Earl Jones Fraud Victim Shares Testimony 20 Years Later

Nearly 20 years after being defrauded by notorious scammer Earl Jones, a Quebec resident reflects on her intense experience. Danielle Manouvrier, who was at the forefront of the survivors’ group, recounts her story as the spokesperson during the crisis. She highlights the fraud that cost victims over $50 million.

Earl Jones Fraud Victim Shares Testimony 20 Years Later

At the age of 68, Manouvrier remembers her relationship with Earl Jones fondly, referring to herself as his “gardener.” She built a trusting relationship with him over the years, becoming convinced to invest in a federal mining program. This investment was initiated after a conversation about depositing a $20,000 Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) that had lost value.

“My mother had known him for 35 years,” Manouvrier explains. “He even managed my grandmother’s estate.” After researching the supposed federal program, she believed her investment was secure with promised tax credits. However, her trust was misplaced, as Jones deposited her funds into his personal account instead of a trust account.

The Downfall of Earl Jones

Suddenly, Jones stopped responding to her calls regarding both her landscaping services and investment. The crisis escalated in 2008 during a stock market crash when countless investors demanded their money back. “Everyone wanted their money back, but Earl couldn’t reimburse anyone—this is when his pyramid scheme collapsed,” she shares.

Manouvrier recalls the day in 2009 when she learned that an arrest warrant had been issued for Jones. “I saw the news on TVA. I jumped into my truck and went to bang on his door.” Unlike many victims, she managed to recover her full investment through an amicable settlement with Trans America Life.

Advocating for Other Victims

Despite resolving her own case, Manouvrier felt compelled to assist other victims who suddenly found themselves financially devastated. Many lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, leaving some unable to afford necessary medications. “Some people no longer had money for their prescriptions,” she adds.

She joined a group that pressured the federal government to enact Bill C-59 in 2011. This legislation ensures that non-violent offenders who commit their first crime cannot be released after serving only one-sixth of their sentence. Earl Jones received a sentence of 11 years for his fraud but was released after just three and a half years.

Moving Beyond the Scam

Since her experience, Manouvrier has refrained from trusting any financial advisors. Instead, she invested her funds into renovating her home in Arundel, located near Mont-Tremblant. She advises the younger generation to conduct thorough research before investing with financial counselors, especially given the increasing prevalence of fraud. “I focus on real estate. If you invest wisely, property values can remain stable,” she urges.

Life After Earl Jones

Currently, Manouvrier serves as the general manager of a landscaping company named Maxhorti, driven by a passion for horticulture rather than past financial debts. “I thought last year would be my final season. However, Maxime [Dutreil] courted me with a new challenge after 20 years,” she explains.

While her chapter with Earl Jones has ended, the memory of fighting for victim rights remains vivid. Earl Jones, now in his 80s, has remained inconspicuous since his release from prison in 2014. Reports of his death were circulated in 2017, yet no confirmed death notice has surfaced since. Jones, who defrauded over 150 victims through a Ponzi scheme from 1982 to 2009, appears to have chosen a life away from the public eye.

Statistics on Earl Jones Fraud