Former financial adviser Ashley Grant Howard has been charged with 17 offences in Australia.
Howard’s lawyer represented him at a local court on 13 May 2022, after he had been charged with 17 counts of using a false document.
According to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (Asic), it is alleged that Howard used 17 false forms to arrange for shares in GP Alliance Holdings Limited, BHP Billiton Limited, and Aquarius Platinum Limited to be transferred from one party to another.
The Commonwealth director of prosecution – who took the case after a referral from the regulator – claims that the former adviser knowingly used the false documents.
The transfers are believed to have taken place between July 2013 and April 2014 and were allegedly made without the knowledge nor the approval of 14 shareholders.
The prosecution claims that the shares were then sent to Howard and an associate of his.
The ex-financial adviser is being tried for alleged breaches of the Crimes Act 1900 (New South Wales), under which the maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to A$11,000 (£6,250, $8,244, €7,500).
Howard was permanently banned in 2016 by Asic for engaging in dishonest conduct, unauthorised trades, providing financial services without a licence or authorisation, and engaging in misleading conduct.
The regulator clarified that the 17 charges are not related to Howard’s previous ban.
