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Information About Orion Kelly Willis
- Full Name: Orion Kelly Willis
- CRD Number: 4047415
- Current Location: Sun City West, AZ
- Current Employer: Centaurus Financial, Inc.
- Office Address: 13843 W. Meeker Blvd., Suite #105, Sun City West, AZ 85375
- Registration Status: Currently registered with 1 Self-Regulatory Organization and licensed in 34 U.S. states and territories
- State Licenses: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
- Experience: In industry since 1999; holds General Securities Principal, General Securities Representative, and Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts licenses
- FINRA BrokerCheck: 3 disclosure events (2 criminal, 1 customer dispute)
- Previous Employers: Invest Financial Corporation (04/2007-11/2013), MetLife Securities Inc. (12/1999-01/2003)
- Professional Designations: Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
- Ability to Recover Losses: Potentially eligible for FINRA arbitration for recent misconduct
Recent Customer Complaint Raises Red Flags
Our investment fraud attorneys are investigating allegations against financial advisor Orion Kelly Willis (CRD# 4047415) concerning misrepresentation and failed instructions involving an annuity investment. According to FINRA BrokerCheck records, Mr. Willis, currently employed by Centaurus Financial, Inc. in Sun City West, Arizona, is facing a significant customer complaint alleging misconduct that resulted in substantial financial harm.
The pending complaint, filed on January 16, 2025, alleges that Willis failed to follow instructions and misrepresented an illiquid investment in 2024. The client is seeking $70,600 in damages related to a fixed annuity investment. While Willis denies the allegations and states the investment was in the customer’s best interest, these claims warrant serious investigation.
For investors who have worked with Orion Kelly Willis and experienced unexpected losses or questionable investment advice, it’s essential to understand your rights and options for potential recovery. Our securities attorneys specialize in helping investors recoup losses caused by broker misconduct and unsuitable investment recommendations.
Detailed Case Overview
The current complaint against Orion Kelly Willis raises several concerns common in investment fraud cases. The client alleges that Willis misrepresented an illiquid investment (specifically a fixed annuity) and failed to follow instructions regarding the investment in 2024.
Fixed annuities are often marketed to conservative investors seeking income and principal protection. However, these products typically come with substantial surrender charges, lengthy lock-up periods, and complex terms that may not be fully explained to investors. When financial advisors misrepresent the liquidity, features, or risks of annuity products, investors may find themselves unable to access their money without significant penalties when they need it most.
In his statement regarding the complaint, Willis “vehemently” denies any wrongdoing and asserts that the allegations are “completely without merit.” He claims the investment was recommended based on the customer’s objectives, goals, and financial circumstances, and that the customer confirmed in writing that they understood the characteristics and risks of the investments.
However, the substantial damages claimed ($70,600) and the specific allegations regarding misrepresentation and failure to follow instructions indicate serious potential misconduct that merits thorough investigation. The allegations regarding the illiquid nature of the investment are particularly concerning, as many investors—especially retirees or those near retirement—place high value on liquidity and may not fully understand the restrictions that come with certain financial products.
Historical and Background Information
Orion Kelly Willis has been in the financial services industry for over two decades. According to FINRA records, he first became registered in the securities industry in November 1999 with MetLife Securities Inc., where he remained until January 2003. He then joined Centaurus Financial, Inc. (January 2003 to May 2007), followed by Invest Financial Corporation (April 2007 to November 2013), before returning to Centaurus Financial in November 2013, where he remains currently employed.
Willis holds multiple securities licenses, including:
- General Securities Principal (Series 24) obtained on March 23, 2006
- General Securities Representative (Series 7) obtained on October 23, 2001
- Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative (Series 6) obtained on November 2, 1999
- Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination (Series 65) obtained on April 23, 2005
- Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination (Series 63) obtained on November 3, 1999
He also holds the professional designation of Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), which may have been used to qualify as an Investment Advisor representative.
Notably, Willis’s BrokerCheck report reveals three disclosure events:
- A 1996 criminal matter involving criminal damage, which was reduced from a Class 5 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor. According to Willis’s statement, this occurred when he was a senior in high school and involved a “childhood prank” where he was a passenger in a vehicle that “destroyed carts.” He states that the State of Arizona has since expunged the misdemeanor from his record.
- A 2009 criminal matter involving an aggravated assault charge (originally a Class 3 dangerous felony), which was reduced to disorderly conduct and reckless driving misdemeanors. Willis describes this as a “road rage incident” where he “had to brandish a legally owned firearm” and “drive at a high speed to avoid an assailant.” The case resulted in 12 months of probation and a $15,000 fine.
