminal actions in Los Angeles Superior Court against Samaris concerning the fraud.
In 2013, Transamerica disclosed for the first time that Samaris had, in fact, been arrested and charged with several felonies connected to the scheme, including grand theft, conspiracy, and home equity sales fraud.
Since opening its investigation, FINRA had requested information from Samaris, which she complied with. On August 1, 2014, however, Samaris advised she would not appear for on-the-record testimony nor respond further to the requests for documents and information related to the mortgage fraud criminal case and ensuing felony convictions.
If you have invested with Sally Samaris, Transamerica or with any broker, financial adviser or firm whose participation in illicit or fraudulent schemes have proven harmful to your investments or interests, please call The Law Offices of Jonathan W. Evans & Associates at (800) 699-1881 for investigation and consultation.