Haselkorn & Thibaut, a national investment fraud law firm, has opened an investigation into Garden City, New York financial advisor John Stapleton (CRD# 2791194) and his activities while registered with Spartan Capital Securities. The investigation centers on multiple investor complaints alleging unauthorized trading, unsuitable investment recommendations, and excessive commission generation.
Understanding the Recent Complaints Against John Stapleton
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Investment losses can be devastating, especially when they result from a financial advisor’s misconduct. If you’ve worked with John Stapleton at Spartan Capital Securities, it’s important to understand the pattern of complaints filed against him and what they might mean for your investments.
The most recent complaint, filed in June 2025, alleges damages of $200,000. This investor claims that Mr. Stapleton made unsuitable trades, executed unauthorized transactions, and generated excessive commissions. While Mr. Stapleton maintains these allegations are “wholly” meritless and states he “intends to defend the matter vigorously,” the complaint remains pending.
A second investor filed a complaint in 2024, seeking $375,000 in damages. This complaint presents even more serious allegations, including:
- Recommending unsuitable investments
- Misrepresenting and omitting material facts
- Negligent failure in supervisory responsibilities
- Fraud in connection with private placement investments
These aren’t isolated incidents. A third complaint from 2020 also alleged misrepresentation and unsuitable investment recommendations, ultimately settling for $10,000 in 2022.
FINRA Investigation: What Investors Need to Know
Perhaps most concerning is FINRA’s preliminary determination to recommend disciplinary action against Mr. Stapleton. Filed in February 2025, this investigation alleges:
| Alleged Violation | What This Means for Investors |
|---|---|
| Churning investments | Excessive trading to generate commissions |
| Excessive and unsuitable trades | Investments that don’t match client risk tolerance or goals |
| Willful violation of Best Interest Obligation | Putting personal gain ahead of client interests |
While Mr. Stapleton claims these allegations stem from a FINRA exam conducted years ago and denies any wrongdoing, the regulatory body’s decision to pursue disciplinary action suggests they found concerning evidence during their investigation.
Red Flags Every Investor Should Recognize
When evaluating your relationship with any financial advisor, certain warning signs deserve immediate attention. The complaints against John Stapleton highlight several common red flags:
Unauthorized Trading: If you notice transactions in your account that you didn’t approve, this represents a serious breach of trust and potentially securities law.
Excessive Trading (Churning): Watch for unusually high trading activity that seems to benefit the advisor through commissions more than it benefits your portfolio through returns.
Unsuitable Investments: Your advisor should recommend investments that align with your risk tolerance, investment timeline, and financial goals. If you’re seeing high-risk investments when you requested conservative options, that’s a problem.
Pattern of Complaints: Multiple complaints over several years, especially with similar allegations, suggest ongoing issues rather than isolated incidents.
Your Investment Rights and Options
If you’ve experienced losses while working with John Stapleton at Spartan Capital Securities, you have rights. Securities laws and FINRA rules exist to protect investors from misconduct, and you may be entitled to recover your losses through FINRA arbitration.
Time limits apply to filing claims, so acting promptly is crucial. The statute of limitations for most securities claims is six years from the date of the transaction, though some claims have shorter timeframes.
Why Professional Legal Representation Matters
Haselkorn & Thibaut brings over 50 years of experience in securities fraud cases, with a 98% success rate and millions recovered for clients nationwide. Understanding the complexities of securities law and FINRA arbitration procedures requires specialized knowledge that can make the difference between recovering your losses and walking away empty-handed.
Our investigation into John Stapleton and Spartan Capital Securities focuses on helping investors understand their options and potential claims. We work on a contingency basis – no recovery, no fee – ensuring that seeking justice doesn’t add to your financial burden.
Take Action to Protect Your Financial Future
Investment losses affect more than just your account balance. They impact retirement plans, family security, and peace of mind. If you’ve worked with John Stapleton and experienced:
- Unexplained losses in your account
- Trades you didn’t authorize
- Investments that seemed too risky for your situation
- Excessive fees or commissions
- Pressure to invest in specific products
You deserve answers and potentially compensation for your losses.
Don’t wait to explore your options. Contact Haselkorn & Thibaut today at 1-888-885-7162 for a free, confidential consultation. Our experienced team can review your situation, explain your rights, and help you understand the best path forward. With offices nationwide and a proven track record of success, we’re ready to fight for the recovery you deserve.
