Matthew Poole: Suitability Complaint Against DFPG Advisor

Rancho Santa Fe, California financial advisor Matthew Poole (CRD# 5074516) allegedly recommended unsuitable investments, according to a recent investor complaint. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker with DFPG Investments and an investment advisor with Dark Horse Advisors.

Mr. Poole’s BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in September 2026, it alleges that as a representative of DFPG Investments, he breached his fiduciary duty and recommended unsuitable alternative investments in 2018. The pending complaint alleges unspecified damages.

For reference, FINRA rules require broker-dealers and their representatives, like Mr. Poole, to follow the suitability standard. As outlined by FINRA Rule 2111, 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, Matthew Poole holds 20 years of securities industry experience. Based in Rancho Santa Fe, California, he has been registered as a broker with DFPG Investments since 2016 and an investment advisor with Dark Horse Advisors since 2023. His past registrations include First Allied Advisory Services, First Allied Securities, Centara Capital Management Group, Centara Capital Securities, and AXA Advisors. His credentials include the passage of four securities industry qualifying exams: the General Securities Principal Examination, or Series 24; 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. He holds 26 state licenses. (Information current as of November 9, 2026.)

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