Haselkorn & Thibaut, a national securities fraud law firm with over 50 years of experience and a 98% success rate, has opened an independent investigation into Valentino Michael Scott (CRD# 1497615), currently a broker with Centaurus Financial, Inc. in West Hills, California. If you are a current or former client, or if you have questions about your investments with Mr. Scott or Centaurus Financial, Inc., you could be entitled to recover your losses. Read on for a thorough review of this broker’s disclosure history, complaint specifics, and important considerations.
Who is Valentino Michael Scott?
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Valentino Michael Scott is a financial professional with 34 years of experience in the securities industry, registered as a broker since 1991 and with Centaurus Financial, Inc. since January 1995. He has operated primarily out of West Hills, California, and held investment advisory registration through 2023.
Over his long tenure, Mr. Scott has become a notable figure at Centaurus Financial, Inc., maintaining a stable position for three decades. Despite this stability, investors should be aware that he has accumulated a significant number of customer complaints and regulatory disclosures throughout his career.
Current Status and Registration Information
- Firm: Centaurus Financial, Inc. (CRD# 30833)
- Location: West Hills, CA
- Status: Active Broker
- Previous Investment Advisor Status: Through 12/31/2023
- State Registration: California
- FINRA Registration: Active
- View FINRA BrokerCheck profile
Disclosure History: Red Flags and Risk Indicators
Mr. Scott’s regulatory record includes a total of 20 disclosures spanning customer complaints, regulatory findings, employment separations, as well as denied and closed cases. The recent uptick in disputes—especially since 2022—warrants particular attention.
Recent Pattern of Customer Complaints (2022-2025)
| Year | Cases (All Settled unless marked Pending) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 (Pending) |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
This concentration of 11 disputes within roughly three years is a clear red flag for investors.
Detailed List of Complaints and Disclosures
Below we provide a comprehensive list of complaints and regulatory actions involving Valentino Michael Scott:
- 3/28/2025 – Pending Customer Dispute:
- Allegations: Misrepresentation and recommendation of unsuitable, speculative, illiquid investments.
- Claimed Damages: $100,000
- 11/11/2024 – Settled Customer Dispute:
- Allegations: Misrepresentation and unsuitable recommendation of a high-risk, illiquid investment (January 2020 incident).
- Claimed Damages: $100,000 | Settlement: $48,500
- 6/18/2024 – Settled Customer Dispute:
- Allegations: Unsuitable, high-risk, illiquid investments and breach of fiduciary duty (January 2019-November 2020).
- Claimed Damages: $150,358 | Settlement: $78,000
- 3/19/2024 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 1/12/2024 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 10/6/2023 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 7/21/2023 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 6/20/2023 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 2/24/2023 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 7/11/2022 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 3/17/2022 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 3/23/2020 – Settled Customer Dispute
- 11/11/2010 – Customer Dispute (Award/Judgment)
- 6/13/2008 – Denied Customer Dispute
- 1/16/2004 – Denied Customer Dispute
- 11/12/2002 – Denied Customer Dispute
- 5/1/2008 – Closed-No Action Customer Dispute
- 1/2/2008 – Closed-No Action Customer Dispute
- 6/6/1988 – Employment Separation After Allegations
- 7/29/1987 – Regulatory Action (Final)
Patterns in Complaints Involving Valentino Michael Scott
- Unsuitable investment recommendations: Most disputes involve complex, high-risk, or illiquid investments that clients claim were not in their best interest.
- Alleged misrepresentation: There are repeated client allegations that important investment risks or details were not properly communicated.
- Breach of fiduciary duty: Several cases assert Mr. Scott did not act in accordance with his responsibility to place clients’ interests first.
- Settlements: Nearly all recent cases were resolved by settlements between the firm and the customer—often for amounts ranging from tens of thousands up to nearly $80,000.
What Does This Mean for Investors?
If you worked with Valentino Michael Scott or made investments through Centaurus Financial, Inc. at their West Hills, CA office, it is important to closely review your account statements and confirm your investment recommendations align with your risk tolerance, objectives, and needs.
This broker’s pattern of customer complaints—especially the concentration from 2022 onward—should be carefully considered when evaluating the suitability of his advice. While Mr. Scott denies all allegations and claims all investments were properly disclosed and suitable, the volume and consistency of recent disputes merit concern and a thorough review of your own records.
Why Act Now?
Some investors discover issues years after the initial transaction. The sooner you seek professional guidance, the better protected your interests will be. Haselkorn & Thibaut provides free, private consultations to help determine whether you may be eligible for a financial recovery—there is no cost unless we win your case.
If you have questions or concerns about your investments with Valentino Michael Scott or Centaurus Financial, Inc., take this opportunity for a complimentary review by an experienced team. With a 98% client recovery rate, millions recovered, and a nationwide presence, Haselkorn & Thibaut is ready to help.
Next Steps: Free Consultation and Case Review
Do not wait until it’s too late. Protect your investments and your financial future. Haselkorn & Thibaut can review your case, explain your options, and help you determine the most effective course of action—all at no initial cost.
- Free, confidential consultations
- No recovery, no fee
Disclaimer: The information contained in any post on this website is derived from publicly available sources and is not guaranteed as to accuracy and often involves allegations which may or may not be proven at some point in the future. All posts are believed to be accurate as of the time of original posting, but the accuracy and details are subject to and expected to change over time and which may contain opinions of the author at the time posted.
