Now this is interesting… Someone over in Sarasota needs to follow this case and pull the files as they are submitted. Might find some good discovery and pleadings…

A $40 million lawsuit has been filed by Sarasota County against Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. alleging improper investment advice with regard to the county’s securities lending portfolio prior to the market crash in 2008. According to the lawsuit, which was filed in the circuit court in Sarasota County this week, Wachovia Bank failed to follow the county’s conservative investment policies when it placed $40 million worth of Lehman Brothers notes and another $40 million of mortgage-related securities in the county’s portfolio.

Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) June 28, 2010 — A $40 million lawsuit has been filed by Sarasota County against Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. alleging improper investment advice with regard to the county’s securities lending portfolio prior to the market crash in 2008. The case number is 2010 CA 006579NC.

Sarasota attorney Drew Clayton has been retained to prosecute the case on behalf of the county’s clerk of court and county comptroller, Karen Rushing. In her capacity as clerk of court and county comptroller, Ms. Rushing serves as the county’s top financial officer.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed in the circuit court in Sarasota County this week, Wachovia Bank failed to follow the county’s conservative investment policies when it placed $40 million worth of Lehman Brothers notes and another $40 million of mortgage-related securities in the county’s portfolio. Lehman Brothers went bankrupt in September, 2008. The other two securities, issued by Altius III Funding, Ltd. and Option One Mortgage lost a substantial amount of their value at that time as well. Wells Fargo has been named as a defendant because it acquired Wachovia Bank at the end of 2008 and became responsible for its obligations.

Sarasota County is not the first governmental agency to file a suit of this nature as a result of Wachovia’s investment advice. A similar lawsuit was filed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority in North Carolina state court in December, 2008.
For More Information about The Clayton Law Firm, P.A.
http://www.claytonlawyers.com

The Clayton Law Firm, P.A. (“Clayton Law”) was established in 1996 by W. Andrew “Drew” Clayton, Jr. in Sarasota, Florida for the purpose of concentrating its practice in the representation of aggrieved investors, resolving business disputes, and periodically engaging in probate and trust-related litigation. Clayton Law is a partner in a partnership of professional associations known as “Johnson, Browning & Clayton.”

Clayton Law concentrates its practice in the representation of investors who have disputes with brokerage firms, investment advisors, and issuers of securities. Investment disputes are often the subject of FINRA securities arbitration proceedings, involve claims of fraud, negligence and unsuitable investment recommendations arising from the recommendation of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, options, and other securities. The law firm is also engaged in business and estate-related litigation and arbitration.

Drew Clayton, who is admitted to practice in Florida, New Jersey and New York is also certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a circuit civil court mediator, and is available to help attorneys and others to settle their disputes.

Jessica Lavely Clayton is a partner in the firm and has been involved in numerous complex securities cases. She has an LL.M. in tax from Boston University.

The Clayton Law Firm website is located at http://www.claytonlawyers.com
The Clayton Law Firm, P. A.
1 North Tuttle Avenue
Sarasota Florida 34237
phone: 941.951.0707
fax: 941.951.7702

~

4closureFraud.org