The OACIQ syndic’s investigation found at least two other cases of phony offers aimed at creating an artificial one-upmanship, we learned during the disciplinary hearing of real estate brokers Christine Girouard and Jonathan Dauphinais- Fortin Wednesday in Brossard.
The show’s star broker Numbers 1 to CASA and his business and life partner went to the offices of the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ) accompanied by their lawyers. The hearing to which they were invited aimed to determine whether the two brokers should be prevented from practicing their profession until the end of the disciplinary process.
This urgent request from the syndic is an exceptional measure aimed at protecting the public, the OACIQ said.
Sixteen hours of recordings
Voluminous evidence was disclosed by the plaintiff’s attorney, Isabelle Martel. These are 40,000 pages of exchanges and discussions between brokers as well as promises to purchase. The evidence also includes nearly 16 hours of video recordings of Ms.me Girouard and M. Dauphinais-Fortin.
The OACIQ trustee’s investigation identified four properties targeted by bogus offers, two more than had been published The Press in mid-May.
Mme Girouard took notes while Mr. Dauphinais-Fortin listened to the lawyers of the two parties plead.
Considering the extent of the documents provided, the lawyers for the brokers requested that the meeting be postponed until they were read. “It is simply impossible to be ready today to respond to a procedure which is a procedure with serious consequences. It’s still not trivial, “said Mr.e Rémi Bourget, emphasizing that Mr.me Girouard “wants to clear his reputation”.
” [Mme Girouard] won’t go to jail tomorrow morning, but still, she won’t be allowed to earn a living. On the reputational level, it is already very, very heavy to bear, it will become even more so, ”argued the lawyer for the two brokers.
At the end of the disciplinary process, brokers expose themselves to sanctions that can range from a simple reprimand to the suspension or even revocation of their licence, in addition to having to pay a fine of at least $2,000 and plus $50,000 for each count. Christine Girouard faces six counts, while Jonathan Dauphinais-Fortin is the subject of one count.
After four hours of debate on the request for a postponement of the hearing, the chairman of the disciplinary committee, Patrick de Niverville, agreed to postpone it to June 21.
He considered that the protection of the public was not in danger, because the two brokers are already the subject of an administrative suspension of their licenses and they have undertaken in writing not to practice their profession.
Patrick de Niverville justified his decision by also mentioning the fact that Mme Girouard and Mr. Dauphinais-Fortin have the right to full and complete defence, and that their lawyers need the time necessary to study and analyze the evidence.
In addition to the OACIQ investigation, the two brokers and those who participated in the fabrication of bogus offers could eventually be prosecuted in civil and criminal proceedings.
The story so far
Spring 2022: Christine Girouard and Jonathan Dauphinais-Fortin use relatives to make bogus purchase offers on properties put up for sale by Mme Girouard in order to create artificial outbids.
May 17, 2023: Publication of the survey of The Press. RE/MAX D’ICI terminates the contracts of Christine Girouard and Jonathan Dauphinais-Fortin.
May 19, 2023: The OACIQ orders the administrative suspension of the licenses of the two brokers.