Ron Cole: Emerson Equity Advisor Lands $100K-$500K Complaint

A recent investor complaint against San Mateo, California financial advisor Ron Cole (CRD# 1434325) alleges that he violated industry rules and regulations. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker with Emerson Equity, doing business as Cole 1031 Solutions.

Mr. Cole’s BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in October 2025, it alleges that as a representative of Emerson Equity, he breached contract, acted negligently and grossly negligent, breached his fiduciary duty, misrepresented and omitted material facts regarding a real estate investment recommendation, violated the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, and violated the Best Interest Obligation. The pending complaint alleges damages between $100,000 and $500,000.

Investors should be aware that FINRA rules forbid brokers from making misrepresentations of material information relating to the investments and strategies they recommend to their clients. FINRA Rule 2020 states specifically that no broker shall “effect any transaction in, or induce the purchase or sale of, any security by means of any manipulative, deceptive or other fraudulent device or contrivance.” Brokers who misrepresent investments may be held liable in the event of losses.

For reference, FINRA rules require brokers-dealers and their representatives, like Mr. Cole, to follow the suitability standard. As outlined by FINRA Rule 2111 and now Regulation Best Interest, this rule states that they may only recommend their customers invest in products and strategies that are appropriate for the customers’ individual investment profiles. This includes factors such as the client’s investment goals, investment experience, liquidity needs, age, net worth, risk tolerance, and income. The suitability standard is similar to but distinct from the fiduciary standard followed by investment advisers, which requires placing the investor’s interests above the adviser’s.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Ron Cole holds 29 years of securities industry experience. Based in San Mateo, California, he has been registered as a broker with Emerson Equity since 2024, doing business as Cole 1031 Solutions. His past registrations include Great Point Capital, Emerson Equity, Colorado Financial Service Corporation, Money Concepts Capital, Inland Securities, EDI Financial, Allied Beacon Partners, Longview Financial Group, WM Smith & Company, Spencer Trask Ventures, WM Smith & Company, National Securities Corporation, Westrock Advisors, Matrix USA, CIBC World Markets Corporation, Salomon Smith Barney, Bear Stearns & Company, Merrill Lynch, AG Edwards & Sons, Kidder Peabody, and LF Rothschild & Company. His credentials include the passage of five securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Combined State Law Examination, or Series 66; the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; and the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7. He is licensed in Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. (Information current as of November 16, 2025.)

Carlson Law represents investors throughout the United States in claims against financial advisors and investment firms. If you or a loved one have suffered investment losses, please call us at 888-976-6111 or complete our contact form for a free and confidential consultation.