MFDA announces disciplinary proceeding in respect of Robert Copland
TORONTO, July 9, 2018 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") has commenced disciplinary proceedings in respect of Robert William Copland ("Respondent"). In its Notice of Hearing dated June 20, 2018, 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 about June 2013 and October 2015, the Respondent recommended, sold or facilitated investments by four clients in a retail coffee shop business, thereby engaging in securities related business outside the Member, contrary to MFDA Rules 1.1.1 and 2.1.1.
Allegation #2: Between about June 2013 and October 2015, the Respondent engaged in outside business activities with respect to one or more coffee businesses, without the knowledge or approval of the Member, contrary to the Member's policies and procedures, and MFDA Rules 1.2.1(c) (now MFDA Rule 1.3), 2.5.1, 1.1.2, and 2.1.1.
Allegation #3: Between about June 2013 and October 2015, the Respondent engaged in personal financial dealings with clients when he, among other things:
- established or operated a non-arm's length coffee business with a client;
- opened a joint bank account with a client in respect of a non-arm's length coffee business;
- recommended, sold or facilitated investments by clients in a retail coffee shop business;
- arranged for a client to loan monies to a non-arm's length coffee business;
- arranged for or accepted a personal loan from a client; or
- accepted payments from a client and/or made payments to a client relating to one or more non-arm's length coffee businesses,
thereby giving rise to a conflict or potential conflict of interest which the Respondent failed to disclose to the Member, or failed to address by the exercise of responsible business judgment influenced only by the best interests of the clients, contrary to the Member's policies and procedures, and MFDA Rules 2.1.4, 2.5.1, 1.1.2, and 2.1.1.
Allegation #4: On or about May 31, 2014, the Respondent misrepresented himself as a client's property manager in a letter submitted in support of the client's application to unlock a pension on the basis of financial hardship, thereby failing to observe a high standard of conduct and ethics in the transaction of business, or engaging in conduct which is unbecoming or detrimental to the public interest, contrary to MFDA Rule 2.1.1.
Allegation #5: Commencing May 29, 2017, the Respondent failed to cooperate with an investigation by MFDA Staff into his conduct, contrary to section 22.1 of MFDA By-law No. 1.
The first appearance in this proceeding will take place by teleconference before a Hearing Panel of the MFDA's Central Regional Council on September 11, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern), or as soon thereafter as the appearance can be held, to schedule a date for the commencement of the hearing on the 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. Members of the public who would like to listen to the teleconference should contact [email protected] to obtain particulars.
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 conducted business in the Bowmanville, 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 Members and their approximately 82,000 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
Charles Toth, Director, Litigation, 416-943-4619, [email protected]
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