B.C. realtor who forged signature of mom's dead boyfriend suspended 3 months
A B.C. real estate agent who forged the signature of her mother's deceased boyfriend as part of a 2016 condo deal has been handed a three-month licence suspension.
Renee Genieve Doe Wei Lam, who goes by Genie Lam, must also pay a $7,500 disciplinary penalty and $1,500 in enforcement expenses to the B.C. Financial Services Authority.
Details of the Richmond realtor's misconduct were made public last week in a consent order published on the BCFSA website, which identifies Lam's mother as C.L. and her mom's partner as H.L.
Lam told the regulator that prior to H.L.'s death in August 2016, he had signed an agreement transferring the assignment for a $388,000 condo to her mother. Lam claimed to have lost that agreement, possibly while moving homes the same year.
H.L. had already paid $95,590 towards the home, and gifted Lam's mother a cheque for $320,000 to cover the rest on Aug. 24, two days before his death.
According to the consent order, H.L. had been feeling unwell, but "refused to go to the hospital because he worried his family would discover the relationship with C.L."
Instead, he "laid down for a nap and did not wake up," the document reads.
Lam told the regulator that when she decided to falsify H.L's signature on a new assignment agreement, she was distraught over the death of a man she had come to affectionately call "uncle" – and was also concerned about keeping their relationship a secret, as per their wishes.
The consent order does not explain why the couple wanted secrecy.
While trying to complete the agreement, Lam also gave the impression H.L. was "out of town" – implying that he wasn't dead – and falsely claimed to be representing both him and as her mother as a dual agent, according to the BCFSA.
"Ms. Lam knew or ought to have known that she was no longer the agent for H.L. because of his death," the consent order reads.
The property was successfully transferred to Lam's mother in October 2016, and remains in her name.
H.L.'s estate later filed a civil suit against Lam and her mother, but it was dismissed in 2019 after the parties agreed to a confidential settlement.
The dead man's son also filed a complaint against Lam in 2018, which resulted in the BCFSA's investigation. The regulator noted that Lam co-operated with investigators, expressed remorse about her misconduct, made no commission on the 2016 sale, and had no history of formal disciplinary proceedings.
Her three-month suspension began on Jan. 1, and she is barred from acting as an unlicensed assistant until the suspension period is over.
The consent order notes that while the Real Estate Services Act was amended in September 2016 to "substantially increase the available penalty ranges," Lam's conduct preceded the change in legislation, meaning she could only be punished using the previously available penalties.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.