James Sophia: $50K Complaint Against Ex-Morgan Stanley Advisor

Shaker Heights, Ohio financial advisor James Sophia (CRD# 3222645) was terminated from his former member firm in connection with alleged rule violations. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that the former Morgan Stanley broker is currently registered with Vanderbilt Securities.

Mr. Sophia’s BrokerCheck report discloses his termination from Morgan Stanley. Filed in January 2025, it states that the firm fired him in connection with allegations “related to use of personal device to engage in off-platform written business-related communications, failure to disclose a lien, and an outside financial relationship with a customer.”

His BrokerCheck report also discloses multiple investor complaints. The most recent, filed in May 2024, alleges that as a representative of Morgan Stanley, he implemented an investment strategy that was not in the customers’ best interests. The pending complaint alleges damages of $50,000.

An earlier investor complaint, filed in 2011, alleged that as a representative of Merrill Lynch, he failed to follow the customer’s instructions. The complaint reached a settlement of $8,484.90.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, James Sophia holds 25 years of securities industry experience. Based in Shaker Heights, Ohio, he has been registered as a broker with Vanderbilt Securities and an advisor with Vanderbilt Advisory Services since January 2025. His past registrations includeMorgan Stanley (Pepper Pike, Ohio; 2019-2025), Merrill Lynch (Pepper Pike, Ohio; 2007-2019), UBS Financial Services (Cleveland, Ohio; 2002-2007), and Wachovia Securities (St. Louis, Missouri; 1999-2002). His credentials include the passage of four securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65; and the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63. He is licensed in California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia. (Information current as of February 19, 2025.)

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