Hi there, my name is Emily Carter, and I’m a financial analyst and writer with a keen eye on the investment world. One aspect of my job is to keep tabs on the actions of individual brokers that could affect investors. Today, I want to talk about Paul Joseph Mauro [CRD: 824304], a broker with a history in Bolton, Massachusetts, whose activities have raised some serious concerns. You can check his record on the (FINRA) BrokerCheck.
I’ll share the story of Mauro’s troubling conduct while at Mosaic Wealth Inc. and SagePoint Financial Inc., as just one example of why it’s crucial to vet financial advisors thoroughly. After all, It is said that “The investor’s chief problem—and even his worst enemy—is likely to be himself.” This quote by Benjamin Graham, highlights the importance of having sound financial advice to avoid self-inflicted financial wounds.
Where Did Broker Paul Mauro Go Wrong?
A noteworthy episode unfolded in 2022 when a customer complained that Mauro had given them false information about both variable and fixed index annuities. This led to the client allegedly facing some major financial harm due to these unsuitable investments. The outcome? SagePoint Financial Inc. ended up paying $21,716.71 in August 2023 to settle these claims. Quite a price for poor financial guidance, isn’t it?
But That’s Just the Tip of the Iceberg
Let me tell you, that wasn’t the only issue. When Mauro was at SII Investments Inc., a client charged that he had recommended investments that didn’t suit their needs and disputed fees in a managed account. Seeking damages of $6,630, the client was undoubtedly upset. Yet this complaint was denied—Mauro stood by the appropriateness of the annuity at the time of purchase. Clearly, the bond of trust between client and advisor was badly broken here.
Regulators Step In
Mauro’s behavior caught the attention of regulators and resulted in the Massachusetts Securities Division bringing up Case No. R-2017-0123 against him on February 26, 2018. Linked to 14 disclosures since May 1988, Mauro’s infractions covered a range of issues from misrepresenting tax consequences to failing to disclose surrender charges.
As a consequence, the Division put conditions on Mauro’s activities in Massachusetts, requiring increased monitoring and client account reviews—a strong warning to all brokers about the severity of unethical practices.
Following these incidents, yet more complaints surfaced. One client was unhappy with Mauro’s Medicaid planning advice, while another raised issues about undisclosed fees and surrender charges for several annuities sold by Mauro.
For those affected by Paul Mauro’s recommendations, knowing what steps to take next can be critical to recouping any financial losses. What Mauro’s clients experienced serves as a harsh lesson: the financial markets can be risky, and it’s essential to have a reliable and trustworthy advisor. When that trust is broken, the fallout can be tough to handle.
In the finance biz, where trust and knowledge are everything, Paul Mauro’s situation stands as a clear warning. Investors and their advisors should always exercise care and thorough due diligence. His story brings to light the risks of not doing so and heightens awareness of penalties that can arise from breaching FINRA’s rules.
As a final note, remember that not all advisors have your best interests at heart. In fact, a concerning financial fact is that a study found over 7% of financial advisors have been disciplined for misconduct. So it’s wise to always check an advisor’s history, which you can do easily with their FINRA CRM number.
I hope my insights help you comprehend the importance of choosing the right financial advisor and recognizing the potential impact of bad advice. Stay vigilant and informed, and you’ll navigate the investment waters much more safely.
