TICO conviction, charges

Franca Perruzza has been convicted on six counts of operating as a travel agent without registration contrary to the Ontario Travel Industry Act. Perruzza was president of 2062204 Ontario Inc. o/a Beltour, which was previously registered under the Act and terminated its registration on Sept. 30, 2009. The company and Perruzza continued to operate after its registration was terminated. Perruzza was sentenced to 90 days in jail to be served intermittently on weekends. She is also subject to a two-year probation order which includes informing the Registrar, Travel Industry Act, 2002 of any employment in the travel industry at least five days before employment commences, informing any potential employer of the conviction under the Act and attend counselling as suggested by the probation officer. Perruzza is also subject to a free standing restitution order to repay victims $168,832.23. In other news, Alistair Hamilton and Greater Hamilton Tours Inc. have been charged with two counts each of operating as a travel agent without registration contrary to the Ontario Travel Industry Act. Alistair Hamilton and Greater Hamilton Tours Inc. operated in Hamilton and elsewhere in Ontario. The first court appearance is scheduled for March 30 in Hamilton. (http://www.tico.ca)