MFDA Hearing Panel makes findings against Michael Guglielmi

 

TORONTO, Jan.5, 2016 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") commenced a disciplinary proceeding in respect of Michael Guglielmi (the "Respondent") by Notice of Hearing (the "Notice of Hearing") dated May 25, 2015.

The hearing of this matter on its merits was held today in Toronto, Ontario before a three-person Hearing Panel of the MFDA's Central Regional Council. Prior to the hearing, the parties filed an Agreed Statement of Facts (the "Agreed Statement of Facts") in which the Respondent admitted to facts constituting contraventions of MFDA By-laws, Rules or Policies, for which he could be penalized by a Hearing Panel pursuant to section 24.1 of MFDA By-law No. 1.

In particular, the Respondent admitted that between October 2012 and April 17, 2013 he:

(i)     allowed WB, PA and WM, all unregistered individuals, to:

a)      open new accounts at the Member for at least 12 individuals that the Respondent never met; and

b)      recommend and process trades in the accounts of the 12 individuals using the Respondent's representative code;

thereby facilitating stealth advising by WB, PA and WM, contrary to MFDA Rules 1.1.1(c) and 2.1.1.

(ii)   opened new accounts and processed trades for at least 12 individuals without performing the necessary due diligence to learn the essential facts relative to the clients and failing to ensure that the investments were suitable and appropriate for the clients, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.2.1 and 2.1.1.

Following submissions from the parties, the Hearing Panel imposed the following sanctions on the Respondent and advised that it will issue written reasons for its decision in due course:

• a one (1) year prohibition from conducting securities related business in any capacity while in the employ of, or associated with, any Member of the MFDA;
• a fine in the amount of $15,000; and
• costs in the amount of $5,000.

Copies of the Notice of Hearing and the Agreed Statement of Facts are available on the MFDA website at www.mfda.ca. During the period described in the Agreed Statement of Facts, the Respondent conducted business in the Vaughan, 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 101 Members and their approximately 83,000 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]