Fires at competitors: insurance claims $4.5 million from the former president of Sutton Quebec

The multimillionaire and co-founder of Sutton Quebec, who is accused of having ordered arson attacks against his competitors, is not at the end of his sentences: he is also being sued for more than $4.5 million by two insurance companies .

Christophe José Folla, a prominent figure in real estate brokerage in Quebec, was arrested and then accused last January of having ordered several arson attacks against competitors since 2017.

On several occasions, Royal LePage Humania buildings in the Laurentians were targeted, as well as a building housing a RE/MAX brokerage banner. Over the years, the cost of claims has amounted to several million dollars.

To claim their dues, the two insurance companies which compensated the burned brokerage companies turned to the man they consider responsible: Christophe José Folla.

Two lawsuits were filed against him by the companies Royal & Sun Alliance of Canada and Promutuel Assurance Deux-Montagnes, who are claiming a total of more than $4.5 million in damages.

Harm the competition

We learn in particular that François Léger, now deceased, and Christian Bouvrette left the Sutton agency in 2017 to found Humania.

“By orchestrating and sponsoring the fires […]Folla pursued Sutton's interest in harming his direct competitors. In doing so, Sutton is jointly and severally liable for the damage caused to the policyholders during these three fires,” one of the lawsuits reads.

The document reveals that the Humania building in Saint-Sauveur fell prey to flames for the first time on December 6, 2017. The damage from the incident amounted to more than $43,000.

The building was declared a total loss after a second fire about a year later. The costs this time amounted to $1.5 million.

The Royal LePage building located in Sainte-Thérèse was then destroyed by the flames. Fires that “were all started intentionally and [qui] are criminal in nature,” we argue in the lawsuit.

In February 2021, offices of the RE/MAX banner, located approximately 350 meters from Humania in Saint-Sauveur, were completely destroyed by another fire, causing damage of more than $2 million.

In prison

Christophe José Folla, who faces several criminal charges, is currently detained for further legal proceedings. The 70-year-old man had nevertheless enjoyed two months of freedom last winter, having notably suffered discomfort during his visits to court. He was released under strict conditions thanks to a $400,000 bond.

But the Crown appealed this decision. Then, last March, Judge Hélène Di Salvo, of the Superior Court of Quebec, canceled the release order. Christophe José Folla therefore returned behind bars.

In a final hope of obtaining his freedom, the accused filed a request for review, in vain.

Civil proceedings are suspended until a final judgment is rendered in the criminal case. Since his arrest, Folla is no longer an administrator and no longer has any connection with Sutton Quebec.