Saint John real estate agent and agency lose licence to operate

Saint John real estateagentGerald David Webster has had his licence to sell real estate cancelled.

The licences for Webster andUnity Realty Inc., doing business under the nameRealty Executives Saint John, were cancelled on July12 bythe Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB).

In a news release, FCNBstated Webster, who was theagency's licensed manager, had refused to comply with an order of the Director of Consumer Affairs related to irregularities in his trust account.As a result, he was thesubject of a disciplinary hearing before the New Brunswick Real Estate Association (NBREA)

"In particular, Mr. Webster appeared to have transferred deposit monies that were in dispute out of his trust account without proper authorization, and had not complied with an order of the NBREA to return the funds to his trust account," the release stated.

Webster was supposed to appear beforeFCNB'sDirector of Consumer Affairs on June 23 but did not attend.

Using evidence it already had, the director cancelled Webster'slicence as a manager and the agency's licence, as well.

Under the provisions of theReal Estate Agents Act,neither Webster nor Unity, the agency, is entitled to apply for a new licence for a period of one year.

Webster's business website said he has been a real estate agent since 1985.

FCNB said consumers who have a real estate listing with Webster can contactthemwith any questions.