Summary table of sentences in counterfeiting cases
(by province)
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
R. v. Crocker
2011 BCSC 1801
DESCRIPTION
Following the arrest of Mr. Crocker, the police found $165,010.00 in
counterfeit Canadian bank notes, $1,900.00 in counterfeit U.S. notes,
and various instruments used for making counterfeit money.
On sentencing, the judge considered the following aggravating factors:
the large amount of material and equipment necessary to manufacture
counterfeit money, the fact that Mr. Crocker was running a marijuanagrowing operation in a residential apartment, the dangerous manner in
which he fled in his car when the police attempted to place him under
arrest, and Mr. Crocker’s possession of a significant number of letter
mail belonging to other individuals. With respect to mitigating factors,
the judge took into account the remorse that Mr. Crocker expressed and
his guilty plea.
SENTENCE
A 3 years prison
term for making
counterfeit money
and one year for
all of the other
offences, for a
total of 48 months
of imprisonment.
(48 months minus
20 months of time
served).
The judge also stated that case law recognized the extremely negative
consequences that counterfeit money has on the acceptance and use of
money by the community and by businesses. The judge also stressed
that the difference between Mr. Crocker’s case and that of Mr. Lindt,
who received a conditional sentence, was the fact that Mr. Crocker
committed several offences after his first arrest.
R. v. Homeniuk
2011 BCPC 114
(CanLII)
Ms. Homeniuk pleaded guilty to the four following counts: three counts
for uttering counterfeit money and one count for possession of
counterfeit US currency. Ms. Homeniuk was found in possession of one
counterfeit US $50 bill. She also uttered a few $50 bills of counterfeit
Canadian currency. Ms. Homeniuk was the common law partner of Mr.
Lindt (see decision below). She had no priors.
A 3-month
conditional
sentence
15 month
probation
R. v. Lindt
2011 BCPC 113
(CanLII)
M. Lindt pleaded guilty to the following counts: (1) making counterfeit
money, (2) possession of counterfeit US currency, (3) possession of
equipment for the purpose of making counterfeit money. In relation to
counts (2) and (3), Mr. Lindt was jointly accused with Mr. McGaw (see
decision below). Mr. Lindt made at least $96, 200 of counterfeit US
currency and $129,450 of counterfeit Canadian currency. Mr. Lindt had
priors of fraud, and assault causing bodily harm.
A 2-year less a
day
conditional
sentence
R. v. McGaw
2010 BCPC 422
(CanLII)
Mr. McGaw pleaded guilty at the preliminary hearing to the following
offences: possession of counterfeit Canadian currency and counterfeit
US currency, and possession of equipment for the purpose of making
counterfeit money. Mr. McGaw was observed purchasing three ink
cartridges. In doing so he breached his recognizance. He was arrested
on May 13 while in a motor vehicle with his father. $77,400 in
counterfeit US currency was found in the motor vehicle, as well as a
cutting device, a continuous ink system and other paraphernalia used to
make counterfeit currency.
A 36-month
prison term
(2 months prison
term
plus 34 months
for
time served)
In total, $96,200 in counterfeit US currency and 129,450 in counterfeit
Canadian currency were seized. Mr. McGaw had previous convictions,
which included a 2006 sentence for possession of counterfeit money for
which he received 75 days of imprisonment.
R. v. Wallden
2007 BCPC 122
(CanLII)
Mr. Wallden pleaded guilty to a charge of making counterfeit money.
The operation was very sophisticated. An amount of $19,000 in
counterfeit money was seized.
R. v. Goruk
2007 BCPC 219
(CanLII)
Mr. Goruk pleaded guilty to several offences: making counterfeit
money, possessing counterfeit money, possessing equipment for the
purposes of making counterfeit money, and possession of marijuana and
cocaine. The police seized Can$32,430 and US$261, as well as
equipment typically used in counterfeiting: computers, scanners,
printers, special paper, etc. Mr. Goruk admitted to having printed
approximately $200,000.
