MFDA announces disciplinary proceeding in respect of Ioana Beckford

TORONTO, July 7, 2014 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") has commenced a disciplinary proceeding in respect of Ioana Beckford (the "Respondent"). In its Notice of Hearing dated June 23, 2014, Staff of the MFDA alleges that the Respondent engaged in the following conduct contrary to the By-laws, Rules and/or Policies of the MFDA:

Allegation #1: Between December 17, 2009 and April 2010, the Respondent accepted and held a power of attorney for property and personal care from client PR, and was appointed as the executrix of client PR's estate in her will, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.3.1, 2.1.4 and 2.1.1.

Allegation #2: Commencing December 2009, the Respondent engaged in personal financial dealings with client PR by engaging in the following conduct:

a)	accepting designation as the sole beneficiary of client PR's estate in her will;
b)	becoming a joint owner of client PR's condominium;
c)	borrowing approximately $120,000 through a Home Equity Line of Credit ("HELOC") which was secured against     client PR's condominium; and
d)	transferring the $120,000 borrowed from client PR through the HELOC into the Respondent's personal bank account;

thereby giving rise to conflicts or potential conflicts of interest between the Respondent and client PR which the Respondent failed to address by the exercise of responsible business judgment influenced only by the best interests of client PR, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.1.4 and 2.1.1.

Allegation #3: Between August 2009 and April 2013, the Respondent had and continued in three gainful occupations which were not disclosed to and approved by the Member, contrary to MFDA Rules 1.2.1(c) and 2.1.1.

Allegation #4: Commencing in May 2013, the Respondent failed to provide information and documentation requested by the MFDA during the course of an investigation, contrary to s. 22.1 of MFDA By-law No. 1.

The first appearance in this matter will take place by teleconference before a Hearing Panel of the MFDA's Central Regional Council on August 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) in the MFDA hearing room located at 121 King Street West, Suite 1000, Toronto, Ontario. The purpose of the appearance is to set a date for the hearing of this matter on its merits and to address any other procedural matters. The appearance will be open to the public, except as may be required for the protection of confidential matters.

A copy of the Notice of Hearing is available on the MFDA website at www.mfda.ca. During the period described in the Notice of Hearing, the Respondent carried on business in Toronto, Ontario.

The MFDA is the self-regulatory organization for Canadian mutual fund dealers, regulating the operations, standards of practice and business conduct of its 110 Members and their approximately 80,000 Approved Persons with a mandate to protect investors and the public interest. For more information about the MFDA's complaint and enforcement processes, as well as links to 'Check an Advisor' and other Investor Tools, visit the For Investors page on the MFDA website.

SOURCE: Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada

Hugh Corbett, Managing Director, Enforcement, 416-943-4685, [email protected]