2023-11-28 06:00:00
Escorts galore, parties worthy of the film The wolf of Wall Streetmassive hard drug consumption, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and private jet, the owner of one of the largest gyproc companies in the Montreal region finds himself struggling with financial problems due to a princely lifestyle and self-destructive, according to allegations in a lawsuit.
Two former business partners and their companies filed a lawsuit this summer at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse against Hugo Bernard, the boss of Gestion Groupe Bernard, and his companies, and are demanding more than $1.3 million from them.
Hugo Bernard’s lifestyle, which until recently would have represented an expense of $50,000 per month, would be to blame for his inability to repay debts.
Hugo Bernard poses in front of a Rolls-Royce. Photo taken from Instagram, Hugo Bernard
The latter would have multiplied the pretexts for not respecting its obligations over time. One of the creditors said he received a threatening phone call when he tried to collect his debt.
“Bernard is grappling with a real problem of consumption of hard drugs of all kinds which, from occasional, has now become systemic and daily,” maintains Francis Duchesne, one of the creditors, in the procedure.
Hugo Bernard in Costa Rica in 2022. screenshot Instagram, Hugo Bernard
“This consumption is supported, again daily, by escort services all day long, sometimes for sexual relations, sometimes to accompany Bernard in his activities, including card games,” he continues.
One of Hugo Bernard’s companies is among the largest in the installation of gyproc in the Montreal region. She is notably involved in several important real estate projects in the Montreal region, including Solar in Brossard on the South Shore.
Public funds
According to the procedure, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) also holds a mortgage on the head office of Groupe Bernard, which is subject to seizure before judgment in this case.
Bernard’s company is a partner of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ in a major project in downtown Montreal, the Maestria, according to the company’s website.
Luxurious cars displayed by Hugo Bernard on his Instagram account. Photo taken from Instagram, Hugo Bernard
Another creditor, Jean-Sébastien Servant, says for his part that since he has known Bernard, he has had to carry out work on Bernard’s personal residence on more than one occasion following parties taking place there.
“The aftermath of these “parties” left traces that were not very innocuous, such as the planting of a sword in a wall, doors being broken down with punches, etc.,” he emphasizes.
In September, a judge authorized a pre-judgment seizure of assets belonging to Bernard, without however yet ruling on the merits of the case. The two creditors and companies were able to register the seizure in particular on a residence of Hugo Bernard in Boisbriand valued at $2.6 million.
This Boisbriand house of Hugo Bernard is subject to seizure before judgment by creditors. Photo The Journal
Francis Duchesne also points out that Bernard has put another residence up for sale for $3.3 million in Rosemère.
This house in Rosemère belonging to Hugo Bernard has been put up for sale. Photo credit: Jean-François Cloutier, Le Journal de Montréal Photo Jean-François Cloutier
Impressed
“Bernard’s assets and his ultra-wealthy or luxurious lifestyle portend success and success,” says Servant.
He said he lent him money, while Bernard made him believe in investments in two real estate projects on the North Shore which would not have come to fruition.
These loans would cost him $15,000 in monthly interest, and would have caused his family considerable stress.
These allegations have not yet been proven in court.
He denies having financial problems
The big boss of Gestion Groupe Bernard, Hugo Bernard, denies that his partners’ debts are in danger and assures that he has taken control of himself.
“I never intended not to pay my debts and never the companies of which I am a director […]had no intention of doing so,” he said in a sworn statement.
It also calls into question the validity of certain claims alleged by the prosecution.
Photo taken from Instagram, Hugo Bernard
A request to vacate the prejudgment seizure was filed in September.
According to the businessman, there is a lot of equity in properties owned by him personally and by his companies.
Consumption
The latter adds that “several elements contained [dans la poursuite] are false or have never been brought to its attention”, particularly in connection with escorts. He does not deny certain consumer problems, but he says they have been resolved.
“I stopped all consumption several months ago and I took control of myself as such,” he says.
Hugo Bernard further maintains that his partners themselves benefited from his largesse and participated in his parties, and “that they both consumed in an equally excessive manner”.
He also denies ever having been in bad faith or having made threats.
“The allegations of Servant and Duchesne regarding my private and personal life in no way prove that their debt is in danger, in addition to the fact that it is owed by one or other of the companies of which I am shareholder”.
According to him, it appears clear that such allegations were made with the aim of damaging his reputation and to color a judicial case.
Excerpts from the lawsuit
“Bemard’s consumption is simply disproportionate and staggering, it is reminiscent of a Hollywood film script.”
“Its consumption is done in full view of everyone, in front of its friends and acquaintances, as well as in front of its employees and in front of the heads of its companies at all times.”
“Bernard’s rentals or ownership of luxury automobiles including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and others for an average monthly budget of $50,000 before he recently sold them, or even his private jet trips.”
“The escorts who accompany him at all hours of the day and assist him during his card games represent a daily expense that can reach the crazy sum of $5,000.”
Photo taken from Instagram, Hugo Bernard
“Bernard, between his excessive use of hard drugs, the constant use of escorts, driving several luxury cars simultaneously, namely: a Ferrari 2021 812 GTS, Porsche 911 Turbo S coupe, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan 2022, a Rolls -Royce Ghost 2022, during the period he was supposed to pay me back, liked to compare himself to the main character of the film The wolf of Wall Street by Martin Scorsese, which says a lot about his reference model.”
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