Advisor Alert: Our Attorneys Are Investigating William Worthen King For Investment Fraud
Did You Lose Money Because of Bill King?
Filed: February 15, 2024
William King (also known as Bill King) currently has eight (8) pending customer complaints. Overall, he has been the subject of twenty-eight (28) customer complaints and one (1) termination event. As an investor, you may be entitled to compensation for losses accrued due to mismanagement of your investments.
Let’s begin our Patil Law Advisor Alert with a summary report on William Worthen King.
Who Is William Worthen King?
- Advisor Name: William Worthen King
- Aliases: Bill King
- CRD: 1432593
- Location: Vero Beach, Florida
- Current Employer: Currently Not Registered
- Previous Firms: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
- Number of Known Customer Complaints: 28
- Number of Known Termination Events: 1
- Can William King Be Sued: Yes, in Private Arbitration
- Can William King’s Employers Be Sued For Failing to Supervise Actions: Yes, in Private Arbitration
- Highest Damages Allegation: $4,000,000
- Highest Settlement: $212,500
If you have suffered investment losses by William King, we strongly encourage you to exercise your rights to experienced legal representation. Recover what is owed to you by retaining an investment fraud lawyer. Reach out to the legal team at Patil Law, P.C. via the secure online form or call the firm directly toll-free at 1-800-950-6553.
Customer Complaints Filed Against Bill King For Broker Misconduct
As of this publication date, William King has been the subject of 28 customer disputes and 1 termination event. Let’s review them below.
In January 2024, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging that the risk of investments was not disclosed, and investments were unsuitable. As of this publication date, this claim remains pending.
In November 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by multiple customers of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unauthorized options trades in 2022.
In October 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging misrepresentation of an equity-indexed annuity. As of this publication date, this claim remains pending.
In September 2023, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging misrepresentations and unauthorized trades. The clients also allege that the registered representative failed to act in their best interest when structured products were purchased in June and July of 2021. As of this publication date, this claim remains pending.
In August 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging that risk of investments was not disclosed, and investments were unsuitable. On December 13, 2023, Mr. King settled the claim for $110,000, and some or all of this amount may have been paid by Mr. King’s employer and/or insurance carrier.
In July 2023, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging misrepresentations and unsuitable options strategy. As of this publication date, this claim remains pending.
In July 2023, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unauthorized trading, unsuitable recommendations and misrepresentations. Per the customer, he/she lost over $4,000,000 because of Mr. King’s actions. As of this publication date, this claim remains pending.
In July 2023, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unsuitable and unauthorized options trading and use of margin. As of this publication date, this claim remains pending.
In June 2023, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by multiple customers of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging misrepresentation of options strategy and unsuitable and unauthorized transactions. As of this publication date, this claim remains pending.
In May 2023, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unsuitable options trading and use of margin. Per the customer, he/she lost over $150,000 because of Mr. King’s actions. On January 11, 2024, Mr. King settled the claim for $65,000, and some or all of this amount may have been paid by Mr. King’s employer and/or insurance carrier.
In April 2023, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated terminated William King for allegations of unsuitable and unauthorized trading in certain clients’ accounts.
In April 2023, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging that Mr. King made unsuitable investments. As of this publication date, this claim remains pending.
In April 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unsuitable and unauthorized trades.
In April 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging an unauthorized options trade.
In April 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unauthorized and unsuitable trades in 2022.
In March 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unauthorized options trades.
In March 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unsuitable and unauthorized trades in 2022.
In March 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging misrepresentation of certain option positions.
In February 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unauthorized trading of certain option positions.
In January 2023, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging that Mr. King made unsuitable investments.
In November 2022, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging unauthorized trading of options from June through September 2022. On May 9, 2023, Mr. King settled the claim for $100,000, and some or all of this amount may have been paid by Mr. King’s employer and/or insurance carrier.
In October 2022, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging failure to follow instructions when two positions in his account were not sold in October 2021. On March 9, 2023, Mr. King settled the claim for $20,000, and some or all of this amount may have been paid by Mr. King’s employer and/or insurance carrier.
In August 2022, a FINRA arbitration was filed against or in reference to William King by multiple customers of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging that Mr. King was not acting in the clients’ best interest when he enrolled his brokerage account into a managed strategy and did not implement risk management strategies; therefore, leaving the portfolio open to market volatility from June 2019 through July 2022. Per the customers, they lost over $600,000 because of Mr. King’s actions. On June 12, 2023, Mr. King settled the claim for $212,500, and some or all of this amount may have been paid by Mr. King’s employer and/or insurance carrier.
In April 2014, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging misrepresentation from January 2013 to December 2013.
In June 2002, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging misrepresentation at time of purchase of variable annuity.
In August 2001, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging concern regarding appropriateness of a bond the client purchased in December 2000.
In February 2001, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging that an investment recommended to him by Mr. King was misrepresented to him.
In October 1999, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging that the client’s purchase of Schick Technologies Common Stock was unsuitable for his account.
In March 1999, a complaint was filed against or in reference to William King by a customer of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated alleging that certain misrepresentations were made regarding fees and performance, and that the sales for tax losses were in excess of that authorized. On April 1, 1999, Mr. King settled the claim for $49,000, and some or all of this amount may have been paid by Mr. King’s employer and/or insurance carrier.
How To File A Claim Against Bill King (previously with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated) To Get Your Money Back
If you have questions about William King, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or the management or performance of your accounts, please contact Attorney Patil for a free initial consultation via email or toll-free at 1-800-950-6553.