A 22-month
prison term
(6 months prison
term
plus 16 months
for time served)
A 12-month
probation
A 5-year, 2month prison term
plus 10 months
for time served,
amounting to a
total of 6 years
Mr. Goruk was 52 years old and had been in and out of jail most of his
adult life for property and drug-related offences and for crimes of
violence. He had already served several long sentences, including four
years for making counterfeit money in 1999.
R. v. Sponaugle
2006 BCPC 127
(CanLII)
Mr. Sponaugle pleaded guilty to several charges of possessing
counterfeit money. Along with five other persons, he was involved in
uttering counterfeit Canadian and U.S. bank notes. Approximately
$6,000 was circulated. Mr. Sponaugle had a long criminal record, but no
related prior convictions.
A 2-year prison
term
R. v. Grozell
2004 BCPC 502
(CanLII)
Mr. Grozell pleaded guilty to several offences, including possessing,
uttering, and making counterfeit money, impersonation, and fraudulent
use of credit card data. The police seized a portable computer, an ink-jet
printer, Can$7,500 uncut bank notes, and Can$1,900 and US$1,190
bank notes.
A 26-month
prison term plus
12 months for
time served,
amounting to a
total of 38 months
*ratio greater than
two for one
Mr. Grozell was also arrested on another occasion. A search of his
vehicle yielded, among other things, the following counterfeit bank
notes: six Can$100, two Can$5, one Can$20, and one US$20. In
addition, a portable computer with images of various denominations, a
photocopier, and other equipment associated with making counterfeit
money were found at his residence.
R. v. Le
1993 CanLII 1882
(BC C.A.)
Mr. Le was found guilty of possessing and uttering counterfeit money.
He had 24 counterfeit bank notes in his possession. Mr. Le was a painter
for 30 years and had no criminal record. He was supporting his wife and
two children.
A 9-month prison
term
R. v. Bernsten
(1988) B.C.J. 1180
Mr. Bernsten uttered a US$20 bill and was found in possession of 11
other counterfeit bank notes. Mr. Bernsten was 25 years old. He had no
criminal record and held a regular job.
A 6-month prison
term
The trial judge’s sentence was upheld on appeal.
R. v. Leung
(1985) B.C.J. No.
2165 (B.C.C.A.)
ALBERTA
Three defendants with no criminal records pleaded guilty to several
offences of possessing counterfeit traveller’s cheques and money,
uttering fraudulent traveller’s cheques, and using forged documents.
A 2-year prison
term (1st and 3rd
defendant)
The first defendant was found in possession of counterfeit traveller’s
cheques with a value of US$65,000 and US$1,600. The second
defendant cashed US$5,500 in counterfeit traveller’s cheques in
11 banks. The third defendant was in possession of an unspecified
amount of counterfeit money.
A 2-year and
3-month
consecutive
prison terms
(2nd defendant)
DESCRIPTION
SENTENCE
R. v. Paolinelli
2004 CanLII 53858
(A.B.P.C.)
Mr. Paolinelli pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing and making
US$100,000 in counterfeit money. He also pleaded guilty to several
other offences. The police seized computers, scanners, printers, and
various pieces of equipment that had been used to make counterfeit
money. Mr. Paolinelli was 23 years old, held a bachelor’s degree in
business administration, and was the father of two children. His
criminal record included a 90-day prison sentence, handed down in
2004, for uttering counterfeit money.
A 36-month
prison term (30
months plus 6
months for time
served)
*ratio greater than
two for one
R. v. Christophersen
2002 ABPC 173
CanLII
Mr. Christophersen pleaded guilty to several charges: (10-04-2001)
fraudulently making a counterfeit birth certificate, forging an Alberta
Health Care Card, and forging an Alberta driver’s license.
A 44-month
prison term
(18-01-2002) possessing counterfeit money and possessing equipment
for purposes of making counterfeit money.
(20-02-2002) failed to appear in court.
(25-08-2002) possession of a counterfeit mark, possession of a loaded
prohibited firearm, possession of an instrument or other writing
intended to commit forgery, and possession of stolen insurance slips.
