ASC sanctions Candice Graf, Homerun International Inc. and connected companies for breaching Alberta securities laws

CALGARY, April 26, 2016 /CNW/ - The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) has sanctioned Candice Anne Graf (a.k.a. Candi Hayward), Homerun International Inc. and connected companies (First Base Investments Inc., Homerun Capital Corp., Homerun Equities Inc., Homerun Capital II Corp., Homerun Equities II Inc., 1496044 Alberta Ltd. and 1539149 Alberta Ltd.) for breaching Alberta securities laws. Christopher Robert Hayward was sanctioned for authorizing, permitting or acquiescing in the majority of the corporations' breaches.

An ASC panel ordered that:

• Graf pay an administrative penalty of $250,000 and investigation and hearing costs of $63,750;
• Graf be permanently banned from using any Alberta securities laws exemptions;
• Graf be subject to a broad array of market-access bans until the later of April 21, 2036 and the date on which her administrative penalty is paid in full to the ASC;
• Hayward pay an administrative penalty of $75,000 and investigation and hearing costs of $21,250;
• Hayward be banned from using any Alberta securities laws exemptions until the later of April 21, 2036 and the date on which his administrative penalty is paid in full to the ASC;
• Hayward be subject to a broad array of market-access bans until the later of April 21, 2026 and the date on which his administrative penalty is paid in full to the ASC;
• all trading in or purchasing of Homerun International's and connected companies' securities or derivatives permanently cease; and
• Homerun International and the connected companies be subject to a broad array of permanent market-access bans.

The ASC panel noted that Graf was the guiding mind behind the corporations involved. The panel also stated: "It was not clear that she recognized herself as a perpetrator of wrongdoing, and indeed the primary perpetrator. We conclude that Graf neither accepted responsibility for her proved misconduct, nor seemed truly to appreciate how serious it was."

In December 2015, the ASC panel had found that Graf, Homerun International and the connected companies illegally traded or distributed securities, and that Graf and Homerun International made prohibited representations to investors. The ASC panel also found that Graf authorized, permitted or acquiesced in these breaches by the corporations, and that Hayward authorized, permitted or acquiesced in the majority of the corporations' breaches.

A copy of the decision is available on the ASC website at www.albertasecurities.com.

The ASC is the regulatory agency responsible for administering the province's securities laws. It is entrusted with fostering a fair and efficient capital market in Alberta and with protecting investors.  As a member of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the ASC works to improve, coordinate and harmonize the regulation of Canada's capital markets.

SOURCE Alberta Securities Commission

For Media Inquiries: Mark Dickey, Senior Communications Advisor, 403.297.4481; For Investor Inquiries: ASC Public Inquiries, Toll Free 1.877.355.4488