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 star broker of the show Numbers 1 at CASA as well as her 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 exercising 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.
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 interviews of Ms. Girouard and Mr. Dauphinais-Fortin.
The OACIQ trustee’s investigation identified four properties targeted by bogus offers, two more than La Presse had published in mid-May.
Ms. Girouard took notes while Mr. Dauphinais-Fortin listened to the lawyers for both parties argue their case.
Considering the extent of the documents provided, the lawyers for the brokers requested that the meeting be postponed until they were familiarized with them. “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 Me Rémi Bourget, stressing that Ms. Girouard “wants to clear her reputation”.
“[Ms. Girouard] won’t go to jail tomorrow morning, but still, she won’t be allowed to earn a living. From a reputational point of view, it is already very, very heavy to bear, it will become even more so,” pleaded 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 license, in addition to having to pay a fine of at least $2,000 and at 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 Ms. Girouard and Mr. Dauphinais-Fortin have the right to a 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 possibly be prosecuted in civil and criminal proceedings.
Spring 2022: Christine Girouard and Jonathan Dauphinais-Fortin use relatives to make bogus purchase offers on properties put up for sale by Ms. Girouard in an attempt to create artificial one-ups.
May 17, 2023: Publication of the La Presse investigation. 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.
