Brampton Builder Jailed for Unfair Business Practices

December 5, 2008

Pichas Tofman, operator of Primo Home Builders in Brampton, will spend 20 days in jail for engaging in unfair business practices under Ontario’s consumer protection laws.

The Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services’ Consumer Protection Branch began investigating Mr. Tofman in August 2005. The investigation arose from complaints from consumers who lost large deposits of money and were left, by Tofman, with damage to their properties that had to be repaired by other contractors.

Mr. Tofman’s jail term will be followed by a 2-year term of probation. The court has also ordered him to pay over $53,000 in restitution to the victims and to refrain from selling his services door-to-door for two years after release.

The Consumer Protection Act imposes fines of up to $250,000 for corporations and $50,000 for individuals convicted of infractions. It also provides for jail terms of two years less a day on each offence. The act also empowers courts to order offenders to pay compensation or make restitution to victims.

Mark Skaff, Communications, 416-326-7279