As a result of an investigation of alleged violations of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, Mr. Hope entered into a settlement agreement under the Joint Ethics Enforcement Program, effective September 23, 2024.
Information came to the attention of the ethics charging authority (ECA – AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee) alleging a potential disciplinary matter with respect to Mr. Hope’s fulfillment of professional responsibilities in his communication with advisors at the Global Engagement Center of the AICPA.
The ECA reviewed the allegation, Mr. Hope’s responses to the ECA’s inquiries, and other relevant documents he submitted to support his response. Based on this information, the ECA charged Mr. Hope with a violation of the rules of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct as follows:
Violation
Acts Discreditable Rule (1.400.001)
Mr. Hope committed a pattern of acts discreditable to the profession when he used profane and discriminatory language in telephone communications with advisors in the Global Engagement Center of the AICPA on October 4, 2023, and October 31, 2023.
Agreement
In consideration of the ECA forgoing further investigation of Mr. Hope’s conduct as described above, and in consideration of the ECA forgoing any further proceedings in the matter, Mr. Hope agreed as follows:
To waive his rights to a hearing under AICPA bylaws section 7.4.To neither admit nor deny the above specified charges.To his expulsion from membership in the AICPA from the effective date of this agreement. His expulsion from the AICPA includes the loss of his AICPA credentials and certificates.That the ECA shall publish his name and the charges, and the terms of this settlement agreement.