Chris Martin: FINRA Suspends Archangel Financial Advisor

Apple Valley, California financial advisor Chris Martin (CRD# 4179127) was recently sanctioned in connection with allegations of unapproved private securities actions. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Centaurus Financial, doing business as Archangel Financial Services.

A Letter of Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (No. 2023079660501) published by FINRA describes its sanction against Mr. Martin. Filed in January 2025, it alleges that he participated in a private offering of more than $4 million in stock issued by a cannabis-related company he co-founded. FINRA found that whereas he disclosed his involvement in the company to Centaurus Financial in 2017, “he did not disclose his subsequent participation in the company’s efforts to raise capital.” Nor, according to FINRA, did he receive the firm’s approval for this conduct. Between 2017 and 2022, he participated in the company’s stock offering, including by introducing firm investors to the opportunity. FINRA found that his conduct violated FINRA Rules 3280 and 2010, issuing him a two-year suspension and a fine of $15,000.

Mr. Martin’s BrokerCheck report discloses one recent investor complaint. Filed in August 2024, it alleges that as a representative of Centaurus Financial, he engaged in unfair business practices, provided untrue statements, acted negligently, misrepresented material facts, breached his fiduciary duty, and committed financial elder abuse in connection with a private placement offering sold away from the firm. The pending complaint alleges unspecified damages.

In a statement included with the complaint’s disclosure, Mr. Martin defended himself against the allegations, which he described as false. “At no time did I provide any untrue statements or misrepresentations to the Claimants, nor did I act as their financial advisor or owe them any fiduciary duty as a financial advisor,” he wrote. “Their investments were made in a separate company in which I was an investor and officer, with no connection to any advisory role. These baseless allegations will be rigorously challenged to ensure the truth is made clear.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Chris Martin holds 24 years of securities industry experience. Based in Apple Valley, California, he has been registered as a broker and an investment advisor with Centaurus Financial since 2006 and 2009, respectively, doing business as Archangel Financial Services. His past registrations include Liberty Group (2003-2006), InterSecurities (2000-2003), and TransAmerica Financial Resources (2000). His credentials include the passage of six securities industry qualifying exams: the General Securities Principal Examination, or Series 24; the Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative Examination, or Series 6; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; and the Uniform Combined State Law Examination, or Series 66. He holds 24 state licenses. (Information current as of January 20, 2025.)

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