Melissa Williams: Star Financial Advisor Lands $500K Bond Complaint

A recent investor complaint against Spokane, Washington financial advisor Melissa Williams (CRD# 4298503) alleges that she recommended an unsuitable investment. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that she is registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Osaic Wealth, doing business as Star Financial.

Ms. Williams’s BrokerCheck report discloses one pending investor complaint. Filed in June 2026, it alleges that as a representative of Centaurus Financial, she “recommended and misrepresented unsuitable, and illiquid investments and breached her fiduciary duty” in connection with corporate bond investments. The pending complaint alleges damages of $500,000.

A second disclosure on Ms. Williams’s BrokerCheck report concerns her past resignation from NYLife Securities. Filed in 2011, the disclosure states that she voluntarily resigned in connection with allegations that “she was subject to a fine and termination due to her failure to timely submit incoming correspondence and funds received logs as required by company policy.”

For reference, FINRA Rule 2020 stipulates that financial advisors at FINRA member firms must not “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.” What this means is that brokers are forbidden from making misrepresentations of material information—that is, information posing a significant consideration for investors weighing a particular investment product or strategy—related to their recommendations. Brokers who make misrepresentations may be held liable for damages in the event that an investment suffers losses, or they may even be held subject to disciplinary action by securities regulators.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Melissa Williams holds 24 years of securities industry experience. Based in Spokane, Washington, she has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Osaic Wealth since 2024, doing business as Star Financial. Her past registrations include Centaurus Financial, Voya Financial Advisors, NYLife Securities, American Express Financial, and IDS Life Insurance. Her credentials include the passage of three securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; and the Uniform Combined State Law Examination, or Series 66. She holds 15 state licenses. (Information current as of August 30, 2026.)

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