March, 2025 | Based in Sarasota, FL
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What Investors Should Know About Jean-Pierre Daniel Gobic
- Full Name: Jean-Pierre Daniel Gobic
- CRD Number: 4380699
- Current Location: Sarasota, FL
- Current Employer: Morgan Stanley
- Office Address: 2 North Tamiami Trail, Suite 1100, Sarasota, FL 34236
- Registration Status: Registered with Morgan Stanley since March 5, 2010
- State Licenses: Licensed in 38 U.S. states and territories
- Experience: Financial industry professional since 2001
- FINRA BrokerCheck: Three customer disputes (two settled, one pending)
- Previous Employers: UBS Financial Services Inc. (July 2001 – March 2010)
- Ability to Recover Losses: Investors may be eligible for FINRA arbitration to recover losses
Detailed Investigation into Jean-Pierre Daniel Gobic’s Investment Practices
Jean-Pierre Daniel Gobic, a financial advisor currently employed by Morgan Stanley in Sarasota, Florida, is under investigation following allegations of potential investment misconduct. Mr. Gobic has been registered with Morgan Stanley since March 2010 and previously worked with UBS Financial Services Inc. from July 2001 to March 2010. With over two decades in the financial industry, his career has not been without controversy, as indicated by his FINRA BrokerCheck report showing three customer disputes.
The most recent and concerning allegation involves a FINRA arbitration claim filed in October 2024 (Case #24-02352), where clients allege violations of Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) and misrepresentation related to alternative investment strategies between 2021 and 2023. This pending claim raises serious questions about whether Mr. Gobic acted in his clients’ best interests as required by regulatory standards.
Financial advisors have a legal and ethical obligation to recommend suitable investments and provide full disclosure about investment risks. When these obligations are potentially breached, as alleged in the case of Mr. Gobic, investors may suffer significant financial harm. Our investigation seeks to determine the extent of any misconduct and help affected investors understand their options for potential recovery.
Background and Professional History
Jean-Pierre Daniel Gobic has built his career primarily at two major financial institutions. After obtaining his securities licenses in 2001, he began his career at UBS Financial Services Inc., where he worked until March 2010. He then transitioned to Morgan Stanley, where he has been registered for over 14 years.
Mr. Gobic holds several securities licenses, including the General Securities Representative (Series 7), Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), and Futures Managed Funds (Series 31) examinations. He also passed the Uniform Combined State Law Examination (Series 66), allowing him to function as both a securities agent and an investment adviser representative.
His extensive state registrations—38 states and territories in total—indicate a practice that likely serves clients across multiple jurisdictions. This broad geographic reach potentially means that any misconduct could affect investors in numerous states.
What’s particularly notable is that despite his lengthy career, Mr. Gobic’s BrokerCheck report shows no principal or supervisory exam qualifications, suggesting he has remained in client-facing advisory roles rather than ascending to management positions within his firms.
Previous Customer Disputes and Red Flags
Prior to the current pending arbitration, Mr. Gobic’s record shows two settled customer complaints from 2008, both related to Auction Rate Securities (ARS). These complaints arose during the widespread liquidity crisis in the ARS market that began in February 2008, when this once-considered “safe” investment suddenly became illiquid, leaving many investors unable to access their funds.
The first complaint resulted in a settlement of $100,000, while the second was settled for $25,000. In both cases, UBS Financial Services—Mr. Gobic’s employer at the time—agreed to repurchase the securities at par value as part of a broader regulatory settlement. According to the BrokerCheck report, these settlements were not based on findings of fault by Mr. Gobic personally, and he did not contribute to the settlement amounts.
However, the fact that these complaints exist at all represents a red flag for potential investors. The ARS crisis revealed significant issues with how these complex investments were marketed to retail investors, with many claims that financial advisors misrepresented the risks and liquidity features of these securities.
The pattern becomes more concerning when viewed alongside the current pending arbitration, which alleges similar issues of misrepresentation but with alternative investments—another complex product category that often carries significant risks and limitations that must be fully disclosed to investors.
Current Allegations and Regulatory Framework
The pending FINRA arbitration filed in October 2024 raises serious concerns about Mr. Gobic’s investment recommendations between 2021 and 2023. The complaint specifically alleges violations of Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI) and misrepresentation related to alternative investment strategies.
Regulation Best Interest, implemented by the SEC in June 2020, established a heightened standard of conduct for broker-dealers when making recommendations to retail customers. Under Reg BI, financial professionals must:
- Disclose all material facts about the scope and terms of their relationship with clients, including any conflicts of interest
- Exercise reasonable diligence, care, and skill when making recommendations
- Establish, maintain, and enforce policies designed to identify and address conflicts of interest
- Identify and eliminate sales contests and quotas that create conflicts of interest
The allegation that Mr. Gobic violated Reg BI suggests potential failures in one or more of these obligations. This is particularly concerning given that alternative investments—which may include private securities, as mentioned in the complaint—often involve higher fees, limited liquidity, and greater complexity than traditional investment options.
