Decision Notice - CIRO Hearing Panel issues Reasons for Decision in the matter of Aziz Fatehali Khamisa

TORONTO, March 12, 2024 /CNW/ - Following a settlement hearing under the Mutual Fund Dealer Rules held on February 21, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, a hearing panel of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) found that Aziz Fatehali Khamisa failed to disclose an agreement that was material to a proposed transaction to effect a change of control of a Member of the MFDA, thereby:

1. 1. 1. failing to provide full disclosure of the material terms of the proposed transaction;
      2. failing to provide information to the MFDA that it required or considered necessary or desirable;
      3. misleading the MFDA concerning the full terms of the proposed change of control.

The hearing panel issued its reasons for decision on March 1, 2024, which are available at:

Re Khamisa 2024 CIRO 32

In its reasons for decision, the hearing panel confirmed the sanctions imposed on the respondent. In particular:

1. 1. 1. a one-year prohibition on his authority to conduct security related business while in the employ of or associated with any Dealer Member of CIRO that is registered as a mutual fund dealer;
      2. a prohibition from being an officer, director or acting in a supervisory capacity including without limitation acting as Ultimate Designated Person, Chief Compliance Officer, Branch Manager or Compliance Officer, while in the employ of or associated with any Dealer Member of CIRO registered as a mutual fund dealer for a period of five years; and
      3. a fine of $40,000.

The respondent is also required to pay costs in the amount of $5,000.

At all material times, Aziz Khamisa conducted business in the Richmond Hill, Ontario area.

All information about disciplinary proceedings relating to current and former member firms and individual registrants under the Investment Dealer and Partially Consolidated Rules (for investment dealers), the Mutual Fund Dealer Rules (for mutual fund dealers) and the Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR) is available on CIRO's website. 

Background information regarding the qualifications and disciplinary history, if any, of advisors currently employed by CIRO-regulated investment firms is available free of charge through the AdvisorReport service. Information on how to make dealer, advisor or marketplace-related complaints is available by calling 1-877-442-4322.

CIRO investigates possible misconduct by its member firms and individual registrants. It can bring disciplinary proceedings which may result in sanctions including fines, suspensions, permanent bars, expulsion from membership, or termination of rights and privileges for individuals and firms.

The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is the national self-regulatory organization that oversees all investment dealers, mutual fund dealers and trading activity on Canada's debt and equity marketplaces. CIRO is committed to the protection of investors, providing efficient and consistent regulation, and building Canadians' trust in financial regulation and the people managing their investments. For more information, visit www.ciro.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO)