The co-founder of Sutton Quebec was accused of ordering a series of arson attacks on his rivals. At the Laurentians since 2017, he was able to be released pending trial in exchange for $200,000 high bail.
Christophe José Folla, 70, a prominent figure in Quebec real estate, attended his acquittal hearing in a Saint-Jerome court from Monday.
He was accused last Thursday of conspiring with individuals and ordering arson attacks on buildings owned by Royal LePage, a rival agency in the real estate brokerage world.
The businessman was arrested yesterday by the Sûreté du Québec. He has since been arrested.
The alleged events occurred between September 2017 and January 2024.
A court order prevents us from disclosing the details of the evidence disclosed at the bail hearing stage.
Same thing with Judge Gilles Garneau's reasons for decision.
So the accused can live at home rather than in jail while awaiting his trial. He has to respect several conditions, including enforcing night curfew. He had to surrender his passports and could not leave the province.
An amount of $200,000 must also be deposited as security. If he violates one of his conditions, he will lose this money.
Please note: Deposits of such a large amount are rare.
His wife and another woman he is very close to must agree to pay a total of $200,000 if the conditions are not met.
Since then, he is no longer a director, and Sutton is no longer associated with Quebec.
On Monday, Folla's co-defendant, Alain Marc Nahmias, was released but must wear an electronic ankle bracelet.
More details to come…
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