James Robert Dwyer appeared in provincial court in St. John’s Wednesday via video link from the West Coast Correctional Centre in Stephenville.
Defence lawyer Michelle Elliott entered the pleas on Dwyer’s behalf.
She and Crown prosecutor Mike Murray agreed to schedule Dwyer’s trial for Dec. 1-4.
It was good news for Murray, who, last time the case was in court, expressed his displeasure with the progress of the case. He noted it had been ongoing for close to a year with no pleas and accused Dwyer of purposely delaying the case.
“Mr. Dwyer is using the system to frustrate the ends of justice,” Murray said at that time.
Dwyer faces 40 charges of fraud and fraud-related charges related to incidents in which he reportedly took money from customers for jobs he said he would do, but didn’t.
The 54-year-old is already serving a jail sentence for numerous charges, including fraud, failing to attend court, breaching probation orders, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
On Dec. 3, 2014, he was given a 20-month sentence, but with pre-trial custody, had 11 months left on his term. He’s expected to be released by the summer.
He has a lengthy criminal record. Prior to his last sentencing, he had 61 convictions for fraud; 32 restitution orders, totalling $23,950; 11 counts of failing to appear in court, six impaired driving, nine counts of driving while prohibited. In 2010, he got a four-year jail sentence for six counts of driving while prohibited.
Twitter: @TelyCourt