Dimitra Kostarides, Denis Coderre’s candidate who found herself at the center of a financial scandal in 2003, will be the subject of a disciplinary investigation.
The Financial Security Chamber (CSF) confirmed on Wednesday to Press that she would look into the case of the ex-partner of KPLV, a firm which several savers accused of having cheated them.
“The Financial Security Chamber is concerned about the situation,” said Daniel Richard, in charge of communications for the CSF, by email. “In addition to the ongoing audits, the Financial Security Chamber has asked its trustee to investigate the allegations concerning Mr.me Kostarides. ”
The CSF oversees the work of 32,000 financial advisers in Quebec. It is not a professional order, but rather a self-regulatory body.
Saturday, Press revealed Mme Kostarides, who is trying to become a municipal councilor in Côte-des-Neiges – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce for Ensemble Montreal.
The 54-year-old had her house seized in 2006 to reimburse savers who felt they had been cheated. She had also been the subject of other civil proceedings and the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) had interfered in the case, accusing her (and another partner of KPLV) of having invested the savings of clients. in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mme Kostarides, however, has never been criminally charged.
In the following days, Denis Coderre continued to support his candidate.
Mme Kostarides (who wrote her name “Demetra Kostaredes” until the financial scandal broke) was able to continue working in the financial field. She works as “Insurance Strategy Director” at SFL Wealth Management, a Desjardins partner firm. Mme Kostarides even appears in the bank of financial advisers who may be called upon to sit on a disciplinary committee of the CSF.
“We have also informed the chairman of the Discipline Committee who will be able to take the necessary measures according to the rules of the Chamber’s Discipline Committee,” said Daniel Richard. “We will not be making any further comments given the ongoing investigation process. ”
Earlier Wednesday, Mr. Richard clarified that Mr.me Kostarides had not heard of a disciplinary case since his registration in the bank of potential members of disciplinary committees.
Late Wednesday evening, Ensemble Montreal continued to support its candidate.
“On our side, we discussed it with the candidate and we are satisfied with her version of the facts,” said Élizabeth Lemay, communications officer for the political party. “Now we’ll let the investigation take its course. We [ne doute pas] that the investigation will come out in his favor. ”