British Columbia

Richmond man who admitted to insider trading to pay $20K to B.C. Securities Commission

The B.C. Securities Commission says a Richmond man who admitted to insider trading has agreed to pay the commission $20,000 as part of a settlement.

Robert Findlay is also prohibited from trading or purchasing certain kinds of securities

Insider trading is defined as using confidential information to buy or trade stocks on the stock market to your advantage. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

The B.C. Securities Commission says it has settled with a Richmond man who admitted to insider trading. 

According to the independent provincial government agency, Robert Findlay was a consultant for Vancouver-based oil and gas company Simba Energy Inc.

As part of his work, Findlay knew about an upcoming agreement with a Middle Eastern company willing to invest in Simba Energy's future exploration costs. 

"Findlay bought 300,000 shares of Simba Energy three days before the agreement was announced," the commission said in a news release. "If he had sold his shares when it was announced, he would have earned $7,000. This transaction constituted insider trading."

Findlay admitted to the indiscretion and has agreed to pay the commission $20,000 as part of his settlement.

He is also banned from trading or purchasing securities or exchange contracts from anybody who he has a "special relationship" as defined by provincial Securities Act.