MFDA announces disciplinary proceeding in respect of Michael Breuer

TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2013 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") today announced that it has commenced disciplinary proceedings in respect of Michael Robert Breuer (the "Respondent"). MFDA staff alleges in its Notice of Hearing that the Respondent engaged in the following conduct contrary the By-laws, Rules or Policies of the MFDA:

					Allegation #1: Between December 30, 2008 and June 30, 2010, the Respondent engaged in personal financial dealings with client ES by entering into an agreement with client ES whereby the Respondent personally guaranteed to compensate client ES for any shortfall in the value of client ES's account below $150,000, thereby giving rise to a conflict or potential conflict of interest between the Respondent and client ES which the Respondent failed to address by the exercise of responsible business judgment influenced only by the best interests of the client, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.1.4 and 2.1.1.
					Allegation #2: Between June 28 and July 8, 2009, the Respondent engaged in unauthorized discretionary trading by processing two redemptions, totaling approximately $17,400, in client ES's account and depositing the proceeds in client ES's bank account, all without the client's knowledge, instructions or approval, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.3.1(a) and 2.1.1.
					Allegation #3: Between June 28 and July 8, 2009, the Respondent engaged in conduct unbecoming an Approved Person and failed to observe high standards of ethics and practice in the conduct of business by using client ES's own monies to compensate her for losses sustained in her account, without her knowledge or approval, contrary to MFDA Rule 2.1.1.
					Allegation #4: On or about July 2, 2010, the Respondent engaged in conduct unbecoming an Approved Person and failed to observe high standards of ethics and practice in the conduct of business by changing the mailing address for statements sent by a mutual fund company to client ES from client ES's home address to the Respondent's branch office address, without the client's knowledge, instructions or approval, contrary to MFDA Rule 2.1.1.

The first appearance in this matter will take place by teleconference before a Hearing Panel of the MFDA's Pacific Regional Council on January 21, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. (Pacific) in the MFDA hearing room located at 650 West Georgia Street, Suite 1220, Vancouver, British Columbia. The purpose of the appearance is to set a date for the hearing of this matter on its merits and address any other procedural matters and will be open to the public, except as may be required for the protection of confidential matters. The Hearing on the Merits will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia at a time and venue to be announced.

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 Pitt Meadows, British Columbia.

The MFDA is the self-regulatory organization for Canadian mutual fund dealers, regulating the operations, standards of practice and business conduct of its 112 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]

Jeff Mount
Vice-President, Pacific Region
604-694-8846
[email protected]