There may be a countersuit over expenses related to Amherstburg's Mardi Gras Festival last year.
The lawyer that represents organizer Ian France and his entertainment company, Vincenzo Piruzza says his client has been served personally with a Statement of Claim from the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce, but not Ian France Entertainment and Events. So, he's filing a Statement of Defense on France's behalf personally, and it could include a claim for defamation.
"We believe, as I believe any party would believe, that these are just mere allegations. They have to be proven before the court and consequences follow for parties that are not successful."
The chamber alleges France overcharged it for services during the event. It's lawyer; Luigi DePierdomencio says during the planning phase, the two sides agreed to split the cost of services, like security, from revenues raised at Mardi Gras.
Afterward, France's company and the chamber did an informal accounting of costs, during which France presented the chamber with statements. The chamber paid its share of the expenses, and the profits were split evenly.
DePierdomencio says the conflict arose soon after when a member of the chamber spoke with an administrator with the security company.
"The chamber said 'You were the guys, and we paid your bill -- and it was somewhere in the order of about -- $11,000,,'" says DePierdomenicio. "And the fella said to the chamber 'Our costs was less than 50% of that.'"
DePierdomencio says the Statement of Claim alleges other costs were overstated too. He says the claim asks the court to reimburse those costs, conduct an audit to see if more expenses were overcharged, and reimburse it.
The $25,000 suit also asks for damages.
The Mardi Gras Festival is expected to return this year. It's scheduled for July 22 and 23.