Downes v. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter

HERRON, J.,

Presently before the court is the petition for a temporary restraining order and to compel arbitration and to stay all proceedings, filed by defendants Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and Scott Martin. The underlying proceeding at issue involves the complaint of plaintiff Marguerita Downes for violations of Pennsylvania’s UTPCPL, fraud and negligence.

The complaint alleges that plaintiff invested $200,000 with defendants and ended up after about two years with only $89.29 due to defendants’ unauthorized margin trading with her funds. Defendants seek, under Pa.R.C.P. 1531, the…