Investigation Opens Into Andrew Pravlik, Former World Capital Brokerage Advisor

Haselkorn & Thibaut, a national investment fraud law firm, has opened an investigation into Andrew James Pravlik, a former registered representative who most recently worked with World Capital Brokerage, Inc. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If you invested with Mr. Pravlik and experienced losses or have concerns about your investments, you may have options for recovery.

Understanding Andrew Pravlik’s Background and Registration Status

Andrew James Pravlik (CRD# 2360456) is not currently registered with any FINRA-member firm, which means he cannot legally conduct securities business or provide investment advice. His registration history shows a pattern of short-term employment relationships that investors should carefully consider:

The fact that Mr. Pravlik’s most recent position lasted only 13 months raises questions about the circumstances of his departure.

Critical Red Flags in Pravlik’s Regulatory Record

Our investigation has identified multiple regulatory disclosures on Mr. Pravlik’s record that investors should be aware of. These disclosures reveal concerning patterns that may impact investors who worked with him.

Customer Complaints and Allegations

According to FINRA BrokerCheck records, Mr. Pravlik has been named in several customer disputes:

• 2024 Customer Dispute – Allegation Amount: $300,000
  • Filed: 10/04/2024
  • Allegation: Unsuitable investment recommendations
  • Status: Pending
• 2019 Customer Dispute – Allegation Amount: $190,000
  • Filed: 09/04/2019
  • Allegations: Breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation, unsuitability
  • Status: Settled for $27,500
• 2019 Customer Dispute – Allegation Amount: $50,000
  • Filed: 12/16/2019
  • Allegation: Unsuitable investment recommendations
  • Status: Denied
• 2014 Customer Dispute – Allegation Amount: $80,000
  • Filed: 12/11/2014
  • Allegations: Unsuitable investments and breach of fiduciary duty
  • Status: Settled for $32,500

Regulatory Actions and Violations

Perhaps most concerning is the FINRA regulatory action taken against Mr. Pravlik in 2011, which resulted in a formal sanction:

• FINRA Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC)
  • Date: 10/28/2011
  • Violation: Making unsuitable recommendations to customers
  • Sanctions: $5,000 fine and 10-business-day suspension
  • FINRA Case #: 2009020689601

This regulatory action demonstrates that FINRA found Mr. Pravlik violated industry rules regarding suitable investment recommendations—a fundamental obligation of every financial advisor.

Why These Issues Matter to Investors

The pattern of complaints and regulatory actions reveals several concerning themes:

1. Repeated Suitability Concerns
Multiple complaints allege unsuitable investment recommendations. When advisors recommend investments that don’t align with a client’s risk tolerance, investment objectives, or financial situation, it violates industry standards and can lead to significant losses.

2. Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims
Several complaints include allegations that Mr. Pravlik breached his fiduciary duty. Financial advisors must act in their clients’ best interests, and violations of this duty can result in investor harm.

3. Pattern of Settlements
Two disputes resulted in monetary settlements totaling $60,000, suggesting the firms found merit in the customers’ claims.

4. Recent Activity
The most recent complaint filed in October 2024 seeks $300,000 in damages, indicating potential ongoing issues even after Mr. Pravlik left World Capital Brokerage.

What This Means for World Capital Brokerage Clients

If you worked with Andrew Pravlik at World Capital Brokerage or any of his previous firms, you should:

• Review your account statements for any unauthorized trading or unsuitable investments
• Document all communications with Mr. Pravlik, including emails, notes from phone calls, and written correspondence
• Calculate your losses if you believe unsuitable recommendations were made
• Act quickly, as there are time limits for filing claims in arbitration

Your Rights as an Investor

Securities laws provide important protections for investors. If you suffered losses due to:

• Unsuitable investment recommendations
• Misrepresentation or omission of material facts
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Unauthorized trading
• Excessive trading (churning)

You may be entitled to recover your losses through FINRA arbitration. The arbitration process is designed to be faster and less expensive than traditional litigation, making it accessible for investors of all sizes.

Why Time Matters in Investment Loss Cases

FINRA rules generally require arbitration claims to be filed within six years from the event giving rise to the claim. However, acting sooner rather than later is always advisable because:

• Evidence and documentation may become harder to obtain over time
• Witnesses’ memories fade
• Statutes of limitations may bar certain claims
• The responsible parties may become harder to locate or may declare bankruptcy

How Haselkorn & Thibaut Can Help

With over 50 years of experience and a 98% success rate, Haselkorn & Thibaut has recovered millions of dollars for investors nationwide. Our team understands the complexities of securities law and the FINRA arbitration process.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means if we don’t recover money for you, you don’t pay us. This ensures our interests are aligned with yours throughout the process.

Our investigation into Andrew Pravlik and World Capital Brokerage is ongoing. If you invested with Mr. Pravlik and have concerns about your investments or experienced losses, we encourage you to contact us for a free, confidential consultation.

Remember, you don’t have to face investment losses alone. Understanding your rights and options is the first step toward potential recovery. Contact Haselkorn & Thibaut today at 1-888-885-7162 to discuss your situation with experienced investment fraud attorneys who are committed to helping investors like you.