Court of Appeal for Ontario
Before: Laskin, Cronk and Blair JJ.A.
Between:
Her Majesty the Queen Respondent
and
Stephanos Economopoulos Appellant
Counsel: Robert C. Sheppard, for the appellant Jennifer Mannen, for the respondent
Heard: November 4, 2011
On appeal from the sentence imposed on November 30, 2009 by Justice Eleanor M. Schnall of the Ontario Court of Justice.
APPEAL BOOK ENDORSEMENT
1Although neither counsel asked for a fine, the appellant acknowledges that the imposition of a fine was within the trial judge’s discretion. His sole submission is that the amount of the fine - $8,000 – is excessive. He contends that the trial judge erred by not making sufficient inquiry into his ability to pay.
2We agree with that submission, although we also agree that the trial judge was correct to impose a fine that reflected the seriousness of what the appellant did.
3In the light of the financial information on the record, we think that a fit sentence is a $6,000 fine. The appellant shall have one year to pay, and consistent with the trial judge’s reasons, may if necessary, apply for further time to pay.
4Leave to appeal sentence is granted, and the fine is reduced to $6,000.