6 months
(10-04-2001)
18 months
consecutive
(18-01-2002)
8 months
consecutive
Possession of a
counterfeit mark
12 months
consecutive
Firearm
SASKATCHEWAN
DESCRIPTION
SENTENCE
R. v. Gibson
Provincial Court of
Saskatchewan
December 23 2010
M. Gibson pleaded guilty to the four following counts: obtaining
counterfeit money, being in possession of counterfeit money, uttering
counterfeit money, and conspiring to utter counterfeit money. He also
pleaded guilty to counts relating to firearms and to many counts of theft.
Mr. Gibson uttered $1600 of counterfeit money to purchase a television.
Mr. Gibson also gave counterfeit money to several individuals in
exchange for real money. Mr. Gibson was jointly accused with 4 other
individuals.
A 36-month
prison term
(24 months for
the
counterfeit
offences)
R. v. Hayden
2006 CanLII 59807
(SK P.C.)
Mr. Hayden and three other individuals were apprehended in a stolen
vehicle. Mr. Hayden was found to be in possession of a scanner, a
printer, a CD with images of a $100 bank note (front and back), and
seven counterfeit $100 bills. Mr. Hayden was charged with possession of
a stolen vehicle and possession of counterfeit money. He was 26 years
old and had been found guilty 24 times, including once for possession of
counterfeit money.
A 30-month
prison term
(25 months plus
5 months for
time served)
R. v. Grant
2005 CanLII 24605
(SK P.C.)
Mr. Grant pleaded guilty to the following charges: making counterfeit
money, possessing counterfeit money, possessing equipment designed
for making counterfeit money, and possessing cannabis in an amount not
exceeding 30 grams. Mr. Grant had a long criminal record including
several property offences.
An 18-month
prison term
(30 days for
possession of
cannabis,
concurrent)
R. v. Rafuse
2004 SKCA 161
(CanLII)
Mr. Rafuse was a passenger in an automobile intercepted by the RCMP.
The police found five counterfeit $100 bills in Mr. Rafuse’s wallet. He
also provided a false identification at the time of his arrest.
A 12-month
prison term
(6 months for
possession of
counterfeit
money and 6
months for
identity theft,
served
consecutively)
Mr. Rafuse was 21 years old and had been convicted some 20 times, but
had no related prior offences. He was on probation at the time of his
arrest.
The trial judge sentenced him to 12 months of prison on the charge of
possession and 6 months served consecutively for identity theft, in
addition to the 3½ months for time served. The Court of Appeal reduced
the sentence for possession of counterfeit money to 6 months, but did not
change the sentence for identity theft.
R. v. Lussier
2004 CanLII 52845
(SK P.C.)
Mr. Lussier pleaded guilty to charges of possessing two counterfeit
US$100 bills and two counterfeit traveller’s cheques, and of uttering a
counterfeit $100 bill.
Mr. Lussier was released on bail at the time of his arrest. Since 1993, he
had been found guilty on 35 occasions, primarily of property offences.
A 7½-month
prison term
(6 months plus 6
weeks for time
served)
MANITOBA
DESCRIPTION
SENTENCE
R. v. Vetesnik
2006 CanLII
57315 (MB
P.C.)
Mr. Vetesnik pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing equipment for
purposes of making counterfeit money and to the charge of making
counterfeit $50 and $100 bills. Mr. Vetesnik participated in a very
sophisticated operation that notably included the making and uttering of
approximately $87,000 in counterfeit money.
A 5-year prison
term
(3 years plus 2
years for time
served)
Mr. Vetesnik was 27 years old and had a very long criminal record. His
prior convictions included forgery, credit card theft, and uttering
counterfeit money in 1998. He committed additional criminal activities
until 2001, when he was sentenced to 2 years for possession of a
controlled substance for purposes of trafficking. These recent
convictions were the first since 2001.
ONTARIO
DESCRIPTION
SENTENCE
R. v. Bernard
Ontario Superior
Court
21 04 2010
Mr. Bernard was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the public and of
mischief. Mr. Bernard and his accomplice, Mr. Reid, paid persons,
principally young women, to purchase goods in large stores using
counterfeit money. Subsequently, the goods were returned and converted
into legitimate currency.
