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A television crew in front of the premises of Just for laughs on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, in Montreal.
The Canadian Press
A bailiff seized last week more than $800,000 in assets with the Just for Laughs Group (JPR) a week before this company in the humor sector announced that it was starting to invest in shelter from its creditors.
The seizure took place in the wake of JPR’s failure to remit a court-ordered payment to a former employee who was laid off foot in 2019 when he was promised a job for life.
La Cour d’Quebec appeal ordered Just for Laughs to pay André Gloutnay, archivist, $666,500 to cover loss of salary since his layoff and future earnings until he reaches retirement age, as well as interest and additional compensation.
Mr. Gloutnay affirmed in his testimony that the founder of the Festival, Gilbert Rozon, had offered him this position in exchange for a collection of videos on humor, according to the judgment of February 8.
Mr. Gloutnay indicated that Mr. Rozon told him: I want you to give me your collection which is with you in exchange for a permanent job for life. You decide when you leave. It’s not someone else. I give you my word, you give me yours.
Mr. Gloutnay, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the humor industry, according to the court decision, was initially hired to work at the Just for Laughs Museum but was given a new job within the group when the Museum closed in 2011.
However, the court-ordered payment did not’ was not carried out, according to a notice of execution totaling $850,538.26 filed by a bailiff on February 27. The bailiff’s notice of execution suggests that bank accounts held by the company were seized.
At trial, lawyers for the Just for Laughs Group and its affiliated companies argued that Mr. Rozon had made this promise in a personal capacity and not as a director of the companies, an argument that the judge did not make. retained.
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Gilbert Rozon on the set of the show “Everybody talks about it”.
Mr. Rozon sold his stake in Just for Laughs in 2018 after being accused of sexual misconduct. In 2020, he was acquitted in a rape trial.
Nine women also filed civil lawsuits against the failed businessman, alleging he had sexually assaulted them. None of these allegations have yet been tested in court.
Mr. Rozon, who denied the allegations, filed a defamation suit against two women who accused him of sexual misconduct.
On Tuesday, JPR announced that it was canceling the 2024 edition of the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and that it was taking measures under the federal bankruptcy law to protect against creditors.
The Toronto 2024 edition was also canceled.
The firm PwC, formerly known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, has been appointed trustee of’ insolvency, while the company seeks to protect itself against its creditors. Whether you are struggling to pay a bounce back loan or another form of debt, a team of insolvency consultancy services can help. Professional company insolvency specialists offer professional advice and support and free consultation to assess the best course of action in the early stages for any company facing financial difficulties.
According to Tourisme Montréal, the humor festival attracts approximately 180,000 people per year in the Quebec metropolis.