Last Updated: July 2025 — Los Angeles, California
Here’s what you need to know about Los Angeles, CA, advisor Ralph A. Jackson III:
- Name: Mr. Ralph A. Jackson III
- CRD Number: 1569213
- Current Status: Not currently registered with any FINRA-member firm. Registered Investment Advisor with Fourstar Wealth Advisors
- Prior Employers: Morgan Stanley, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, UBS Financial Services Inc., Salomon Smith Barney Inc., PaineWebber Inc., Kidder Peabody & Co. Inc., Smith Barney Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc., Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Equico Securities, Inc., The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
- Primary Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Function: Registered Investment Advisor
- Can Ralph A. Jackson III be sued in FINRA arbitration? Yes
- Sanctioned by Securities Regulators? SEC investigation pending
- Highest Settlement or Award: $6 million
- Employment Termination: Yes
If you’ve sustained damages from Mr. Jackson, discuss your case with experienced investment fraud lawyer Bob Rex at (877) 224-3199 for a free consultation.
Did You Lose Money With Ralph A. Jackson III As Your Stockbroker?
Ralph A. Jackson III has multiple settled customer disputes and is the subject of an ongoing SEC investigation:
- Largest Known Settlement: $6,000,000 — settled in 2014 (Los Angeles Superior Court Case #BC512091). The case, brought by a customer of UBS Financial alleged fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of unfair competition laws in connection with private equity investments.
- Other Settlements: $350,000 for unsuitable private placement investments (2002–2007); $165,000 for unsuitable high-yield corporate bonds (2014–2019); $65,000 for negligence related to restricted stock sales.
- Pending Investigation: Subpoena issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in February 2025 for a transaction involving Essential Coolers, LLC.
- Employment Termination: Discharged from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in May 2025 for participating in undisclosed and unapproved financial transactions with clients and third parties — a violation potentially implicating FINRA Rule 2010 (Standards of Commercial Honor) and FINRA Rule 3280 (Private Securities Transactions).
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.
Allegations of Broker Misconduct Against Ralph A. Jackson III
The following allegations have been made against Ralph A. Jackson III:
- Unsuitable investment recommendations
- Misrepresentation and fraud in the sale of private placements and private equity investments
- Breach of fiduciary duty and failure to supervise or disclose conflicts
- Participation in undisclosed private financial transactions with clients, which may constitute “selling away,” violating FINRA Rule 3280.
Recover Your Investment Losses Now With Rex Securities Law
Investigations of Other Morgan Stanley Brokers
If you have suffered investment losses in an account handled by Ralph A. Jackson III, contact us for a complimentary consultation with an experienced 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.