MFDA announces disciplinary proceeding in respect of Michael Harrigan

TORONTO, May 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") has commenced a disciplinary proceeding in respect of Michael Andrew Harrigan (the "Respondent"). In its Notice of Hearing dated May 12, 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 2005 and 2008, the Respondent misrepresented the know-your-client ("KYC") information on the account opening and loan application documents of 7 clients, thereby engaging in conduct unbecoming an Approved Person and failing to observe high standards of ethics and practice in the conduct of business, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.2.1 and 2.1.1.

Allegation #2: Between 2005 and 2008, the Respondent misrepresented, failed to fully and adequately explain, or omitted to explain, the risks, benefits, material assumptions, costs and features of a leveraged investment strategy that he recommended and implemented in the accounts of 7 clients, including the risks that:

	a)	the underlying investments might decline in value such that the clients might incur investment losses and would be unable to rely on the sale proceeds of the investments to pay back their investment loans; and
	b)	the underlying investments might reduce, suspend or cancel altogether the distributions paid to investors upon which the clients were relying to make the payments on their investment loans,

thereby failing to ensure that the leveraged investment strategy was suitable and appropriate for the clients and in keeping with their investment objectives, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.2.1 and 2.1.1.

Allegation #3: Between 2005 and 2008, the Respondent recommended and facilitated the implementation of a leveraged investment strategy in the accounts of 7 clients without performing the necessary due diligence to learn the essential facts relative to the clients and without ensuring that the leveraged investment strategy was suitable for the clients and in keeping with their investment objectives, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.2.1 and 2.1.1.

The first appearance in this matter will take place by teleconference before a Hearing Panel of the MFDA's Atlantic Regional Council on July 10, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. (Atlantic) in order to schedule a date for the commencement of the hearing on the merits and to address any other procedural matters. The first 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 Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

The MFDA is the self-regulatory organization for Canadian mutual fund dealers, regulating the operations, standards of practice and business conduct of its 111 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]