AMF seeks $1.3 million fine, jail time

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) has launched penal proceedings in the judicial district of Iberville against Richard Longpré for violations in connection with illegal distributions. The AMF filed 133 charges and is seeking fines totalling $1,305,000 and a prison term.

More specifically, the AMF accuses Longpré of acting illegally as a securities dealer on 61 occasions and of making illegal distributions on 61 occasions. The AMF also accuses him of making misrepresentations to investors on 11 occasions by declaring that the investments he was proposing were very safe and involved no risk, although they pertained to the purchase of shares.

The AMF investigation revealed that the actions of Longpré, a former representative in insurance of persons, group insurance of persons as well as group savings plan brokerage, resulted in the loss of $1,320,000 by 33 investors between 1998 and 2009. He reimbursed some investors a total of $211,000.

Drawing on the relationship of trust he established with his clients, Longpré proposed to some clients that they lend him money so that he could invest the funds on their behalf, letting them believe that he had privileged access for purchasing shares in various oil companies. He also proposed to other clients that they lend him money to purchase more powerful computers so he could better “manage” the assets of his clients. In exchange, Longpré promised an annual return of 8% and issued term notes to the lenders.

The penalties being sought against Longpré include fines that are three times the minimum amounts set out in the Securities Act. In seeking these penalties, namely, a prison term and over $1.3 million in fines, the AMF cites various aggravating factors, including the duration of the violations, the misappropriation of funds, breach of trust and the consequences on victims whose financial position he was familiar with.

Longpré was permanently struck off the roll by the Chambre de la sécurité financière in October 2010.

Staff

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