BCSC alleges B.C. man breached settlement order and arranged for mining company to "sidestep" OTC Rule
VANCOUVER, June 12, 2015 /CNW/ - The Executive Director of the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) has issued a notice of hearing alleging that a Brent Glen Jardine, a B.C. resident, breached a settlement order prohibiting him from being a director or officer of any issuer by acting as a de facto director of Claridge Ventures Inc., a mining company quoted on the Over-the-Counter (OTC) market in the United States. The notice also alleges that Jardine and Claridge filed misleading disclosure with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and evaded fees payable to the BCSC.
The notice states that on October 4, 2007, Jardine entered into a settlement agreement with the BCSC in which he admitted to breaching several sections of the Securities Act during his tenure as the director of a mining company. As part of the settlement, Jardine agreed to an order prohibiting him from being a director or officer of any issuer for two years.
BCSC staff alleges that within seven months of signing the settlement agreement, Jardine breached the ban by acting as a de facto director of Claridge (now known as Indo Global Exchange(s) Pte Ltd.) through the use of nominee directors. Staff alleges that Jardine used nominee directors to conceal his earlier misconduct from the public and regulators, both during the prohibition period and after.
Staff maintains that Jardine also arranged for Claridge to file misleading disclosure with the SEC that kept his true role hidden. However, because Jardine was directing or administering the company from British Columbia at that time, Claridge was a reporting issuer under B.C.'s OTC Rule. Claridge has never filed any disclosure with the BCSC as required by the OTC Rule, and has evaded at least $8,000 in fees.
These allegations have not been proven. Counsel for the Executive Director will apply to set dates for a hearing into the allegations before a panel of commissioners on August 25, 2015, at 9:00 a.m.
You may view the notice of hearing on our website, www.bcsc.bc.ca, by typing Brent Glen Jardine, Indo Global Exchange(s) Pte Ltd., Claridge Ventures Inc., or 2015 BCSECCOM 231 in the search box. Information about disciplinary proceedings can be found in the Enforcement section of the BCSC website.
Please visit the Canadian Securities Administrators' Disciplined Persons List for information relating to persons disciplined by provincial securities regulators, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA).
About the British Columbia Securities Commission (www.bcsc.bc.ca)
The British Columbia Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating capital markets in British Columbia through the administration of the Securities Act. Our mission is to protect and promote the public interest by fostering:
- A securities market that is fair and warrants public confidence
- A dynamic and competitive securities industry that provides investment opportunities and access to capital
Learn how to protect yourself and become a more informed investor at www.investright.org
SOURCE British Columbia Securities Commission
Media Contact: Richard Gilhooley, Media Relations, 604-899-6713; Public inquiries: 604-899-6854 or 1-800-373-6393 (toll free)
Share this article