After a lengthy investigation of the circumstances of the scandal,[12] Michael Sona, the former director of communications for the Conservative candidate in the Guelph (Ontario) riding[13] was charged on June 2, 2014[14] with "wilfully preventing or endeavouring to prevent an elector from voting".[15][16] Sona was found guilty on November 14, 2014 [17] and was sentenced to nine months in jail plus twelve months of probation.[18] Sona was released from jail on bail after serving twelve days, pending his appeal of the sentence.