John Starke: $320K Complaint Against Centaurus Advisor

Mechanicsville, Virginia financial advisor John Starke (CRD# 3154774) recently received an investor complaint alleging his investment advice resulted in losses of more than $300,000. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is a broker with Centaurus Financial, also registered with the firm’s office in Southport, North Carolina.

Mr. Starke’s BrokerCheck report discloses multiple investor complaints. The most recent, filed in July 2022, alleges that as a Centaurus Financial representative, he “improperly recommended high-risk, high commission and illiquid investments” in corporate bond and real estate products. The pending complaint alleges damages of $320,000.

In a comment on the pending complaint’s disclosure, Mr. Stark denied the allegations, which he described as meritless. “The investments about which the customers complained were suitable and were recommended based on the customer’s objectives, goals and financial circumstances and were offered only after their review of all material documentation related to the investment,” he wrote, continuing: “The customers confirmed in writing that they not only received the requisite investment documentation/disclosures, but that they fully understood the characteristics and risks of the investments.” He concluded by stating his intention to vigorously defend himself against the claim.

An earlier investor complaint, filed in 2005, alleged that as a representative of InterSecurities, he recommended unsuitable stocks. The complaint reached a settlement of $57,000. A 2003 investor complaint similarly alleged that he engaged in negligence and fraud connected with a stock trading account, eventually reaching a settlement of $70,000.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, John Starke holds 23 years of securities industry experience. Based in Mechanicsville, Virginia, he has been a broker with Centaurus Financial since 2005. He is also registered with Centaurus’s branch office in Southport, North Carolina. His past registrations include Financial West Group, Cabot Lodge Securities, Allied Beacon Partners, American Beacon Partners, Newbridge Securities Corporation, FIrst Montauk Securities Corp., InterSecurities, and NYLife Securities. His credentials include the passage of five securities industry qualifying exams: the General Securities Principal Examination, or Series 24; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65; and the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63. He is licensed in Alabama, Arizona, California, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, and Virginia. (Information current as of August 18, 2022.)

Carlson Law represents investors throughout the United States in claims against financial advisors and investment firms. If you or a loved one have suffered investment losses, please call us at 888-976-6111 or complete our contact form for a free and confidential consultation.