An out-of-work career counsellor has been given 90 days to refund $2,849.40 to a former client.

John Gardner entered a guilty plea in Hamilton court on July 21 on behalf of his former corporation, 6316352 Canada Inc., an Oakville-based firm which carried on business using the name Cornerstone.

Gardner has until Oct. 20 to repay William Harse of Stoney Creek.

The Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services laid charges against Gardner and two firms he operated, following Action Line's reports on Harse's complaint.

"The ministry agreed to allow him three months and set the next court date for October," Harse told Action Line. "They also said he could pay it back in smaller amounts rather than all at once, as long as he pays by Oct. 20. The payment must be made by certified cheque to the ministry. Then it will be forwarded to me. It sounds promising."

A ministry investigator confirmed Gardner had entered the guilty plea.

The former operator of the Oakville career counselling firm and the silent partner behind a recruiting agency, Gardner was charged with violating Ontario's Consumer Protection Act.

The charges pertained to his failure to refund money Harse originally paid to him in 2006, and to false and misleading representation.

Similar charges were laid against 6316352 Canada Inc. (Cornerstone) and 6316361 Canada Inc., (which carried on business as the RJK Group of Companies). Both firms operated from 700 Dorval Dr. in Oakville.

The charges were posted on the ministry's Consumer Beware List, consumerbeware.mgs.gov.on.ca.

As Action Line reported Feb. 7, Harse paid $2,849.40 to Gardner in November 2006.

If Harse secured a job thanks to Gardner's efforts, he was supposed to pay an additional $2,440.

If he failed to secure a job within a year, his money was to be refunded.

Harse claims he never received a job interview, let alone a job offer.

When he asked for the return of his money a year later, Harse was told Cornerstone was out of business and Gardner was now running a recruiting firm (RJK Group of Companies).

Gardner portrayed himself as RJK's general manager, but a partner in the firm told Action Line he was the primary investor in that company.

The recruiting firm collected commission from employers once workers were hired.

The RJK Group was evicted from its offices by its landlord early this year, leaving employees unpaid.

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