An Ontario court is seeking the arrest of a Quebec man at the centre of the legal battle over a $9.8-million digital heist from FACTOR, the taxpayer-funded non-profit that feeds the Canadian music industry.

In the case’s most dramatic development since the money disappeared from FACTOR’s Bank of Nova Scotia account in June, 2024, Justice William Black of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s Commercial List has found James Campagna in contempt of court and sentenced him to 30 days incarceration.

“I find that Mr. Campagna is a liar, a fraud, and a scofflaw, deliberately and knowingly breaching this court’s orders,” Justice Black wrote in his decision late Monday. He added: “It is highly likely that he was a knowing and active participant in the fraud, and that he has benefitted and continues to benefit from the proceeds of that fraud.”

Court documents show that Campagna is the sole shareholder of a numbered company that does business as Vipera. In June, 2024, transcripts and screenshots show, he directed a transaction in accordance with what appeared to be a counterfeit invoice from FACTOR to purchase bitcoin-mining machines, leading to the $9.8-million transfer into Vipera’s Scotiabank account.