- The pending customer dispute described above, alleging misrepresentation and failure to follow instructions regarding a fixed annuity investment.
Beyond his securities career, Willis is involved in several other business activities, including:
- W&W WTP: Described as “inventing electronic devices” (since August 2015)
- Prime Wealth Advisors, LLC: Board member of this DBA (since November 2007)
- Orion Willis Financial Services LLC: Board member (since February 2012)
- ZOT Farming: Manager of a farming and ranch operation selling organic animals, eggs, and produce (since November 2024)
The Significance of Willis’s Experience and Disclosure History
Willis’s extensive experience in the industry—over 25 years—and his role as a General Securities Principal suggest he holds a position of significant responsibility and should be well-versed in securities regulations and ethical standards. The Series 24 license he holds qualifies him to supervise and manage branch activities.
His criminal history, while not directly related to securities, does raise questions about judgment and character. While the 1996 incident occurred when he was in high school, the 2009 aggravated assault charge (later reduced) occurred when he was well-established in his financial services career.
The current pending complaint is particularly significant as it directly relates to his professional activities and involves allegations of misrepresentation—a serious violation of securities industry standards if proven true.
Red Flags & Warning Signs
For investors who have worked with Orion Kelly Willis or are currently his clients, several red flags warrant attention:
- Recent Customer Complaint: The pending complaint alleging misrepresentation of an illiquid investment (fixed annuity) suggests possible serious misconduct in handling client investments.
- Annuity Sales Concerns: Fixed annuities often generate substantial commissions for brokers while imposing significant surrender charges and illiquidity on clients. This creates an inherent conflict of interest that requires careful management and full disclosure.
- Criminal History: While both criminal matters were reduced to misdemeanors, they still indicate potential concerns about judgment, especially the 2009 matter which involved a firearm and resulted in significant penalties.
- Multiple Business Activities: Willis is involved in several outside business activities, including inventing electronic devices, farming operations, and multiple business entities. These additional commitments could potentially divert attention from properly serving investment clients.
- Change of Firms: Willis has worked at several different brokerage firms over his career, including leaving Centaurus for Invest Financial Corporation in 2007, then returning to Centaurus in 2013. While changing firms is not uncommon in the industry, frequent moves can sometimes indicate underlying issues.
- Supervisory Responsibilities: As a General Securities Principal, Willis may have supervisory responsibilities over other registered representatives. If he has engaged in misrepresentation himself, this raises concerns about the quality of supervision he may provide to others.
Legal & Regulatory Framework
Financial advisors like Orion Kelly Willis are subject to various rules and regulations designed to protect investors. Key among these are:
FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability): Requires that financial advisors have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommended transaction or investment strategy is suitable for the customer based on the customer’s investment profile, including age, financial situation, tax status, investment objectives, investment experience, time horizon, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance.
FINRA Rule 2010: Requires brokers to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade in the conduct of their business.
FINRA Rule 2020: Prohibits the use of manipulative, deceptive, or other fraudulent devices or contrivances to induce securities transactions.
SEC Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI): Requires broker-dealers to act in the best interest of retail customers when making recommendations, including recommendations of annuity products.
Insurance Regulations: Fixed annuities are also subject to state insurance regulations, which typically require proper disclosure of product features and limitations.
FINRA Rule 3110: Requires firms to establish and maintain a system to supervise the activities of their associated persons that is reasonably designed to achieve compliance with securities laws and regulations.
When these rules are violated, investors may have grounds for claims such as:
- Misrepresentation or omission of material facts
- Unsuitable investment recommendations
- Breach of fiduciary duty (for advisory accounts)
- Negligence or negligent supervision
- Breach of contract
- Violation of state securities laws or insurance regulations
Understanding Fixed Annuities and Their Risks
Since the pending complaint against Willis specifically involves a fixed annuity, it’s important for investors to understand these products and their potential risks:
Fixed annuities are insurance contracts that promise to pay a guaranteed interest rate on the investor’s contributions. While they offer certain benefits like tax-deferred growth and guaranteed income, they also come with significant limitations:
- Surrender Charges: Most fixed annuities impose substantial surrender charges (often starting at 7-10% and declining over time) if you withdraw money within the surrender period, which can last 5-10 years or even longer.
- Limited Liquidity: Annuities typically restrict access to your principal. While some allow annual withdrawals of 10% without penalty, any amount beyond that is subject to surrender charges.
- Tax Penalties: Withdrawals before age 59½ may result in a 10% IRS tax penalty in addition to income tax on the gains.
- Complex Features: Many annuities contain complex provisions, riders, and limitations that can be difficult for average investors to fully understand.
- Commission Structure: Annuities often pay high commissions to the selling agent (sometimes 6-8% or more), creating potential conflicts of interest.
