The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has permanently banned a former Melbourne financial adviser from providing financial services, it announced today.
David Lee Harwood operated a Victorian business, The Pension Specialists in Brighton, and was an authorised representative with Professional Investment Services Pty Ltd, ASIC said.
ASIC found that in the period between January 1991 and April 2005, Harwood misappropriated around $459,000 from 20 elderly clients.
The money plus interest, over $484 000, has since been repaid.
ASIC also found that Harwood created false documents for his clients or their representatives in order to conceal the misappropriation.
The ASIC investigation followed a breach notification they received from Professional Investment Services.