A 30-month
prison term
consecutive to the
current sentence
January 15, 2010, the defendants pleaded guilty to an array of offences,
including conspiracy to make counterfeit money, and possession of
equipment for the purpose of making counterfeit money. Mr. Bawania
also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of counterfeit money.
Mr. Bawania
A 12-year prison
term
(9 years plus 36
months for time
served)
Mr. Ejtehad
An 8-year prison
term
(5 years plus 36
months for time
served)
R. v. Bawania and
Ejtehad
2010 Ontario Court
of
Justice
The investigation called OPHIR II showed that the group, which
included the two accused, was involved in many clandestine counterfeit
activities. During sentencing, the judge took into account the following
factors: the police seized 4.2 million of counterfeit Canadian currency,
the two accused were waiting for their sentence in another case called
OPHIR I, the complexity and scope of the illegal operation, and the
professional quality of the counterfeit bills.
R. v. Bawania,
Ejtehad
and Jani
2009 Ontario Court
of
Justice
February 25, 2008, the three accused pleaded guilty to several offences
for participating in an illegal operation of making counterfeit money.
The investigation, which was very complex, lasted 10 months and
involved an undercover cop who bought $125,000 of counterfeit money.
In total, 383,634 counterfeit notes for a value of 6 765,770 were taken
out of circulation.
A 48-month
prison
term
(18 months plus
36
for time served)
6 consecutive
months
for breach of
recognizance
R. v. Mihalkov
2009 ONCA 154
Mr. Mihalkov was a partner in an operation that made $3.1 million of
counterfeit money. After being charged and committed for trial, he
belatedly pleaded guilty to counts of conspiracy to make counterfeit
money, conspiracy to possess counterfeit money, and possession of
credit cards and social insurance cards. Mr. Mihalkov was a young man
with a clean record.
An 18-month
prison term plus
30 months for
time served,
amounting to a
total of 48 months
Mr. Mihalkov was a young man with a clean record. The judge
emphasized denunciation and deterrence in determining the sentence.
R. v. Ijam
2007 ONCA 597
(CanLII)
Mr. Ijam pleaded guilty to the following charges: possessing the
proceeds of crime, possessing equipment designed for committing
forgery, and making counterfeit money. He was in possession of $8,000
in counterfeit money. These were the first offences of a 19-year old
youth. The Court of Appeal commuted a 21-month prison term to a
conditional sentence.
A 21-month
conditional
sentence
R. v. Senthilkumar
2007 CanLII 51516
(ON C.J.)
Mr. Senthilkumar engaged in a large-scale and sophisticated operation to
forge credit and debit cards and identification papers and to make
$1.4 million in counterfeit $50 and $20 bills.
A 38-month
prison term plus
13 months for
time served,
amounting to a
total of 51
months
Mr. Senthilkumar pleaded guilty to numerous counts including
conspiring to defraud the public, possessing cards adapted to commit
forgeries, and two counts of possessing an instrument for the purpose of
making counterfeit money. Mr. Senthilkumar had a fairly long criminal
record, but most of the crimes were committed while he was a young
offender. He had not been convicted since 1999.
R. v. Cripps
[2006] O.J. No.
5697
Ontario Court of
Justice
Mr. Cripps and his accomplices entered various businesses with the
intent of uttering counterfeit $100 bills. They succeeded in uttering nine
counterfeit $100 bills before being arrested. The police seized two
counterfeit bank notes found in the glove compartment of the vehicle,
and two others on the defendant’s person. A total of $865.72 in cash was
recovered at the time of the arrest.
The accused was charged with one count of possessing counterfeit
money and one count of uttering counterfeit money. Mr. Cripps and his
accomplices were involved with uttering counterfeit money, but not with
making it. The recovered amounts were returned to the victims. Mr.
Cripps was 24 years old at the time of the crime. He had a criminal
record. His presentence report was not favourable.
R. v. Todorov
2006 CanLII 59797
(ON S.C.)
Mr. Todorov was party to a large counterfeiting operation. He assisted in
delivering the counterfeit money to market, although he was not directly
involved in its sale. The operation was extensive, sophisticated, and
extremely lucrative. It was conducted from three different locations,
involving a large number of people and many computers and printers.
