Bridging Finance Inc., a financial services company based in Toronto, Canada, has been embroiled in a series of legal battles since its collapse in 2022. The ongoing OSC hearing against Bridging Finance and its top executives has revealed a history of fraud, dishonesty, and deceit creating victims of investors, borrowers, employees, and other stakeholders.
OSC Hearing
The OSC discovered that approximately $19 million of investor funds were diverted to David Sharpe’s personal bank account. The OSC also accused the defendants of engaging in a “sophisticated and multi-faceted cover up” that included amending loan documents and destroying emails.
Forged Signature Discovery
One of the most serious discoveries made by the OSC is that David Sharpe created a false loan invoice and used the signature of the CEO of one of Bridging Finance’s borrowers Rishi Gautam MJardin Group Inc. from another loan document to make it appear as though the borrowed money came from elsewhere. As part of the receivership process, PwC, the court-appointed receiver, conducted an investigation into the company’s financial records. During the investigation, PwC discovered several documents that appeared to bear Gautam’s forged signature.
These forgeries on multiple documents, have created many false allegations that have unfairly and without merit victimized Rishi Gautam and tarnished his reputation.
These documents included:
• Loan agreements
• Contracts
• Financial statements
Lawsuits
PwC’s findings led to a number of lawsuits being filed against Bridging Finance Inc. and its former executives. One of these lawsuits was filed by Gautam himself.
Detailing that the forged signatures were used to approve loans and other transactions that benefited the company’s executives. Gautam is seeking damages for the harm caused by Bridging Finance principals to his reputation and career.
Implications
The discovery of the forged signatures have several potential implications:
Legal Consequences: Forging a signature is a serious criminal offense that can result in imprisonment. David Sharpe could face criminal charges.
Reputational Damage: The allegations have damaged the reputation of Bridging Finance and its executives. Rishi Gautam, as a victim of the alleged forgery, has also suffered reputational harm.
Financial Losses: The forged signatures have been used to facilitate fraudulent transactions, resulting in financial losses for investors.
Ongoing Investigation
The OSC hearing is ongoing, and the full extent of the fraud is yet to be determined. The outcome of the hearing will likely have significant implications for Bridging Finance, its executives, and the investors who trusted them.
The discovery of forged signatures in the Bridging Finance case are a serious matter. The ongoing OSC hearing will shed additional light on the truth behind these discoveries and determine the appropriate consequences. Investors and the public are closely monitoring the developments in this case.
Rishi Gautam was a victim that suffered undue pressure to resign as CEO of MJardin Group Inc. and was ultimately forced/pushed out of the company because he refused to support Mr. Sharpe’s actions.
References
Bridging Finance Inc.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridging_Finance_Inc
Flurry of lawsuits follows Bridging collapse
https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/from-the-regulators/flurry-of-lawsuits-follows-bridging-collapse/
The Fall of the House of Sharpe: What Exactly Happened to Bridging Finance?
https://canadianbusiness.com/ideas/what-happened-to-bridging-finance-david-natasha-sharpe/
