Last Updated: May 2025 (Austin, TX)
Michael DeLaFuente Investigation Summary
Here’s what you need to know about Austin, TX, registered investment advisor Michael DeLaFuente:
- Name: Mr Michael DeLaFuente
- Current Employer: Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with Mutual Advisors. Not currently registered with FINRA,
- Previous Firms: USCA Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Advisors
- Function: Stock Broker/ Financial Advisor/Registered Investment Advisor
- Aliases: None
- Primary Location: Austin, TX
- DBA:Nfuse Capital, Austin, TX
- CRD 5739648
- Can Michael DeLaFuente be sued in FINRA arbitration: Yes
- Sanctioned by FINRA: No
- Pending Customer Dispute Seeks Damages of $2,200,000
- Current Investigation regarding recommendation to invest in ApexOne Multifamily Special Situation Fund IV
Discuss your case with experienced investment fraud lawyer Bob Rex at (877) 224-3199 for a free consultation.
Did You Lose Money With Michael DeLaFuente As Your Stockbroker?
In 5/2023 a customer of USCA Securities filed a FINRA arbitration alleging that Michael DeLaFuente failed to properly structure their accounts to meet their retirement goals and that they participated in outside investment opportunities, including private placements, along with DeLaFuente in which he did not disclose conflicts. The customers are seeking $2.2 million in damages in this currently pending matter.
Allegations of Broker Misconduct Against Michael DeLaFuente
A customer of Michael DeLaFuente have alleged the following wrongdoing in connection with the handling of customer accounts:
- Failure to disclose conflicts of interest
- Failed to properly structure their accounts to meet retirement goals
- Gross negligence
- Breach of fiduciary duty
Firms Have a Duty to Supervise their Financial Advisors (FINRA Rules 3110 & 2090)
Brokers and their firms have a duty to comply with the FINRA suitability rule which requires that they have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommendation is suitable for the customer.
Michael Delafuente makes the following representations on his Linkedin profile:
- “…my investment strategy employs a disciplined, quantitative approach, emphasizing broad diversification and consistent exposure to the structural trends of publicly traded markets around the world.”
- “I have a fiduciary duty to my clients and am exclusively paid by those clients for ongoing advice about the optimal wealth management of their assets. “
Current Investigation- Delafuente Recommendation to Invest in ApexOne Multifamily Special Situation Fund IV
We are currently investigating a claim by a retired couple residing in Central Texas who invested in ApexOne Multifamily Special Situation Fund IV upon the recommendation by Michael DeLaFuente while he was employed by USCA Securities. The couple alleges that the recommendation was not suitable and not in their best interest resulting in a six figure loss. Due to the fact that the investment is illiquid and monthly distributions have ceased, they are having difficulty paying living and health care expenses.
Apexone Multifamily Special Situation Fund IV is a private placement offering. Investors are generally required to be Accredited Investors (net assets, excluding residence must be $1 million or more) in order to qualify.
Private Placements under Reg D: What is a Private Placement? According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): “Under the federal securities laws, a company may not offer or sell securities unless the offering has been registered with the SEC or an exemption from registration is available. Offerings exempt from the SEC’s registration requirements pursuant to Securities Act Section 4(a)(2) or its safe harbor under Regulation D of the Securities Act are often referred to as private placements.”
The SEC warns that unregistered offerings may be utilized to conduct investment scams and that investors should have the ability to weather a total loss in these illiquid investments. See this SEC Investor Alert about red flags to watch out for in unregistered offerings.
If you have information you believe would be helpful to this investigation, please contact us.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the agency that licenses and regulates stockbrokers and brokerage firms. FINRA requires brokers and brokerage firms to report customer complaints and disputes as well as regulatory sanctions. In addition brokers are required to disclose certain financial matters such as personal bankruptcies, judgments and liens.
Recover Your Investment Losses Now With Rex Securities Law
Our Investigations of other USCA Securities Brokers
If you have suffered investment losses in an account handled by Michael DeLaFuente, contact us for a complimentary consultation with an experience securities lawyer to learn how you may be able to recover damages through FINRA arbitration.
With offices in Boca Raton, FL and Austin, TX, stockbroker fraud attorney Bob Rex provides representation to investors nationwide who are seeking recovery of investment losses due to the negligence or fraud of stockbrokers, financial advisors and broker dealers.
If you have questions about how your account has been handled, call (877) 224-3199 to speak with an experienced securities attorney at no cost to you.
Most cases are handled on a contingent fee basis meaning that you do not pay legal fees unless we are successful.