View cases - Stewart McKelvey

- 8 -[20] The mortgage brokerage business did eventually improve such that Mr. Coppolaearned net income of $46,113.37 in 2004 and $72,806.57 in 2005. Thereafter his annualincome from the mortgage brokerage business and other ventures continued to increaseexponentially and in amounts that far exceed what he was earning as Finance Manager forCapital Pontiac in 2002.2011 SKQB 318 (CanLII)[21] Mr. Drayton testified on behalf of Mr. Coppola at the trial. He described the encounterwith Tri Stewart, the then current Finance Manager at Capital Pontiac, in early October of2002 who informed him that he should be careful in his dealings with Mr. Coppola becauseMr. Coppola’s termination as an employee of Capital Pontiac resulted from the theft ormisappropriation of a vehicle. Mr. Drayton stated that he could not remember the exactwords used by Tri Stewart, but this was the impression that he was left with.[22] The information Mr. Drayton received from Mr. Stewart concerned him greatlybecause it reflected on the character and reputation of someone with whom he wascontemplating going into business. He said that Mr. Coppola was surprised when he raisedthe issue with him. He and Mr. Coppola discussed the matter at a number of subsequentmeetings. He was eventually satisfied with the explanation given to him by Mr. Coppolaabout how such a misunderstanding may have arisen in relation to Ms. Mazil’s vehicle.[23] After more due diligence, Mr. Drayton decided to continue with the mortgagebrokerage venture, starting with incorporation of Quick Response Mortgage Services onDecember 4, 2002, and thereafter with application for a mortgage brokerage licence whichwas issued on March 20, 2002. He also confirmed that the allegation made by Mr. Stewart