Sentencing has been delayed for a roofing company owner who has admitted scamming clients out of thousands of dollars.
Road Runner Roofing Inc. owner Robert John Kushniruk, 37, was expected to be sentenced on Tuesday morning. Kushniruk pleaded guilty to four charges under the Fair Trades Act in February after a plea agreement was worked out between the Crown prosecutor and his defence lawyer.
Kushniruk and his company were to be sentenced on two counts each of engaging in a business without a licence and deceiving clients.
At one time, Kushniruk and Road Runner were each facing 37 charges.
The charges were laid in February 2008 following an investigation by the Red Deer branch of the Department of Government Services.
Kushniruk was ordered to repay $66,300 to former clients. He was to have shown he repaid some of the money by Tuesday’s court date.
Defence lawyer Michael Scrase told provincial court Judge Bert Skinner that discussions were continuing with the Crown and he asked for sentencing to be put over until Monday.
Scrase said Kushniruk is working outside the city and there are still some issues with restitution.
“There has been a lack of follow through at this point,” he said. “I’m hopeful there’s going to be something to show come Monday.”
Kushniruk’s roofing business “went into the toilet” following newspaper stories about his charges, he said. The former roofer has since retrained and has a new job, which was not specified in court.
Another charge was laid after a previously unknown alleged victim came forward after the previous guilty pleas, he said. Court documents show Kushniruk and Road Runner have been charged with an additional two counts each of engaging in business without a licence and failing to refund money.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com