Hopis file suit against Wachovia

May 23, 2013

The Hopi Tribe of Northern Arizona says a national bank seriously mishandled its investments. The tribe claims it has lost millions.

The tribe filed its claims against Wachovia earlier this month with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. It’s seeking more than $190 million in damages and penalties through arbitration.

The claims allege that Wachovia and its financial advisers concealed losses from the Hopi Tribe, misrepresented the risk in investments and overcharged fees.

A spokesman for Wells Fargo & Co, which acquired Wachovia in 2008, says the bank would present its side during an arbitration hearing.

Wells Fargo settled a case in 2011 that claimed Wachovia misled investors to sell mortgage bonds to the Zuni Tribe of New Mexico.