Létourneau, Vaudry Sentenced in Grandparent Scam
Two Montreal-area men who admitted their roles in a “grandparent scam” targeting elderly Americans have been sentenced to prison.
Quebec Superior Court Justice Éliane Perreault handed down sentences Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse, accepting a joint recommendation from prosecutors and defence lawyers. Paul Létourneau, 29, of St-Léonard, received a two-year prison term followed by one year of probation. Carson Sean Vaudry, 30, of Beaconsfield, was sentenced to 20 months in prison and three years of probation.
Both men pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy and two counts of fraud.
Millions Requested, Thousands Lost
The fraud network operated between October 2020 and March 2021. Callers posed as grandchildren in urgent need of bail money after being arrested — often claiming they were in a vehicle stopped by police who allegedly discovered cannabis.
Victims were asked for an initial payment of US$9,000 and were sometimes directed to speak with individuals posing as police officers, lawyers, or judges to make the scheme appear legitimate.
Prosecutors said the group requested more than $1.2 million from elderly victims across the United States and successfully defrauded 20 people of US$316,400. One victim alone lost more than US$70,600.
Disturbing Court Details
Before imposing the sentences, Justice Perreault highlighted a troubling phone call involving Létourneau. During the scam, one elderly victim panicked and struggled to breathe. Rather than urging medical attention, Létourneau pleaded with the victim not to seek help out of fear the fraud would be uncovered. When the victim became incoherent, he hung up and continued calling other seniors.
Both men apologized in court.
“I know that everything I did was horrible,” Létourneau said, adding that he regrets his actions and has since turned his life around. He told the court he now has a daughter and fears the day she may learn about his crimes. He described battling alcoholism and being in a “dark place” at the time of the offences.
Vaudry also expressed remorse, acknowledging the harm caused to victims and his own family. His lawyer, Laurence Juillet, told the court Vaudry had struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction but has since undergone therapy and maintained steady employment.
Receipts presented in court showed efforts toward restitution. Vaudry surrendered more than $11,000, while Létourneau returned $5,000 plus an additional $2,000 seized at his home upon arrest. The funds will be returned to victims.
Broader Investigation
Earlier this year, David Anthony Di Rienzo, 32, identified as the leader of the scheme, was sentenced to 42 months in prison.
Prosecutor Erik Cookson-Montin said the only remaining case in the Sûreté du Québec’s investigation, known as “Partenariat,” involves Joshua Sarroino, 31, of Montreal.
Sarroino previously agreed not to contest the Crown’s evidence in the fraud case. He is also awaiting developments in a separate legal matter related to a 2019 fatal shooting in Brossard. Although acquitted by a jury, the Quebec Court of Appeal ordered a new trial. The Supreme Court of Canada is expected to decide soon whether it will hear an appeal of that ruling.