The counterfeit $20 bills were of high quality and resulted in losses
totalling $3 million. In addition, $250 000 worth of $10 bills were
manufactured.
Mr. Todorov was 20 years old at the time of the offence and 23 at the
time of sentencing. He lived with his parents and worked at his father’s
car dealership.
A 6½-month
prison term
The judge asked
that 7 days’ credit
be given for time
served (without
specifying a
ratio).
A 32-month
prison term plus 1
month for time
served,
amounting to a
total of 33
months
R. v. Caporale
2005 CanLII 19764
(ON C.J.)
Mr. Caporale pleaded guilty to several charges of making counterfeit
money. Over $½ million was found in the apartment in which the
seizure occurred, and over $1.4 million in counterfeit money (in value)
was in circulation as a result of the actions of Mr. Caporale. Mr.
Caporale had a history of similar offences.
A 40-month
prison term plus
26 months for
time served,
amounting to a
total of 66
months
R. v. Kore
[2005] O.J. No
6350
The defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make counterfeit money
and to possession of a machine that he knew had been used to make
counterfeit money.
A 42-month
prison term plus 6
months for time
served,
amounting to a
total of 48
months
The investigation revealed that Mr. Kore and his accomplice, Mr. Aaron
England, headed a vast counterfeit money manufacturing operation.
Mr. Kore was involved in making the counterfeits and supervising
others hired to print them. Two wiretap authorizations allowed police to
monitor over 100 communications between Mr. Kore and Mr. England
in which they discussed in detail the subtleties of producing counterfeit
bills. A police search of the last site used for counterfeiting revealed
large quantities of ink-jet cartridges, a computer, and sheets of potential
counterfeit bills. The operation had the potential to produce $600,000
worth of counterfeit bills per day. On the day of the arrest, police seized
$240,000 in counterfeit bank notes.
R. v. Weber
2001 CanLII
24366 (ON C.J.)
Mr. Weber pleaded guilty to one count of making over $3.5 million in
counterfeit $100 bank notes and two counts of uttering a total of 26
counterfeit $100 bills. An investigation of Mr. Weber’s activities by the
RCMP revealed that he had purchased large quantities of materials for a
sophisticated operation of manufacturing $100 bills. A search warrant
executed on Weber’s residence led to the seizure of $233,900 in
counterfeit $100 bills. A report from the RCMP’s Ottawa lab showed
that a total of 35,787 of the Weber counterfeit $100 bank notes had been
passed in Canada.
A 5-year prison
term plus 2
months for time
served, for a total
of 62 months
Mr. Weber had a criminal record, in particular of similar offences.
Deterrence was the primary penological goal of the sentence.
R. v. Haldane
[2001] O.J. 5161
(Ont. Sup. Ct.)
R. v. Mankoo
[2000] O.J. 1869
(Ont. C.A.)
2000 CanLII 9009
(ON C.A.)
Mr. Haldane was declared guilty of making counterfeit money and
possessing counterfeiting equipment, and 17 counterfeit bills were
seized in his room. Mr. Haldane had a long criminal record.
The appellant pleaded guilty to the following charges: possession of
counterfeit traveller’s cheques, forged identification, and embossing
plates capable of reproducing more counterfeit cheques and papers. He
was a courier for counterfeit money (in an amount exceeding $300,000).
He had a criminal record and was on probation at the time of the
offences. The Court of Appeal ruled that a conditional sentence was not
appropriate in this case and upheld the sentence imposed by the trial
judge.
A 30-month
prison term
A 23½-month
prison term
R. v. Dunn
1998 CanLII 3017
(ON C.A.)
The trial judge imposed a 30-month prison term. The appeals court
commuted this to a 21-month conditional sentence.
A 21 month
conditional
sentence
The appellant and two accomplices rented a photocopier and made
counterfeit U.S. currency. The evidence indicated that Mr. Dunn played
a secondary role and that the quantity of money involved was minimal.
Mr. Dunn was detained for 19 days, and this experience made a
profound impression on him. Since then, he has been working, going to
college, and has married a teacher. He was 22½ years old at the time of
the offence.
