The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that multiple rental-property companies founded by Todd Slater, a former talk-radio host and real-estate investor, have filed for insolvency. The Globe's Shane Dingman writes that over the past decade, the Simple Investor Real Estate Group, or SIREG, purchased existing multifamily rental buildings across Ontario and converted them into condominiums. The company also provided property-management services, including collecting and remitting rent payments. Mr. Slater marketed these purchases on-line and in seminars as a simple way to become a real-estate investor. Some investors were sold a riskier option to contribute capital -- and collect high interest along the way -- to a joint venture that would purchase a new rental building and begin the conversion process. An e-mail sent Sept. 18 to SIREG stakeholders warning that future rent or dividend payments were being suspended amid "liquidity challenges." SIREG has appointed AlixPartners its insolvency trustee. The e-mail also said Mr. Slater had "stepped away" from management for "health reasons." The Ontario Securities Commission declined to comment on whether it had received any complaints or had opened an investigation.