Misrepresentation, the second allegation, violates FINRA Rule 2020, which prohibits manipulative, deceptive, or fraudulent devices or contrivances in connection with securities transactions. Whether intentional or negligent, misrepresenting the features, risks, or expected returns of an investment constitutes serious misconduct that can lead to significant client losses.
Alternative Investments: Understanding the Risks
The pending complaint against Mr. Gobic specifically mentions “private securities” as the investment product at issue. Private securities are a category of alternative investments that are not publicly traded and are typically available only to accredited or qualified investors.
These investments often come with significant risks and limitations that differentiate them from traditional publicly traded securities:
- Limited Liquidity: Unlike stocks or bonds traded on public exchanges, private securities typically have no secondary market, meaning investors may be unable to sell their holdings for months or years.
- Valuation Challenges: Without public market pricing, determining the actual value of private securities can be difficult and subjective.
- Limited Disclosure: Private securities are exempt from many of the disclosure requirements that apply to public offerings, potentially leaving investors with less information.
- Higher Fees: Alternative investments often carry higher fee structures than traditional investments, which can significantly impact net returns.
- Complex Structures: Many private securities involve complex legal structures that can be difficult for average investors to fully understand.
Given these characteristics, financial advisors have a heightened responsibility to ensure these investments are suitable for their clients and to fully disclose all material risks. The allegations against Mr. Gobic suggest potential failures in meeting these obligations.
Warning Signs for Investors
Based on the pattern of complaints against Mr. Gobic and the nature of the alleged misconduct, investors should be alert to several warning signs that might indicate potential problems with their investment accounts:
- Recommendations of complex products without clear explanations: If your advisor suggests alternative investments or other complex products but struggles to clearly explain how they work or what risks they carry, this could be a red flag.
- Promises of guaranteed returns or minimal risk: Alternative investments, particularly private securities, inherently carry significant risks. Any advisor who downplays these risks or promises exceptional returns with minimal downside should be viewed with skepticism.
- Pressure to act quickly: Creating artificial time pressure is a common tactic to prevent investors from performing due diligence. Legitimate investment opportunities rarely require immediate decisions.
- Lack of transparency about fees: Alternative investments often involve multiple layers of fees. If your advisor is vague or evasive about the total cost structure, this could indicate potential problems.
- Account statements that are difficult to understand: Some advisors may recommend products that don’t appear clearly on account statements or whose values are not regularly updated, making it difficult for clients to track performance.
- Investment recommendations that don’t align with your stated goals: If an advisor pushes alternative investments despite your expressed preference for liquidity or lower risk, this misalignment could signal that the advisor is prioritizing their interests over yours.
Guidance for Potentially Affected Investors
If you’re an investor who has worked with Jean-Pierre Daniel Gobic and are concerned about your investments, especially alternative investments or private securities, there are several steps you should consider taking:
- Review Your Account Statements: Carefully examine your investment portfolio to identify any alternative investments or private securities. Pay particular attention to their performance, fees, and how they align with your investment objectives.
- Request Documentation: Gather all documentation related to your investments, including initial recommendations, risk disclosures, and any written communications with Mr. Gobic about these investments.
- Assess Performance: Compare the actual performance of your investments against what was initially presented or promised. Significant discrepancies may indicate misrepresentation.
- Consult With an Independent Financial Expert: Consider having your portfolio reviewed by a qualified financial professional with no connection to Mr. Gobic or Morgan Stanley.
- Document Your Concerns: If you identify potential issues, create a detailed timeline of events, including dates of investment recommendations, specific statements made by Mr. Gobic, and any concerns you expressed.
- Understand Time Limitations: Be aware that FINRA arbitration claims generally must be filed within six years of the event giving rise to the claim. Don’t delay in seeking legal advice if you believe you may have been harmed.
How Our Investment Fraud Attorneys Can Help
Investment fraud cases—particularly those involving complex alternative investments—require specialized legal expertise. Our law firm offers comprehensive support to investors who may have been affected by financial advisor misconduct:
- Free Initial Consultation: We provide a no-obligation evaluation of your situation to determine if you may have a viable claim for investment losses.
- Forensic Account Analysis: Our team conducts a detailed review of your investment accounts to identify potential misconduct, unsuitable recommendations, or misrepresentations.
- Regulatory Navigation: We have extensive experience with FINRA arbitration procedures and can guide you through this complex process from filing through resolution.
- Contingency Fee Structure: We work on a “no recovery, no fee” basis, meaning you pay legal fees only if we successfully recover compensation for your losses.
- Emotional Support: We understand that investment fraud can be emotionally devastating. Our team provides compassionate support throughout the recovery process.
Our attorneys specialize in cases involving complex investments similar to those at issue in the complaints against Mr. Gobic. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars for investors who have fallen victim to misrepresentation, unsuitable recommendations, and other forms of financial advisor misconduct.
If you’ve invested with Jean-Pierre Daniel Gobic and are concerned about your investments, particularly alternative investments or private securities recommended between 2021 and 2023, taking prompt action is crucial. The pending FINRA arbitration suggests potential systemic issues that may have affected numerous investors.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to explore your options for recovery. Reach out to our experienced investment fraud attorneys today by calling 800-950-6553 or using our secure online contact form to arrange your confidential, no-cost consultation.
