A number of former clients of self-proclaimed financier Earl Jones gathered to watch as a bailiff seized Jones' Dorval condo and changed the locks Friday afternoon.
The investors, some of whom lost their life savings, wanted to make sure Jones had indeed vacated the property.
Some carried signs that read: "Earl Jones, financial predator, leave our community!"
Montreal police were on standby to ensure the crowd remained under control.
The condo and three other Jones properties, worth a total of $1.6 million, will be sold to repay creditors.
"This is really a victory. This is a day for the victims to come out and show support, and to show that justice is going to be served, and that Mr. Jones is no longer welcome in this neighbourhood, "said Joey Davis, whose 78-year-old mother was one of Jones' alleged victims.
Many people who passed by the lakefront condo as Jones' former clients stood outside expressed empathy towards the alleged victims.
"I really feel for those people, because it's their retirement money. It's the money that they've put away all these years. They trusted this person and what happens? He stole from them," said passerby Anne-Marie Whitehouse.
Jones faces criminal charges after clients, including his own brother, lost a total of nearly $75 million. It appears the investments of some 150 people dating back to 1985 were spent and never invested as promised -- a scam that's often referred to as a Ponzi scheme.
Jones had sent a letter, through his lawyer, to the bankruptcy trustee asking if he could stay in his Dorval condo until the end of the month. His former clients summarily refused the request at a meeting earlier this week.
"Some people have had to give up their homes," said Marlene Pink, who invested with Jones.
She added it was "terrible" to imagine Jones continuing to live in his home.
"It's very important to witness this symbolic event of taking the keys away from Earl Jones in a place that he doesn't deserve to live," said Kevin Curran, whose 77-year-old mother lost about $300,000.
"There's no reason that someone should stay here when there are other people...who are struggling with their mortgages."
Assets
Though Jones' four homes are worth $1.6 million in municipal valuations, they're mortgaged to the tune of about $1 million and clients can only claim the $600,000 difference.
There's also a bank account in the Bahamas with about $500,000.
Turning point?
The Jones case has sparked a number of developments on the white-collar-crime front this summer.
His former clients have formed a national lobby organization to help victims, and they have met with all four federal party leaders including Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Shortly before he met with them last month in Quebec City, the prime minister promised to table legislation that would toughen sentences for white-collar crime.
