Multiple businesses and owners charged in relation to alleged conspiracy to rig condominium refurbishment bids in GTA
Published March 29, 2021 at 10:30 pm
Multiple businesses and individuals have been charged in relation to a conspiracy to manipulate bids for condominium refurbishment services in the GTA.
The Competition Bureau of Canada has announced it has laid charges against four companies and three of their owners under the Criminal Code.
TRI-CAN Contract Incorporated and owner Bob Vlahopoulos, JCO and Associates and owner Jose De Oliveira, LAR Condominium Refurbishment Specialists and owner Tony Romanin were charged with conspiracy to rig bids, conspiracy to commit fraud, and fraud over $5,000.
Additionally, CPL Interiors Ltd., was charged under the conspiracy provision of the Competition Act, for its alleged role in the scheme.
According to the Bureau, these businesses allegedly conspired to rig bids for refurbishment contracts issued by private condominium corporations in the GTA between 2009 and 2014.
The result was condominium corporations and owners having to pay higher prices for goods and services.
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“Criminal conspiracies that undermine competitive markets can cause extreme damage to our economy. The message should be loud and clear: if you enter into criminal agreements with your competitors, we will do everything in our power to uncover the facts and bring the evidence to court,” Matthew Boswell, commissioner of competition with the Competition Bureau of Canada, said in a news release.
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