Things fell apart between Wachovia Securities, LLC and its former employee Telum Jakey Winters. Now that's an understatement.

In a FINRA Arbitration Statement of Claim filed in January 2009, Claimant Wachovia sought $411,257.24, representing the principal balance due and owing under the terms of a Promissory Note executed in November 2005 with Respondent Winters. Claimant  Wachovia also sought accruing interest, costs of collection, attorneys' fees, and, any additional relief deemed just and equitable by the Panel. For his part, Respondent Winters denied the allegations and asserted various affirmative defenses. 

Respondent Winters appeared prepared to fully contest the claims when he hired a lawyer, but by July 22, 2010, the lawyer was no longer in the picture. From that date, Winters represented himself. Hey, I get it.  Seriously. Lawyers are expensive -- often very, very expensive. Nonetheless, whatever the reasons for proceeding pro se, Winters found himself in a world of hurt.