June 2022 by Payam Ala'i
As a rookie, I managed to acquire a corp. client, asking Rob Gawthrop with 30+ years experience for mentorship, paying him 50% for compensation. Client had 12-15 employees.Because of his experience in the industry and his agenda, he took full advantage of me as a rookie.He managed putting all accounts under his name, getting 100% control, and concealing compensations.I didn't have a clue for what was happening until he asked me a fee of $250/hr. for his time managing the accounts. This was on top of the fact he had put all accounts under his name.Basically he put the accounts with Manulife, although I told him Manulife wouldn't contract me. Manulife is the only carrier refusing to contract an agent who owns a business outside the industry. There were 6-7 other ins. companies carrying similar products which Rob could have picked. That way accounts would be under both of our names, and I could have some control.Rob wouldn't let me know of his frequent visits to client's office except few occasions.At this time, I made a complaint against him. Agencies and council are not responsible for disputes among advisors, but agency kindly audited him on what was available at the time. It showed Rob owed me around $1,800 for commissions incl. a portion of around $600 for chargebacks due in 2021.Rob put a condition for chargeback payments, me accepting debt balance to be $0. I refused, telling him whenever I find other matters of such nature, I will send him an invoice (one in which he never showed me, statements of policy renewals in 2021 when accounts' ownership already had been transferred to me in Jan. 2021. Also that he didn't do anything during this time as an AOR). As a result he hasn't paid the fees up until this day.Council mentioned twice that the case was mismanaged, and felt sorry that such matters occurred. They encouraged me to reach the courts.Rob never cooperated giving me copy of the policies or even policy numbers. Rob stayed as an agent on record (AOR) since Manu wouldn't contract me. Unfortunately, at the time corp. client didn't have time to switch to another insurance company in order for me to become the new agent on record (AOR).Suddenly Rob stepped down in 2021 as an AOR, offering the client he would bring an advisor in 3 days to take over. Client panicked for not having an AOR, and told me to bring an advisor in 3 days. An advisor on my behalf sent necessary forms to the client. What was missing were policy copies and policy numbers which Rob wouldn't provide. It made it impossible for us to go any further. A day before the deadline, I stepped down since I thought Rob has given all parties a headache and it's not worth fighting him.I started having health implications in a matter of an hour after Rob refused passing me policies' information. I was worried for the well-being of corp. employees since I felt they have been left with no help. I have a copy of the e-mail + emergency room's confirmation. MDs told me I shouldn't have stress, and that's why I let it go fighting Rob.Corporate client thanked me in written for my services during the years.It takes years for a life insurance agent to only survive. I could have built decent clientele after this by referrals, etc. Rob ruined this opportunity since he had another agenda. He was unconcerned for my reputation as well as my relationship with client. He wasn't at risk since client was a very close friend of mine and not his.Rob Gawthrop found "Gawthrop Financial Group Inc." most probably 30+ years ago. The advantage was that his family name was mentioned on the corp. name. His daughter is assisting him for several years as a licensed advisor and most probably a successor. What could be the reason business name got changed? Basically, it was after our disputes!His new website named Tune Financial doesn't mention "Previously Gawthrop Financial" when on his google review here it does. You see pictures of him and daughter on his new website without mentioning th
