2023-09-20 23:30:00
James William Awad, known for organizing a
controversial party on a Sunwing flightand his business partner Sarah Anton were found guilty of operating a gym in Montreal without holding the necessary authorizations.
• Read also: A year later, James Awad would not party once more on a Sunwing flight
• Read also: The party on the plane and in Mexico costs them their jobs
“The Office accused them of having carried out health studio activities at Astrofit Gym RDP between December 2021 and March 2022, without holding the permit required by law,” the Consumer Protection Office announced this week ( OPC).
Sarah Anton, president of the sports club at the time, was fined $3,000 in this case.
Sarah Anton, TripleOne employee and president of Astrofit Gym RDP. TripleOne / Instagram
James William Awad, owner of Astrofit Gym RDP located on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard East, will have to pay $6,000 for this offense.
James William Awad during a press briefing. Montreal, January 27, 2022. PIERRE-PAUL POULIN/LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL/AGENCE QMI. Pierre-Paul Poulin / JdeM
Awad “not aware”
Mr. Awad confirmed Wednesday to Journal that he was “unaware” of having been found guilty by the OPC.
“To be honest with you, I’m not in the healthcare business. I’m in technology and music,” defended the man at the head of the TripleOne company. He assures that his gym now has the necessary permit for its operation.
James William Awad is also known by his stage name “Senior”. Martin Alarie / JdeM
Sarah Anton was rather stingy with comments regarding the fine she will have to pay.
“We have received our health studio permit and have issued the necessary bond with the OPC,” assures Ms. Anton, without specifying whether she still works with Awad.
Not their first controversy
In January 2022, The newspaper also revealed that Astrofit Gym Laval had remained open, despite the health rules at the time which prohibited it.
On site, our team spotted Sarah Anton training with another person during a surprise visit, while all the training rooms in Quebec had their doors closed due to the pandemic.
Let us also remember that James William Awad returned to the news in March 2023. His pizzeria in Bois-des-Filion, on the North Shore of Montreal, was the target of an arson.
The Crusy Crust pizzeria owned by James William Awad, located on Boulevard Adolphe-Chapleau in Bois-des-Filion, was the target of an arson fire, shortly following midnight, on Tuesday March 14, 2023. Pascal Girard / QMI Agency
“All that matters to me is that no surrounding businesses were damaged and that no one was injured. For the rest, we’ll get over it,” the businessman mentioned via text message.
Why is this permit mandatory for gyms?
▶ “The merchant who operates a health studio must hold a permit issued by the Office and provide a bond of $20,000 for each of his establishments. This bond serves to guarantee compliance with the law and can be used to compensate consumers in the event of closure of the business,” explains the OPC.
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