June 23, 2015 — OTTAWA, ON — Competition Bureau
Three Montreal‑based telemarketers have been sentenced by the Court of Québec for their role in a deceptive telemarketing operation that sold business directories, subscriptions to online directories, office supplies and first aid kits using misleading sales techniques that targeted thousands of businesses in Canada, the United States, Europe and Central America.
Amalia DiFalco, a senior officer within the operation, pleaded guilty on April 8, 2015, to charges of making misleading representations and engaging in deceptive telemarketing under the Competition Act. At that time, she was fined $50,000 and received a 15‑month conditional sentence and 120 hours of community service.
Éric Chenail and Carl Rubat‑Du‑Mérac, also involved in the operation, pleaded guilty on April 16, 2015. Mr. Rubat‑du‑Mérac pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in deceptive telemarketing under the Act, and on May 29, 2015, he was ordered to make a donation of $5,000 to a charitable organization and received a 2‑month conditional sentence and 175 hours of community service.
Éric Chenail pleaded guilty to charges of making misleading representations and engaging in deceptive telemarketing under the Act. Yesterday, he was fined $10,000 and received a 4‑month conditional sentence and 175 hours of community service.
Quick facts
- Products were sold under the company names of Merchant Retail Supplies, Electronic Transaction Supplies, Express Transaction Services, IT Data Direct, Mega Byte Information, International Secure Technologies, Paper Roll Logistics and Services de fournitures aux détaillants.
- Five individuals and four Montreal‑based companies were charged in September 2011 with making misleading representations and engaging in deceptive telemarketing under the Act, and fraud under the Criminal Code of Canada.
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