San Antonio, TX | December 16, 2024 – Joe Gamez (CRD# 4292479), a former financial advisor with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, has been permanently barred from the securities industry by FINRA. His BrokerCheck record contains one regulatory action, one customer complaint involving alleged misappropriation of funds, and a termination for cause. This report provides factual information from publicly available FINRA records to help investors make informed decisions.
BrokerCheck Snapshot
Name: Jose Abel Gamez
CRD #: 4292479
Firm: Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. (former)
Location: San Antonio, TX
Years in Industry: 25
Number of Disclosures: 3 (1 regulatory event, 1 customer dispute, 1 termination)
Current Status: Barred from the securities industry
FINRA Bar Against Jose Gamez
On October 23, 2025, FINRA permanently barred Jose Gamez from associating with any FINRA member firm in all capacities (Case No. 2025086809101). According to the order, Gamez failed to provide information and documents requested by FINRA in connection with its investigation into whether he used customer funds for personal reasons.
Without admitting or denying the findings, Gamez consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings. The permanent bar became effective on October 23, 2025, and prevents Gamez from working in any capacity in the securities industry. This represents one of the most serious sanctions FINRA can impose, as it indefinitely prohibits an individual from participation in the securities business.
The FINRA investigation focused on allegations that Gamez misused customer funds. His failure to cooperate with the investigation led to the permanent bar under FINRA rules governing member conduct and regulatory cooperation.
Customer Complaint Against Jose Gamez
Gamez’s BrokerCheck record contains one customer complaint filed on August 29, 2025, while he was employed at Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. The complaint alleged misappropriation of client funds and sought reimbursement of principal and lost market opportunity.
Complaint Details:
- Date Filed: August 29, 2025
- Firm: Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
- Allegations: Client alleged misappropriation of funds and requested reimbursement of principal and lost market opportunity
- Alleged Damages: $1,863,371.00
- Status: Settled on October 1, 2025
- Settlement Amount: $413,370.18
- Individual Contribution: $0.00
The complaint was settled by Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. with no individual contribution from Gamez. The settlement represents approximately 22% of the alleged damages. These are extremely serious allegations involving alleged theft or unauthorized use of client assets.
Employment Termination
On June 25, 2025, Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. discharged Gamez. According to the disclosure, the termination followed allegations that he used client funds for personal reasons. This type of termination for cause is reportable to FINRA and appears on a broker’s permanent record.
Employment terminations for alleged misuse of customer funds are among the most serious forms of broker misconduct. Such terminations typically trigger regulatory investigations and often result in industry bars, as occurred in this case.
Pattern of Serious Misconduct Allegations
The allegations against Gamez represent an extremely serious pattern of alleged misconduct. When a broker is accused of misappropriating client funds, faces termination for cause, and then fails to cooperate with a regulatory investigation, it raises significant concerns about investor protection. FINRA’s decision to impose a permanent bar reflects the gravity of these allegations and the importance of regulatory cooperation in protecting investors.
Investors who entrusted funds to a financial advisor have a right to expect those funds will be managed appropriately and not misused for personal purposes. Allegations of misappropriation strike at the core of the trust relationship between advisors and clients.
Can Investors Recover Losses?
Investors who experienced losses due to alleged misappropriation or unauthorized use of their funds may be entitled to recover compensation through FINRA arbitration. Patil Law, P.C. has over 15 years of experience representing investors in FINRA arbitration and securities litigation, with more than $25 million recovered for clients across 1,000+ cases. We provide a free, confidential consultation to review your potential claim. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we successfully recover money for you.
About FINRA Arbitration
FINRA arbitration is a streamlined dispute resolution process for securities-related claims. It offers a faster, more cost-effective alternative to traditional court litigation. Most cases are resolved within 12-16 months. Claims generally must be filed within six years of the incident. The arbitration process provides investors with a forum to pursue recovery when they have been harmed by broker misconduct.
Related Brokers and Firms
For more information about advisors with similar disclosure patterns, visit our hub page for Raymond James Financial Services complaints.
Additional resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the complaint against Jose Gamez?
Gamez faces allegations of misappropriating customer funds for personal use. A customer complaint alleged damages of $1,863,371.00 and was settled for $413,370.18. FINRA permanently barred Gamez from the securities industry in October 2025 after he failed to provide information and documents requested during its investigation into whether he used customer funds for personal reasons.
Can investors recover losses involving Raymond James Financial Services?
Yes, investors who suffered losses due to alleged misappropriation of funds or other forms of misconduct may be entitled to recover compensation through FINRA arbitration. Brokerage firms can be held liable for the actions of their registered representatives in certain circumstances.
What is FINRA arbitration?
FINRA arbitration is a dispute resolution process administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. It provides investors with a forum to resolve disputes with brokers and brokerage firms outside of traditional court litigation. The process typically takes 12-16 months and involves presenting evidence before a neutral arbitration panel.
What does “misappropriation of funds” mean?
Misappropriation of funds refers to the unauthorized taking or use of client money or assets for personal purposes. This is one of the most serious forms of broker misconduct and constitutes theft. It violates securities laws, industry regulations, and the fundamental duty of trust owed to clients.
How do I look up a broker on BrokerCheck?
Visit FINRA’s BrokerCheck website at brokercheck.finra.org and search by the broker’s name or CRD number. BrokerCheck provides detailed information about a broker’s employment history, professional qualifications, and disclosure events including customer complaints, regulatory actions, and arbitrations.
What should I do if I suspect broker misconduct?
First, document all relevant account statements, correspondence, and trade confirmations. Then, file a written complaint with the brokerage firm’s compliance department. If the firm’s response is unsatisfactory, consider filing a complaint with FINRA or consulting with a securities attorney who can evaluate whether you have grounds for a FINRA arbitration claim.
About Patil Law, P.C.
Patil Law, P.C. is a securities litigation firm dedicated to representing investors who have suffered losses due to broker misconduct, unsuitable recommendations, and securities fraud. Founded in 2018 by attorney Chetan Patil, the firm focuses exclusively on FINRA arbitration and investment loss recovery.
With over 15 years of combined experience in securities law, Patil Law has successfully recovered more than $25 million for clients across 1,000+ cases. Attorney Chetan Patil earned his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Attorneys Gabriela Dubrocq and Patricia Herrera earned their law degrees from University of Miami. The firm handles cases nationwide involving unauthorized trading, churning, unsuitable investments, breach of fiduciary duty, and failure to supervise.
Patil Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorney fees unless the firm successfully recovers money on their behalf. All consultations are free and confidential.
Contact Patil Law for a Free Consultation
If you lost money due to alleged misconduct by Jose Gamez or experienced similar issues involving misappropriation of funds, contact Patil Law, P.C. for a free, confidential consultation. Our experienced securities attorneys can review your case and explain your options for recovery.
Call 800-950-6553 or email info@patillaw.com
No obligation. No upfront fees. We only get paid if we recover money for you.
Disclaimer
The information in this post is based on FINRA BrokerCheck records and public filings. Allegations described are pending or unproven and may be contested. All investors are entitled to fair treatment under securities laws. This is attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This communication is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
