Bankruptcy lawyer says cleaners and customers will have trouble getting money from Surrey-based cleaning company Scrubbi
Nakul Saggar is an international student from India who lives with seven roommates. In order to pay the bills while going to school, he picked up a job with Surrey-based cleaning company Scrubbi.
The 19-year-old says he started in May, but noticed his payments not coming through starting in September. He says he's owed around $2,000.
"It means a lot to me," said Saggar. "I have to pay my tuition, I have to pay my rent, I have to pay my car insurance. It means a lot."
Saggar says the company has ignored his inquiries about pay, yet he still receives message reminders from the company for scheduled cleanings.
On Wednesday, CTV News heard from a Scrubbi head office employee who said he was notified by CEO Daniel Deckert that operations have been shut down.
CTV News went to Scrubbi headquarters in Surrey Thursday and it appeared no one was in the office. However, the Scrubbi website remains operational.
Saggar is one of dozens of cleaning contractors who have come forward claiming to be owed thousands of dollars by the company. Scrubbi originally told its contractors the delayed payments were due to an issue with the bank.
Scrubbi customers have also come forward claiming to be out thousands of dollars after paying upfront for a full year's worth of service.
"Because they've prepaid, they've requested a cancellation or refund and have had some difficulty with it," said Simone Lis of the Better Business Bureau, which gave Scrubbi an F rating.
"The company has had 34 complaints in our 3-year reporting period.”
Bankruptcy lawyer Geoffrey Dabbs confirmed to CTV News that the company, as of Thursday evening, has not filed for bankruptcy. However, in these situations, he says it's usually only a matter of time.
"Under federal law, either the company can do it or a creditor can force them into bankruptcy," said Dabbs, partner with Gehlen, Dabbs and Cash LLP.
"I think this will likely happen here given the size of the company and given the fact that there needs to be a methodical way of dealing with it."
Dabbs says the contracted cleaners and customers will have a hard time seeing any compensation, as the company has to first deal with taxes and the bank.
“The one wrinkle for people who are unsecured creditors – and that would include a contractor or customers – is they’re on the bottom of the priority list,” Dabbs said.
CTV News tried reaching out to Scrubbi CEO Daniel Deckert and has emailed the comapany several times over the past two weeks, but has not received a response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have burned in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Australian field hockey player opts to amputate part of his finger in order to compete in Paris Olympics
In the run up to the Paris Olympics, athletes have been stepping up their preparations in order to maintain their edge over competitors. But for Australia’s Matt Dawson, those preparations looked a little different this year, with the field hockey player opting to have part of his finger amputated in order to compete in the Games.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.