Abebi Stafford: $569K Complaint Against Ameriprise Advisor

New Brighton, Minnesota financial advisor Abebi Stafford (CRD# 6550592) recently received an investor complaint alleging that his conduct resulted in six-figure damages. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services.

Mr. Stafford’s BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in June 2026, it alleges that as a representative of Ameriprise Financial Services, he sold shares of SEZL, or Sezzle Inc., without the customer’s authorization. The pending complaint alleges damages of $569,637.62.

For reference, FINRA Rule 3260 specifies the conditions in which brokers like Mr. Stafford may effect securities transactions without prior consultation with their customer. As the regulator explains in its investor resources, this is also known as discretionary trading, and it “generally means the broker can decide at any time how much of a stock, bond or other security to buy or sell, and at what price, without customer input.” Rule 3260 states that brokers may not use discretionary authority without the customer’s prior written authorization, as well as their firm’s approval of the customer’s account for discretionary trading. Representatives who execute unauthorized trades may be liable for damages.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Abebi Stafford holds 10 years of securities industry experience. Based in New Brighton, Minnesota, he has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services since 2016 and 2020, respectively. His credentials include the passage of three securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Combined State Law Examination, or Series 66; and the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7. He is licensed in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. (Information current as of July 3, 2026.)

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.