Charges against matchmakers may soon be settled

The latest court battle involving Entre-Nous, the same-sex matchmaking company sued last year by a former client, may be heading toward a resolution.

At a Provincial Offences Court hearing in Scarborough on Apr 20 crown attorney Jane Hooey, representing the province’s Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services, asked justice of the peace Patrick Marum to put the case off until a later date. Marum set the next hearing for Jul 20.

“It looks like [the case against Entre-Nous] will be resolved,” Hooey told the court. Outside the courtroom, Hooey refused to comment on the status of the case or its potential resolution.

The current case involves charges filed by the province in November of last year against both Entre-Nous and one of its employees, Patricia Salib. Citing Ontario’s 2002 Consumer Protection Act, the ministry laid the charges as a result of two consumer complaints. The company is charged with two counts of failing to deliver on a valid contract, two counts of failing to deliver a refund within 15 days and two counts of false, misleading and unfair practices. Salib was charged with the same six counts.

Although Patricia Salib is named in the ministry’s charges, it is Carolyn Salib who has acted as the face of the company in court and in public since Entre-Nous’ legal troubles began.

No one from or representing Entre-Nous attended the Apr 20 hearing.

In June of last year Terry Wong of Toronto was awarded a refund representing half of the almost $7,000 he paid to Entre-Nous for its matchmaking services. In 2006 Wong sued the company in small claims court, alleging Entre-Nous misrepresented itself and did not live up to its contractual obligations.

At least two other former clients have also sued Entre-Nous as well. One of those cases was settled out of court.

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