R. v. Kiss
1996 CanLII 4703
(ON C.A.)
Messrs. Kiss and Sulug pleaded guilty to the following charges:
conspiracy to make and utter counterfeit U.S. bank notes with a value of
$6.5 million and possession of counterfeit U.S. bank notes with a value
of $3 million. Mr. Kiss also pleaded guilty to possessing equipment for
the purposes of making counterfeit money.
A 7-year prison
term for Mr. Kiss
A 5-year prison
term for Mr.
Sulug
Mr. Sulug pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a loaded semiautomatic handgun for which he did not have a registration certificate.
US$3.5 million in counterfeit notes had been distributed in 20 countries
over a period of three to four years, in addition to the US$3 million in
their possession that was seized. The operation was described as being
more sophisticated than usual and having a fairly extensive distribution
network. The counterfeits were above average in quality.
Mr. Kiss was 54 years old, a first-time offender, and was married with
adult children.
Mr. Sulug was 34 years old, a first-time offender, and single.
R. v. Rachid
[1994] O.J. No.
4228 (Ontario
Provincial
Division)
Mr. Rachid was found guilty of possessing counterfeit money and
uttering counterfeit money. He had 18 counterfeit $20 bills in his
possession at the time of his arrest. Mr. Rachid was 26 years old and did
not have a criminal record.
A 5-month prison
term
23 months of
probation
R. v. Cohen
[1993] O.J. No.
4301
Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty to the charge of uttering a counterfeit US$100
bill.
A $1,000 fine
R. v. Bruno
[1991] O.J. No.
2680
Mr. Bruno was in possession of over $1 million in counterfeit U.S.
currency.
A 30-month
prison term
QUEBEC
DESCRIPTION
SENTENCE
R. v. Martin
2012 Court of
Quebec 1215
(CanLII)
Ms. Martin pled guilty to the following charges: three counts of uttering
counterfeit money and one count of possession counterfeit money. During the seizure at her apartment in 2007, $535, 400 in American
counterfeit money, and $21, 500 in Canadian counterfeit money were
seized. In addition, computer, software, a state of the art printer, inkjet
cartridges, a paper cutter and a dryer were also found in the same
location. 2 years less a day
of imprisonment Probation order 2
years with
surveillance
The Judge considered the following aggravating factors; significant
amount of money seized, the good quality of the counterfeit money and
all the instruments seized indicating the planning of the offences. The
Judge also recognized the legislature’s condemnation of counterfeiting
and the importance of deterrence.
R. v. Ménard
Court of Quebec
28 09 2009
Mr. Ménard pleaded guilty to the following four charges: possessing
equipment used to make counterfeit money, possessing counterfeit
Can$20 bills without legitimate reason, making counterfeit money, and
uttering counterfeit bank notes. Mr. Ménard had a criminal record. His
sentence was mitigated in light of his guilty plea.
A 4-year prison
term
R. v. Jeyarajah and
Thangavelu
Court of Quebec
20 09 2007
The defendants pleaded guilty to charges of uttering counterfeit money
and possessing forged social insurance cards and passports. Mr.
Thangavelu was also charged with possession of equipment for making
counterfeit bank notes.
One sentence of 2
years minus 1 day
(Jeyarajah) and
one of 15 months
(Thangavelu)
On six different occasions during the investigation, Mr. Jeyarajah gave
an undercover officer counterfeit bank notes for an amount totalling
$240,000. Mr. Thangavelu accompanied him on two of these occasions,
and his participation made possible the distribution of $95,000.
The accused had no prior criminal records. As part of an organization,
they were deemed by the Court to be distributors, and not mere couriers.
R. v. Blanchette
1998 CanLII 12941
(QC C.A.)
Ms. Blanchette appealed the 3-year sentence imposed by the trial judge.
A 3-year prison
term
The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence, underlining the importance of
deterrent and denunciatory goals.
The Court also reiterated the seriousness of the offence by underlining
precedents.
R. v. Desrochers
[1998] A.Q. No.
