Haselkorn & Thibaut has opened an investigation into Red Bank, New Jersey financial advisor John Girgis and his registration with Garden State Securities and Garden State Investment Advisory Services. If you invested with John Girgis or these firms and experienced losses, you may have legal options to recover your investments.
Understanding the FINRA Bar Against John Girgis
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In September 2025, FINRA permanently barred John Girgis from the securities industry. This severe regulatory action came after Girgis refused to provide testimony regarding his outside business activities and trading practices in customer accounts at his previous firms, Worden Capital and SW Financial.
When FINRA bars an advisor, it means they can never work in the securities industry again in any capacity. This is one of the most serious sanctions available to regulators and typically indicates significant concerns about an advisor’s conduct.
Red Flags in John Girgis’s Professional History
Several concerning patterns emerge when examining John Girgis’s regulatory record:
| Red Flag | Details |
|---|---|
| Refusal to Cooperate | Declined to provide testimony to FINRA investigators |
| Multiple Firm Changes | Worked at 7+ firms during his career |
| Customer Complaints | Two disclosed investor complaints |
| Settlement Payment | $14,999 settlement in 2023 |
Customer Complaints and Allegations
The most significant customer complaint against John Girgis was filed in 2022 and included serious allegations:
- Churning – Excessive trading to generate commissions
- Excessive commissions – Charging unreasonable fees
- Unauthorized trading – Making trades without permission
- Negligence – Failing to meet professional standards
- Breach of contract – Violating agreements with clients
- Fraud – Misrepresenting investment information
While Girgis denied these allegations, the complaint resulted in a $14,999 settlement in 2023. Settlements don’t necessarily indicate guilt, but they do suggest the firm found it prudent to compensate the investor rather than proceed to arbitration.
What This Means for Investors
If you worked with John Girgis at Garden State Securities, Garden State Investment Advisory Services, or any of his previous firms, you should review your account statements immediately. Look for:
- Unexplained losses in your portfolio
- Trades you didn’t authorize
- Excessive trading activity
- High commission charges
- Investments that didn’t match your risk tolerance
The FINRA bar raises serious questions about the management of client accounts under Girgis’s supervision. When an advisor refuses to cooperate with regulatory investigations, it often suggests they have something to hide.
Your Legal Rights as an Investor
Securities laws protect investors from misconduct by financial advisors. You may be entitled to recover losses if your advisor:
- Made unsuitable investment recommendations
- Failed to disclose important information
- Engaged in unauthorized trading
- Charged excessive fees
- Misrepresented investment risks
Even though John Girgis is now barred from the industry, his former firms may still be liable for losses that occurred while he was registered with them. Brokerage firms have a duty to supervise their representatives and can be held responsible for their misconduct.
Time Limits for Filing Claims
Acting quickly is crucial. Securities arbitration claims typically must be filed within six years of the occurrence that gave rise to the claim. However, some claims may have shorter deadlines depending on the specific circumstances.
Don’t wait to explore your options. The longer you delay, the more difficult it becomes to gather evidence and build a strong case.
Why Investigation Matters Now
Haselkorn & Thibaut’s investigation into John Girgis and Garden State Securities focuses on uncovering the full extent of potential investor harm. With over 50 years of experience and a 98% success rate, the firm has recovered millions for investors nationwide.
The investigation examines:
- Trading patterns in client accounts
- Commission structures and fees
- Investment suitability
- Supervision failures
- Undisclosed outside business activities
Take Action to Protect Your Investments
If you invested with John Girgis at Garden State Securities, Garden State Investment Advisory Services, or any of his previous firms, you deserve answers about your losses. You can verify his employment history and regulatory record on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Don’t assume your losses were simply due to market conditions. When an advisor is barred by FINRA for refusing to cooperate with investigations, it raises serious questions about their handling of client accounts.
Haselkorn & Thibaut offers free consultations to investors who may have been harmed by financial advisor misconduct. With a no recovery, no fee promise, you have nothing to lose by exploring your options.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
If you invested with John Girgis or Garden State Securities and experienced losses, call Haselkorn & Thibaut at 1-888-628-5590 for a free case evaluation. Their experienced attorneys will review your situation and explain your legal options. No recovery means no fee – you only pay if they successfully recover your losses.
Your financial future matters. Take the first step toward recovering your investment losses by calling 1-888-628-5590 today.
