Man ruined by Madoff sues adviser

A Seattle man has filed suit against his financial adviser for failing to conduct appropriate due diligence and for investing his money with Tremont Group Holdings Inc. of Rye, N.Y., that placed funds with convicted swindler Bernard Madoff.
MAR 13, 2009
By  Bloomberg
A Seattle man has filed suit against his financial adviser for failing to conduct appropriate due diligence and for investing his money with Tremont Group Holdings Inc. of Rye, N.Y., that placed funds with convicted swindler Bernard Madoff. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court by the firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP on behalf of investor John Dennis, claims that FutureSelect Prime Advisor II LLC and its managing partner Ron Ward, of Redmond, Wash., merely forwarded his funds to Tremont Group, a holding company, which in turn placed funds with Mr. Madoff. “The law says that before an investment company puts client money in a fund, there is an ironclad responsibility to investigate the worthiness of an investment,” Steve Berman, managing partner of Seattle-based Hagens Berman, said in a statement. “It appears that in Ron Ward’s case, the due diligence was limited to FutureSelect looking up the mailing address to forward Mr. Dennis’ investment to Madoff through Tremont.” The suit claims that if the firm had done its due diligence, it would have discovered the Ponzi scheme.

Latest News

NASAA moves to let state RIAs use client testimonials, aligning with SEC rule
NASAA moves to let state RIAs use client testimonials, aligning with SEC rule

A new proposal could end the ban on promoting client reviews in states like California and Connecticut, giving state-registered advisors a level playing field with their SEC-registered peers.

Could 401(k) plan participants gain from guided personalization?
Could 401(k) plan participants gain from guided personalization?

Morningstar research data show improved retirement trajectories for self-directors and allocators placed in managed accounts.

UBS sees a net loss of 111 financial advisors in the Americas during the second quarter
UBS sees a net loss of 111 financial advisors in the Americas during the second quarter

Some in the industry say that more UBS financial advisors this year will be heading for the exits.

JPMorgan reopens fight with fintechs, crypto over fees for customer data
JPMorgan reopens fight with fintechs, crypto over fees for customer data

The Wall Street giant has blasted data middlemen as digital freeloaders, but tech firms and consumer advocates are pushing back.

The average retiree is facing $173K in health care costs, Fidelity says
The average retiree is facing $173K in health care costs, Fidelity says

Research reveals a 4% year-on-year increase in expenses that one in five Americans, including one-quarter of Gen Xers, say they have not planned for.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.