Quebec financial planner Earl Jones is still in Canada but is keeping a low profile after threats were made against him, his lawyer says.
Jeffrey Boro told The Canadian Press in a phone interview that his client is trying to protect himself from harm, and avoid negative publicity.
Quebec's securities regulator alleges between $30 million and $50 million dollars is missing from accounts run by Jones, and that Jones was not qualified for the job.
Boro said Jones has received threatening messages on his answering machine, and plans to stay out of the spotlight until he has met with police and clients.
Jones is alleged to have misappropriated funds from an estimated 50 alleged victims.
Montreal authorities revealed earlier this month that they were looking for Jones, after his accounts were frozen by Quebec's securities regulator. The move came after his clients reported they had not received interest cheques on their investments.
His namesake firm, Earl Jones Consultant and Administration Corp., has since been shut down by Quebec investigators.
Jones, however, has not been charged with any crime and none of the allegations against him have been proven in court. There is also no warrant for his arrest at present.
He has not been seen in the two weeks since the allegations about his business were made public. His name has been removed from the registry at his condo, and his mail has reportedly been piling up.
Some of his former clients have reportedly had to turn to food banks to feed themselves.
Boro spoke with CTV Montreal on Tuesday and said he talked to his client as recently as Monday.
"We discussed the progress in the case and what is happening," Boro said.
The next step is for Boro to meet with the investigators to determine where the case is going to go.
"The police know that Mr. Jones is available if they want to meet with him, they can contact him through me," Boro said. "I have access to my client and when the police are ready to speak with him, he will be ready to meet with them."
Boro said Jones did leave the country "for a brief time" to visit the U.S., but police were informed about the trip.
He said Jones is having a difficult time dealing with his circumstances.
"He's a very troubled person and if I was to pick up the paper tomorrow and see that he had taken his life, it would not be a surprise. I'd be sad, but I can tell you that he is having a difficult time," Boro said.
