The wife and daughters of Earl Jones released a statement to the media Sunday afternoon expressing their devastation over the multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme allegedly carried out by the West Island financial advisor.
Maxine, Kristine and Kimberly Jones say they are just as outraged and disillusioned as Jones's clients:
"We are devastated by what has happened to all who put their trust in Earl Jones as a financial advisor but also as a friend, neighbour and community leader. We want to express our profound regret for the pain and suffering that he has caused and state our own sense of deception.
Over the past days since becoming aware of the situation we too have experienced a wide range of emotions, from anger to despair and disillusionment.
The Earl Jones we knew was a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather, and a respected member of the community. The Earl Jones who has been revealed in recent days is a man we can scarcely believe exists.
Earl's daughter and her husband are also financially exposed and now fear that they will never recover their funds. The family was in the dark about his business activities but will of course cooperate fully with the authorities. We are anxious for Earl to come forward and provide an explanation.
Once again, we wish to express our heartfelt regret to those who have been hurt by Earl Jones. At the same time we hope that you will recognize the sense of shock, grief, shame and outrage that we are experiencing, and we plead that our family's privacy be respected in this very difficult situation."
Victims of alleged fraud still reeling
The statement from Jones's family members offer little comfort to those who were allegedly swindled.
Siblings Ted and Nancy Pappin entrusted all their assets to Jones, and were stunned when he vanished.
"He had control over everything," said Ted Pappin.
Several of Nancy Pappin's bills have not been paid, including her phone bill. Last week, Pappin, who suffers from cerebral palsy, had her phone line cut off. The phone was also connected to a Lifeline, a special device that easily allows her to call for help in case of emergency.
"If I need anybody, I just have to push a button and it rings at the hospital," she said.
Pappin said she still finds it hard to believe that Jones allegedly carried out such a massive scheme.
"I just don't know who to trust anymore...it's so low. How can anybody do that to anyone?"
Family friend Ron Epps, who has been helping the Pappin siblings navigate through the financial mess, said the amount of work to do is overwhelming.
"The bills come in, I just found out the taxes aren't paid on the house. It's just one thing after another and it's hard," Epps said.
