The
The complaint, filed on Sept. 25, alleges that Tyrone Clark and the company he oversees, Brokers Choice of America, as well as the Senior Benefit Centers Network, "recruited and trained associates specifically to target the elderly and to scare them into selling their securities holdings for the purpose of purchasing annuities with exorbitant commissions."
In addition, the complaint alleges that the accused parties "used specious titles as Certified Elder Planning Specialists (CEPS) to mislead the elderly and disguise the fact that the associates were insurance salesman."
The complaint asks for a cease and desist order and an administrative fine.
Clark, who is president of Brokers Choice in Denver, Colo., operates
While Clark has defended his sales tactics and says that he intends to teach people how to help elderly investors, the complaint uses many of Clarks own training literature to make its case. Although the WSJ article did bring Annuity University to the attention of the public, the Commonwealth of Massachusettss current actions were precipitated by May and June queries and complaints about Clarks businesses.
The Securities Division covers the actions of registered investment advisers. Because Clark and his companies are alleged to have posed as registered investment advisers or investment adviser representatives, the division is able to pursue this complaint. However, those individuals also fall under the jurisdiction of the
Clark does not have any active complaints with the insurance department in Colorado, where his businesses are based and where the Annuity University seminars take place, a spokesperson said.
