Canada's anti-spam law is being used against a former chief executive who is accused of using several businesses operating under names such as Teambuy and Dealfind to bombard consumers with emailed discount coupon offers.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is seeking $100,000 from Brian Conley for allegedly allowing or ignoring violations of the law while he was president and chief executive officer of nCrowd Inc.

The CRTC says Conley is the first individual to be held liable for violations committed by a corporation. It says nCrowd and several other companies led by him and his associates have ceased activity.

The commission's staff started an investigation in April 2015 following complaints against nCrowd and the related Couch Commerce group of companies.

The federal regulator alleges that the two groups failed to get consent to send the emails, contrary to a Canadian law that was designed to protect consumers from unwanted electronic commercial communications — also known as spam.

Conley has the right to appeal the CRTC's decision. He couldn't immediately be reached for comment.