Chris Martin: Archangel Advisor Faces Selling Away Complaint

Apple Valley, California financial advisor Chris Martin (CRD# 4179127) recently received an investor complaint alleging that he misrepresented a private placement offering and committed financial elder abuse. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Centaurus Financial, doing business as Archangel Financial Services.

Mr. Martin’s BrokerCheck report discloses one recent investor complaint. Filed in August 2024, it alleges that as a representative of Centaurus Financial, he engaged in unfair business practices, provided untrue statements, acted negligently, misrepresented material facts, breached his fiduciary duty, and committed financial elder abuse in connection with a private placement offering sold away from the firm. The pending complaint alleges unspecified damages.

In a statement included with the complaint’s disclosure, Mr. Martin defended himself against the allegations, which he described as false. “At no time did I provide any untrue statements or misrepresentations to the Claimants, nor did I act as their financial advisor or owe them any fiduciary duty as a financial advisor,” he wrote. “Their investments were made in a separate company in which I was an investor and officer, with no connection to any advisory role. These baseless allegations will be rigorously challenged to ensure the truth is made clear.”

A second disclosure on his BrokerCheck report concerns a FINRA investigation into his conduct. Filed in September 2024, it states that FINRA made preliminary determination to recommend disciplinary action against him, alleging that he participated in undisclosed and unapproved private securities transactions. The investigation remains pending.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Chris Martin holds 24 years of securities industry experience. Based in Apple Valley, California, he has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Centaurus Financial since 2006 and 2009, respectively, doing business as Archangel Financial Services. His past registrations include Liberty Group (2003-2006), InterSecurities (2000-2003), and TransAmerica Financial Resources (2000). His credentials include the passage of six securities industry qualifying exams: the General Securities Principal Examination, or Series 24; the Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination, or Series 6; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; and the Uniform Combined State Law Examination, or Series 66. He holds 24 state licenses. (Information current as of October 12, 2024.)

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