In the midst of legal turmoil and facing more than 20 fraud charges, it appears as though EcoLife Home Improvements owner David Murray is still intent on doing business in Greater Sudbury.
The city's hearing committee is scheduled to hear Murray's appeal to having his business license revoked back in April, when the hearing committee meets on Aug. 14 at Tom Davies Square.
Murray has been embroiled in legal battles for the better part of the past four months, frequently appearing in small claims court, as well as criminal court where he is facing more than 20 counts of fraud, in addition to charges of theft and trafficking of stolen property.
Upon having his business license revoked on April 12, Murray was quick to counter, arranging an appeal in front of the city's hearing committee that was to take place June 5.
That plan came to a screeching halt, as Murray was slapped with 20 counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of fraud under $5,000 on June 4. Murray wasn't ready to call it quits on his appeal however, and backburnered his business license fight as he had more pressing matters on his plate.
Murray's appeal hearing was rescheduled for Aug. 14, one week after his most recent court appearance on the fraud and theft charges that is scheduled for today (Aug. 7).
So how exactly does the appeal process work?
Hearing committee meetings are open to members of the public and anyone wishing to speak on Murray's behalf, or against him is allowed to do so, as long as they inform the committee of their intentions before the hearing gets underway.
A city staff member will read the report detailing the nature of Murray's license being revoked, and the hearing committee is then given the opportunity to ask questions to the staff member in order to get the full scope of the situation.
Murray will then be given the opportunity to present his side of the argument, followed by comments from the public who wish to speak for or against Murray.
The city's acting manager of bylaw enforcement, Melissa Laalo, said to the best of her knowledge, this could very well be the end of the line for Murray as far as his fight to operate a business in the city of Greater Sudbury.
While there is no limit to the number of times that an appelant can ask for an extension, there is no requirement for the hearing committee to approve an extension request.
Additionally, if Murray's appeal is rejected, it's case closed and he can not appeal the matter again. Not showing up to the hearing is not a way out or a loophole into an extension either, according to Laalo.
"We've had applicants not show for the hearing committee or send representatives and it goes on as if they were there," said Laalo. "We would provide people the opportunity to speak that may have been impacted by this business owner. Basically the hearing committee is there to look over city staff's decision and either uphold or rescind it."
If the city were to uphold the decision and not reinstate Murray's business license, it comes as a major hurdle to any of his potential plans to start another business in the city.
"(A business license being revoked) is attached to his name and any business he would be affiliated with as well," said Laalo. "It involves affiliations so we can look at things like address, relationship, if someone else affiliated with him applies for a business license in the future."
