The Hamilton Spectator , Tuesday , March 22, 2005
Alleged Fraud Dashes  "I do" For 12 Couples

By John Burman

Burlington * A former manager of the Burlington Convention Centre has been charged with fraud and theft after a dozen couples discovered the banquet hall had no records or cash deposits to confirm their reception plans.

The convention centre is scrambling to do what it can to save all of their wedding plans. Jack Moriera, owner of the centre, said some couples deposited as much as $10,000 and the loss could run between $100,000 and $300,000.  "We don't have the full picture yet," said Moriera, adding the former manager had been with the centre for several years. Police have charged Fellsburto Soares, 43, of Ancaster, with fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000.  Soares is to appear in Burlington court April 20 to set a date for trial.

Halton police said yesterday they know of 12 contracts entered into with the former manager since December 31, 2004, to lease the convention centre's hall that apparently were not processed and the centre did not received the deposits.  The money has not been recovered.

The alleged fraud was discovered when some of the couples went to the convention centre to finalize their plans. "We think there may be more people we don't know about who gave deposits and we are urging anyone who booked a reception through to the end of the year (2005) to contact the centre", Detective Sergeant Joe Barker said yesterday.  Some of the weddings were booked for 2006.

The centre is doing what it can to accommodate couples whose reception plans are in jeopardy.  "We are trying to do anything we can to help our customers on a case-by-case basis" Moriera said.  "We're the victims in this too."  Barker said police are encouraging anyone who had a contract with the centre to confirm their contract with Moriera at 905-526-2469
jburman@thespec.com    905-526-2469

Hamilton Spectator , Saturday, March 26, 2005
Weddings Get Green Light
Convention Center Will Honor Contracts With 18 Duped Couples      By Jackie de Almeida 

Eighteen couples who booked their receptions at the Burlington Convention Centre will get the weddings other dreams, but with a few changes. Guests at one wedding will dine on New York Steak instead of filet mignon, and all but the top of one cake will be fake at another.  But at least all the weddings will go ahead as scheduled despite a former banquet hall manager being charged with fraud and theft earlier this week.

"Were doing all their weddings as planned", said Jack Moriera, owner of the centre.
"The convention Centre will stand by our customers. They're not going to have less of a wedding, just not as flashy.  Were all victims of this."

Police charged Fellsberto M. Soares, 43, of Lancaster, with fraud over $5,000 , and theft over $5,000.  He will appear in Burlington court April 20 to set a date for trial. The alleged fraud came to light after a dozen couples complained to police that they had paid thousands in deposits for their weddings only to realize the convention center had no records of their plans and the money was gone.

Police said the couples had all entered into contracts with the Soares to lease banquet halls.  Most of the weddings were scheduled for this year, but some where booked for 2006.

Police allege the contracts were not processed and the centre did not received any of the deposits.  The money has not been recovered. Distraught couples contacted the convention centre after Moriera appeared on TV earlier this week, asking anyone who has booked to come forward. Most couples - who had made only small deposits - will get the wedding they booked but others willingly made adjustments in order to salvage their plans.

One couple had already paid $19,000 towards their April wedding but still owed  $2500.  Moriera said the reception will go ahead as planned , at a loss to the convention center. He said he and his partners stand to lose anywhere between $100,000-$300,000, but it's worth it if it helps restore the centre's reputation.  The centre hosts about 80 weddings a year.  None of the couples affected have cancelled their plans, he added.

"We don't have one single wedding that won't be realized.  I'm doing this because I have to" Moriera said.  "From the moment we heard of the (alleged) fraud, we knew we had to make these people happy...  We did the best we could and worked with everybody."

Anyone who has a contract with the convention centre is asked to confirm their plans with Moriera at 905-319-0319.  jdealmeida@thespec.com  905-526-3214