Misrepresentation of these products—particularly regarding their liquidity, surrender periods, or guaranteed returns—is a serious violation of securities industry standards and can cause significant financial harm to investors.
Guidance for Affected Parties
If you have invested with Orion Kelly Willis and have concerns about how your investments have been handled, consider taking these steps:
- Review Your Investment Documents: Carefully examine all documents related to your investments, particularly any annuity contracts. Look for information about surrender charges, liquidity provisions, guaranteed rates, and other key terms.
- Gather All Communications: Collect all written communications with Willis, including emails, letters, and notes from meetings. Pay particular attention to any representations made about the investments, especially regarding liquidity or guaranteed returns.
- Request Account Statements: Obtain complete copies of your account statements to track the performance and status of your investments.
- Assess Suitability: Consider whether the recommendations made by Willis aligned with your investment objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and financial situation as they were at the time of the recommendation.
- Document Any Misrepresentations: If you believe certain features or risks of investments were misrepresented, document the specific statements made and how they differed from reality.
- Check for Unauthorized Activities: Verify that all transactions in your account were authorized by you and consistent with your investment objectives.
- Understand Time Limitations: Be aware that there are statutes of limitations for filing claims. For FINRA arbitration, claims generally must be filed within six years of the event giving rise to the dispute.
- Consult with a Securities Attorney: An attorney specializing in securities law can help evaluate your situation and determine if you have grounds for a claim.
The FINRA Arbitration Process
If you’ve suffered losses due to misconduct by Orion Kelly Willis, the primary avenue for seeking recovery is typically through FINRA arbitration. Here’s what you should know about this process:
- Filing a Claim: The process begins by filing a Statement of Claim with FINRA, outlining the factual and legal basis for your allegations.
- Arbitrator Selection: Once your claim is accepted, FINRA will provide lists of potential arbitrators, and both parties participate in selecting the panel that will hear the case.
- Discovery: Both sides exchange relevant documents and information during the discovery phase.
- Hearing: At the hearing, both sides present evidence, testimony, and arguments to the arbitration panel.
- Award: After considering the evidence, the arbitrators issue an award that is binding on the parties.
- Potential Recovery: If successful, you may recover compensatory damages (your actual financial losses), and in some cases, interest, costs, and even punitive damages for particularly egregious misconduct.
FINRA arbitration is typically faster and less formal than court litigation but still requires careful preparation and presentation of your case, ideally with the assistance of experienced counsel.
How Our Securities Fraud Attorneys Can Help
Our investment fraud attorneys specialize in representing investors who have suffered losses due to broker misconduct, particularly involving fixed annuities and other illiquid investments. We offer:
- Free Case Evaluation: We provide a thorough, no-obligation assessment of your potential claim against Orion Kelly Willis or Centaurus Financial. During this evaluation, we’ll review your investment documents, account statements, and communications to identify potential violations.
- Extensive Experience with Annuity Cases: Our attorneys have specific expertise in cases involving misrepresentation of annuity products, with a proven track record of recovering losses for investors who were not properly informed about surrender charges, liquidity limitations, or other key features.
- FINRA Arbitration Representation: We provide comprehensive representation throughout the FINRA arbitration process, handling all aspects from the initial filing through the final hearing.
- Forensic Account Analysis: Our team works with financial experts to analyze your account activity, identifying patterns, unsuitable recommendations, or misrepresentations that may not be immediately apparent.
- Contingency Fee Structure: We work on a “no recovery, no fee” basis, meaning you pay legal fees only if we successfully recover money for you.
- National Reach: We represent investors throughout the country, including all 34 states where Orion Kelly Willis is licensed.
- Understanding of Relevant Regulations: We stay current on all securities regulations, including the newer Regulation Best Interest requirements that apply to annuity recommendations.
Take Action to Protect Your Financial Future
If you’ve invested with Orion Kelly Willis and have concerns about misrepresentation, unsuitable recommendations, or other misconduct—particularly involving fixed annuity products—time is of the essence. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering potential losses.
The pending customer complaint against Willis suggests that other investors may have experienced similar issues with his recommendations or communications about investment products. Our securities fraud attorneys are standing by to review your case and help you understand your legal options.
Don’t let investment fraud derail your financial future. Call 800-950-6553 or complete our online form today to schedule your confidential, no-obligation consultation with our experienced securities fraud attorneys.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and allegations that have not yet been proven in a court of law or FINRA arbitration. The investigation into Orion Kelly Willis is ongoing, and all parties are entitled to due process. This article does not constitute legal advice, and individual cases should be evaluated by a qualified attorney.
