Sonn Law Group is reviewing a pending customer dispute involving former Centaurus Financial broker William G. Rowett III (CRD No. 5118940).
According to FINRA BrokerCheck, Rowett is not currently registered as a securities broker. He was most recently registered with Centaurus Financial in Derry, New Hampshire, from January 2020 until March 2026. His record reports one pending customer dispute and one employment-separation disclosure. (FINRA)
William Rowett III Customer Complaint
The pending customer dispute was served in February 2026 and filed with FINRA Dispute Resolution as Case No. 26-00310.
The claimant alleges that Rowett’s investment recommendations, strategies, or transactions between August 2019 and September 2022 violated FINRA rules. The products identified in the disclosure include:
- Variable annuities; and
- Insurance products.
The claimant did not specify an exact compensatory-damages amount and instead seeks damages in an amount to be proven at the arbitration hearing. Centaurus reported making a good-faith determination that the potential damages exceed $5,000. The arbitration remains pending, and the allegations have not been proven or adjudicated. (FINRA)
Centaurus Financial Discharged William Rowett III
FINRA BrokerCheck also reports that Centaurus Financial discharged Rowett on March 27, 2026.
According to the disclosure, Centaurus initiated an internal review after receiving an arbitration claim filed by one of Rowett’s family members, who also maintained customer accounts with the firm.
Centaurus reported that Rowett disclosed receiving direct payments from the family member. The circumstances surrounding those transfers reportedly raised concerns about compliance with the firm’s policies governing financial dealings with customers.
The firm suspended Rowett from conducting securities and investment activities during its review and subsequently discharged him. Centaurus stated that it had not determined the nature or purpose of the transfers or reached a conclusion about how they should be characterized. The firm reported that its internal review remained ongoing. (FINRA)
The termination disclosure identifies fixed annuities, variable annuities, and insurance products.
Risks Associated With Variable Annuities
Variable annuities are complex financial products that may involve:
- Surrender charges;
- Mortality and expense fees;
- Administrative and investment-management expenses;
- Restrictions on accessing invested funds;
- Market risk;
- Tax consequences; and
- Long holding periods.
Financial professionals recommending variable annuities must consider the customer’s age, financial circumstances, investment objectives, liquidity needs, existing investments, and risk tolerance.
A variable annuity may be unsuitable when its costs, restrictions, risks, or investment features conflict with the customer’s needs and objectives.
Did You Invest With William Rowett III?
Investors who purchased variable annuities, fixed annuities, insurance products, or other investments through William Rowett III or Centaurus Financial may have grounds to pursue compensation through FINRA arbitration.
Contact Sonn Law Group at 1-844-689-5754 for a free and confidential case evaluation. The firm represents investors nationwide in FINRA arbitration and securities-loss claims.
The pending allegations described above have not been proven. The inclusion of a disclosure in BrokerCheck does not establish that Rowett violated securities laws or FINRA rules.
