CPL Interiors fined $761,967 after pleading guilty in GTA condo refurbishment bid-rigging scheme

high rise condo
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Ontario Construction News staff writer

Construction company CPL Interiors Ltd. was fined $761,967 last Monday (Jan. 17) after pleading guilty before the Ontario Superior Court for its role in a criminal bid-rigging conspiracy, the federal Competition Bureau said in a statement.

The bid-rigging scheme victimized condominium corporations in the Greater Toronto Area.

The company admitted to conspiring with several competing businesses to allocate customers and fix bid prices on 31 refurbishment contracts issued by private condominium corporations between 2009 and 2014, the news release reported. The value of the contracts totalled more than $19 million.

Generally speaking, bid-rigging schemes result in victims paying higher prices for goods and services.

Following a Competition Bureau investigation, criminal charges were laid in March 2021 against CPL Interiors as well as three other companies and their owners. Court proceedings are ongoing against the remaining accused.

The other companies and individuals were charged under the Criminal Code with conspiracy to rig bids, conspiracy to commit fraud, and fraud over $5,000:

  • TRI-CAN Contract Incorporated and owner Bob Vlahopoulos;
  • JCO & Associates (912547 Ontario Inc.) and owner Jose De Oliveira; as well as
  • LAR Condominium Refurbishment Specialists (Lidio Romanin Construction Company Limited) and owner Tony Romanin.

The Competition Bureau says CPL Interiors received leniency in sentencing for its full co-operation throughout the bureau’s investigation and its agreement to testify in any resulting prosecutions.

Those who believe they are involved in an illegal agreement with their competitors can come forward to seek immunity or leniency in return for their cooperation with the Bureau’s investigation through its Immunity and Leniency Programs.

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