934
Court of Quebec
Mr. Desrochers pleaded guilty to making and possessing counterfeit
money. The police found a photocopier as well as $998,080 in
counterfeit Canadian currency printed on one side. The defendant had a
criminal record and a problem with cocaine.
A 3-year prison
term
R. v. Nantel
Superior Court
01 10 1997
A jury found Mr. Nantel guilty on three counts: conspiring to utter
US$100,000 in counterfeit bank notes, possessing counterfeit bank
notes, and offering to utter them.
A 3-year prison
term
The defendant had procured counterfeit U.S. bank notes amounting to
$1.8 million and had reached an agreement with a buyer, an undercover
agent, to receive Can$180,000 for them.
The defendant, who did not play a leading role in the counterfeiting
network, had a police record for robbery, fraud, and possession of stolen
goods. In sentencing, the judge considered his age (52 years) and his
illness (depression) as mitigating factors, while emphasizing the
importance of the general principle of deterrence.
R. v. Germain
1995 CanLII 5412
[1995] A.Q. No.
254
Quebec Court of
Appeal
The Court of Appeal commuted a $15,000 fine levied by the trial judge
to $3,000 in light of the fact that the defendant’s income barely
exceeded minimum wage. Counsel from both sides agreed that a $3,000
fine was a fair penalty given the facts of the case. The crime was
uttering counterfeit money.
A $3,000 fine
R. v. Sonsalla
(1971) 15 C.R.N.S.
99
Quebec Court of
Appeal
Mr. Sonsalla was found guilty of possessing counterfeit money and
instruments designed for making counterfeit money. Mr. Sonsalla had
$24,100 in $20 bills as well as film and other items used with printers to
manufacture counterfeit money. The trial judge imposed a 1-year prison
sentence.
A 4-year prison
term
The Court of Appeal overturned that sentence and imposed a 4-year
prison sentence.
R. c. Lacoste
[1965] C.A. 224
(C.A.Q.)
In this case an individual was charged with possessing 6,400 $100 bills.
The defendant had no previous record and was sentenced to 3 months in
prison by the trial judge. The Court of Appeal intervened and increased
the sentence to 3 years in prison.
A 3-year prison
term
NEW
BRUNSWICK
DESCRIPTION
SENTENCE
R. v. Al Saidi
2006 NBPC 22
(CanLII)
Mr. Al Saidi and his accomplices uttered US$2,100 and were found in
possession of two bundles of money: one bundle of 51 counterfeit U.S.
bank notes and another bundle of 50 counterfeit U.S. bank notes. The
total value of the counterfeit money (uttered and in their possession) was
$12,200.
An 8-month
prison term plus
12.5 months for
time served,
amounting to a
total of 20.5
months
A consecutive 1
month prison
term for breach of
undertaking
R. v. Dickson
1999 CanLII 3949
(NB Q.B.)
Mr. Dickson pleaded guilty to two counts of having made counterfeit
money and two counts of possessing counterfeit money. He also pleaded
guilty to seven counts of engaging in unauthorized use of credit card
information and one count of knowingly possessing a credit card
obtained through criminal activity. Finally, he pleaded guilty to having
defrauded Mr. Bernard Mullin ($6,000).
An 18 month
conditional
sentence
The judge sentenced him to a 6-month prison term for the offences
related to counterfeit money. In essence, Mr. Dickson twice attempted to
use two counterfeit $5 bills. At the time of his arrest, he was in
possession of two counterfeit $5 bills. Mr. Dickson had made the
counterfeit bank notes using a computer and a printer.
The judge imposed 12 consecutive months for the credit card offences.
NOVA SCOTIA
R. v. Nasser
2005 CanLII 63852
(NS P.C.)
DESCRIPTION
Mr. Nasser pleaded guilty to possessing and uttering counterfeit money.
Mr. Nasser had two accomplices. They were found in possession of
$15,890 in counterfeit money and had circulated $428.31 in counterfeit
notes. Mr. Nasser was 20 years old, has turned his life around, and now
works for Bell.
SENTENCE
A 2 year less one
day conditional
sentence
N.B. Unless otherwise indicated, time served corresponds to a coefficient of twice the actual length of
incarceration.