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by Mike Caswell

Louis Petrossi, one of those charged for touting Richard St. Julien's Forcefield Energy Inc., has filed a motion in which he is seeking a separate trial from his co-defendants and the "inflammatory" material that would be presented at such a trial. He claims that there is no evidence of him lying to investors or any evidence that investors relied on anything he said. He also says that he knew nothing about a group of brokers who were allegedly receiving kickbacks to place investors into Forcefield.

Prosecutors claim that Mr. Petrossi, 75, helped raise money for Forcefield Energy in 2015 as the stock went to a $7.84 high. (All figures are in U.S. dollars.) He attended investment conferences along with Forcefield's Canadian chairman, Mr. St. Julien, and held himself out as an independent investment professional, the government says. In doing so, he failed to disclose 10-per-cent commissions that he received for raising money, according to prosecutors.

Mr. Petrossi, who previously pleaded not guilty, is now seeking to distance himself from the others charged in the case. In a motion filed on Monday, Sept. 12, he says that it would be unfair to try him alongside his co-defendants. The case against them will include unrelated evidence of stock manipulation as well as substantial cash payments.

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