Structured Settlements 4Real®Blog 2026
Structured settlements expert John Darer reviews the latest structured settlements and settlement planning information and news, and provides expert opinion and highly regarded commentary. that is spicy, Informative, irreverent and effective for over 20 years.
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Category: MJ Settlements Commentary
Running commentary about MJ Settlements, its predecessor MJ Structured Settlements & Annuities, Inc., and CEO Todd Michael Lesk, focusing on their marketing practices, use of annuity terminology, SMA labeling, and the language used to describe structured‑settlement receivables—documenting patterns across multiple posts.
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The article discusses the ongoing mislabeling of structured settlement receivables as “secondary market annuities” (SMAs) by Hersch Stern and Todd Lesk. While Stern operates a legitimate primary-market business, his terminology remains inaccurate. The persistent misrepresentation risks misleading consumers about their legal rights and protections, particularly as these receivables are not true annuities.
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The MJ Settlements brochure misleadingly promotes factored structured-settlement payment rights as “Secondary Market Structured Settlement Annuities,” creating a false impression of insurer backing and protection. This misrepresentation exposes retirees to significant risks, as they believe they are purchasing regulated annuity products when they are not. Clarity and accurate terminology are essential.
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The tagline “Guaranteed to OutPerform” used by MJ Settlements is misleading and non-compliant, suggesting unrealistically high returns without substantiating performance claims. It implies guarantees that do not exist, potentially exposing the company to regulatory scrutiny and legal action. Such claims undermine consumer trust in the structured settlement industry, presenting serious ethical and legal risks.
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Todd Lesk Permanently Barred from FINRA but Lists FINRA on LinkedIn as “Licenses and Certifications”
Todd Michael Lesk, CEO of MJ Settlements, was permanently barred from FINRA on October 6, 2023, prohibiting any affiliation with broker-dealer firms. Despite this, he continued to display invalid licenses on LinkedIn. The situation raises concerns about misrepresentation in marketing structured settlements. The blog highlights these discrepancies.
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Why does MJ Settlements resort to misleading tactics to make money? MJ falsely advertises structured settlement receivables as annuities on LinkedIn. What is promoted to investors doesn’t meet the criteria for an annuity under state law. Return on investment “Total Returns” is also misrepresented.
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These so-called “unique” MJ Settlements opportunities are supposedly “carefully vetted” and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. But honestly, how “carefully vetted” can they be if they can’t even manage to get the issuers’ names correct? Let’s examine why our baloney detector is going bonkers.
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Less than two years after Todd Lesk was permanently barred from FINRA in October 2023, MJ Settlements, a Coral Springs-based company led by Todd Lesk as CEO, continues to falsely claim on its website that it offers structured settlement annuities.
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MJ Settlements appears to be heading toward a potential conflict with several life insurers over the use of their trademarked logos on its website to promote structured settlement receivables to investors, while misleadingly labeling these receivables as annuities in a deceptive manner.
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MJ Settlements, Inc. falsely claims “When an original structured settlement annuity is sold, either partially or in full, it then becomes known as a Secondary Market Structured Settlement Annuity”. The annuity does not change hands in a structured settlement.
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It is well settled that factored structured settlement payment rights are not annuities. Factored Structured Settlement Receivables are an unregulated non-insurance product sold by legitimate companies as “”Structured Settlement Annuities” and “Secondary Market Annuities”. It’s just reckless at this point.