MFDA announces disciplinary proceeding in respect of Patrick Cronin

TORONTO, June 12, 2014 /CNW/ - The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada ("MFDA") has commenced a disciplinary proceeding in respect of Patrick Cronin (the "Respondent"). In its Notice of Hearing dated May 22, 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 January 11, 2002 and November 8, 2011, the Respondent had and continued in another gainful occupation that was not disclosed to and approved by the two Members with which he was registered in succession by arranging private loans and mortgages for third party borrowers and lenders, which included borrowing from clients, contrary to MFDA Rules 1.2.1(c) and 2.1.1.

Allegation #2: Commencing March 2011, the Respondent engaged in personal financial dealings with client SH by borrowing $43,000 from her as part of a total amount of $728,000 borrowed by the Respondent and secured by a private mortgage on a property owned by the Respondent, thereby giving rise to a conflict or potential conflict of interest between the Respondent and client SH which the Respondent failed to address by the exercise of responsible business judgment influenced only by the best interests of client SH, contrary to MFDA Rules 2.1.4 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 July 10, 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 and around Dublin, Ontario, located near Stratford, Ontario.

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]