Lloydminster business owner frustrated naturopathic 'con man' hasn't repaid loans

A business owner in Lloydminster, Sask. says he is frustrated that a convicted naturopathic fraudster, to whom he lent money, continues to scam other families and businesses. 

In July 2013, Bill Chomicki stopped by Tanson Salt Therapy, an alternative healthcare business owned by Jason Ankney and his wife.

Chomicki allegedly told the Ankneys he was planning to build a European health centre in Lloydminster and he proposed a partnership with them.

"We just thought what a great fit - if he's willing to help us," said Ankey. "He did take advantage of that." 

The Ankneys said Chomicki asked to borrow $1,500 dollars, which he said would enable him to have funds from Senegal released into his bank account. That money would be used to fund his new health care facility. 

They said Chomicki promised to pay them back in three days, but more than two years later they're still waiting.

"To somebody who's starting out, that was a huge amount of money. That was our advertising… that was part of our rent," said Ankney. 

When they called him back the following week, "He said well, there's been a glitch. There's been a glitch. A bit of a hiccup - I need $300 more," said Ankney.

So, they paid the money, hoping it meant they'd see the rest of it sooner than later, but that never happened.

Ankney confronts Chomicki

In May of this year, they called Chomicki and demanded repayment while sitting in their car on Chomicki's driveway. The Ankney's recorded that call. 

In response to their demand Chomicki said, "Go home and be at peace, okay? It'll be paid by next week. Before the end of next week you'll have the money and that'll be the end of story." But the money never did arrive. 

The Ankneys filed a complaint with the RCMP who told them it is a civil matter that should be resolved in court. 

According to the their lawyers, a civil suit would likely not succeed, so they never pursued it.

The Ankney's said they're very frustrated that they are the victims of an apparent fraud, yet the justice system won't help. 

"It's embarrassing for the authorities," Ankney said. "The justice system has totally failed everyone on here."

Business owners follow Chomicki's court cases

Chomicki spent a month in jail in 2014 for fraud after he took money from a dying woman in exchange for cancer treatment which was never delivered. He was also put on probation for two years and told not to solicit funds door to door. 

After his release, Chomicki was accused of breaching his probation when he allegedly returned to soliciting money for his cancer treatment centre.

Lloydminster business man Tim Yewchyn had loaned Chomicki $4,500 dollars prior to his conviction. But he was once again approached by Chomicki when the 80-year-old man was released from jail. 

"I have 20 emails from Bill Chomicki asking me for more money," Yewchyn said. 

He went to police, which prompted the breach of probation charge.

But on Oct. 6, the crown dropped the charge, because the terms of probation forbade door to door solicitation, not solicitation by email.

The Ankney's have been attending Chomicki's court appearances, hoping some form of justice would prevail, even if it wasn't in relation to their specific situation.

The Ankney's feel defeated, citing the decision to drop the charge as another example of how the justice system is failing Chomicki's alleged victims.

Chomicki is also appealing his fraud conviction. 

He refused to do an interview for this story, but he told CBC's iTeam he would "disclose everything that you want to know in total and in detail," after his appeal has made its way through the courts.