MFDA announces disciplinary proceeding in respect of Paolo Abate

TORONTO, May 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") has commenced a disciplinary proceeding in respect of Paolo Abate (the "Respondent"). In its Notice of Hearing dated April 10, 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 March 12, 2008 and May 1, 2012, the Respondent engaged in securities related business that was not carried on for the account and through the facilities of the Member by selling, recommending, referring or facilitating the sale outside the Member of $2 million of shares of a private company owned or controlled in part by the Respondent to a foreign pension fund, contrary to MFDA Rules 1.1.1(a) and 2.1.1.

Allegation #2: Between March 12, 2008 and May 1, 2012, the Respondent had and continued in another gainful occupation that was not disclosed to and approved by the Member by selling, recommending, referring or facilitating the sale of $2 million of shares of a private company owned or controlled in part by the Respondent to a foreign pension fund, contrary to MFDA Rules 1.2.1(d) [which has since been renumbered as MFDA Rule 1.2.1 (c)]and 2.1.1.

The first appearance in this matter will take place by teleconference before a Hearing Panel of the MFDA's Central Regional Council on June 2, 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 the Greater Toronto, Ontario area.

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]