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Metro Realty is a Kentucky brokerage with Principal Broker Helen. Helen designates Sales Associate Kevin to represent buyer Diane and Sales Associate Lisa to represent seller Frank in the same transaction. During the transaction, Diane asks Kevin whether Frank would accept a significantly lower offer. Kevin, knowing that Frank has already told Lisa he is desperate to sell quickly, shares this information with Diane. Under Kentucky's designated agency framework, which of the following BEST describes the legal and ethical consequences of Kevin's disclosure?

Correct Answer

D) Kevin violated his duty of confidentiality to Frank as an unintended third party, and Helen may face disciplinary action for inadequate supervision of the designated agency arrangement.

In Kentucky's designated agency framework under 201 KAR 11:121, designated agents owe fiduciary duties — including confidentiality — to their respective clients. When Kevin was designated to represent buyer Diane, he did not represent Frank. However, Frank's confidential information (his urgency to sell) was shared with Lisa as Frank's designated agent and must remain confidential within the designated agency structure. Kevin's disclosure of Frank's confidential information to Diane violated the integrity of the designated agency arrangement. Furthermore, under KRS 324.160, Principal Broker Helen bears supervisory responsibility and can face disciplinary action for failing to establish adequate information barriers (ethical walls) between the two designated agents to prevent exactly this type of confidentiality breach.

Answer Options
A
Kevin's disclosure is permissible because Frank's motivation to sell is not a material defect and therefore is not protected confidential information under Kentucky law.
B
Kevin's disclosure is permissible because designated agents in the same brokerage share information freely to facilitate the transaction.
C
Kevin breached his fiduciary duty to Diane by sharing information she did not need, but Lisa bears no responsibility because she did not share the information herself.
D
Kevin violated his duty of confidentiality to Frank as an unintended third party, and Helen may face disciplinary action for inadequate supervision of the designated agency arrangement.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

designated_agencyconfidentialityfiduciary_dutyprincipal_broker_supervision201_kar_11_121krs_324_160

Related Concepts

A tie-in arrangement is an illegal antitrust practice in which a seller conditions the purchase of one product or service on the buyer's agreement to purchase a separate product or service.

A trust account, also called an escrow account, is a separate bank account maintained by a broker to hold funds belonging to others, such as earnest money deposits, security deposits, or other client funds.

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