URBAN-REALTY.ca

Real Estate Council of Alberta 

Derek Johnson in Police Custody

For immediate release
June 30, 2016

Calgary, Alberta –

Derek Johnson, sanctioned to jail time for unlicensed real estate and mortgage brokering activity, is in police custody. Kevin Kumar, who was also sanctioned to jail time for the same activities, remains at large and a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest.

“We’re hopeful Mr. Johnson’s arrest sends a strong message to other individuals who engage in unlicensed real estate and mortgage brokering activity that RECA will protect consumers.” says Natalie Scollard, communications manager at the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). “Since 2013, RECA has taken enforcement action to stop Derek Johnson, Kevin Kumar, and their associates from preying on financially vulnerable Albertans.  When it comes to unlicensed activity, RECA will use all legal means to stop it.”

On June 7, 2016, Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Sheilah Martin sanctioned Derek Johnson and Kevin Kumar, to two months in jail for civil contempt of court for breaching an injunction to stop trading in real estate and dealing in mortgages without a licence.

RECA has issued five administrative penalties against Derek Johnson for unlicensed activity in the past, with fines totaling more than $100,000. RECA has also issued an Administrative Penalty of $25,000 for unlicensed activity to Kevin Kumar. These penalties remain unpaid. To read more about the Derek Johnson matter, please click here.

“With the recent issuing of the Canada-wide warrant for Kevin Kumar, RECA is confident he, too, will be brought to justice,” says Scollard.

If someone offers to represent you in a real estate transaction or assist you with securing mortgage financing, ensure that individual is licensed by RECA. Consumers can search for a licensed industry professional through RECA’s website at www.reca.ca.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, property management, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA’s mandate is to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.