Five people fined $55K for illegal moose hunt in northern Ontario
A 32-month investigation into illegal moose hunting near Temiskaming, Ont., has ended in convictions for five people and $44,000 in fines and $11,000 in victim surcharges.
A news release from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on Monday said the case was a joint effort with Environment Canada and Quebec’s Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks.
Court heard that in October 2018, Joseph Arko of Georgetown obtained a big game licence using another individual’s outdoors card.
Arko reported killing a bull moose in the Temiskaming area near the Quebec border that, in reality, had been harvested by Gary Giles of Orleans. Giles also possessed part of the harvested bull moose.
Arko pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting big game using a fraudulent licence and making a false statement to a conservation officer. He received $27,000 in fines and a seven-year hunting licence suspension.
Giles and Glenn Scanlan of Kirkland Lake both pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting big game and making a false statement to a conservation officer.
Giles received a $9,000 fine and a one-year hunting licence suspension. Scanlan received a $2,500 fine and a one-year moose hunting licence suspension.
Kenneth Beuglet of Belle River pleaded guilty to unlawfully transporting wildlife and unlawfully hunting big game. He received $3,000 in fines and a one-year hunting licence suspension.
Gerardo Fiacco of Downsview pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing wildlife. He received a $2,500 fine and an 18-month hunting license suspension.
"Scanlan, Fiacco and Beuglet were found to have participated in the unlawful hunt and were also in possession of portions of the bull moose that had been killed," the MNRF said in the release.
"There was also $11,000 in victim surcharge fines levied against the five convicted individuals."
All five individuals’ guilty pleas were heard by various Justices of the Peace over an 11-month period in the Ontario Court of Justice in Temiskaming Shores.
"Conservation officers remind everyone that by respecting seasons, sanctuaries, bag and possession limits, we all help ensure our natural resources stay healthy," the release said.
To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667.
You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.