A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

Prudential-Bache Sued for Fraud: A Los Angeles Superior Court suit filed Wednesday accuses Prudential-Bache Securities Inc. of negligence and fraud. Mary C. Trinnaman, an investor who filed the case, claims that the brokerage persuaded her to liquidate her portfolio and reinvest all her capital in VMS Mortgage Investment Fund. The company allegedly should have advised Trinnaman to diversify her portfolio and did not reveal that VMS was an “unsuitable, speculative investment” and that lawsuits had been filed over the fund and related entities, the suit says. Prudential-Bache also allegedly said it would “somehow make good” Trinnaman’s losses incurred when the fund’s value plunged. The suit seeks unstated damages, punitive damages and the return of commissions. (Filed July 25, 2990. Case No. BC006581)