Nine members of the Figliomeni family, a notorious crime syndicate operating in Canada, were recently arrested by the York Regional Police. Investigators suspect the family was using their associated companies to launder money, though the exact amount is still unknown. According to experts, casinos may have been used in the laundering process, which is surprising given the level of regulation in the gambling sector.
Ontario casinos are required to have police officers on-site, making them a less ideal location for money laundering compared to other provinces, like British Columbia, where regulations are less strict. However, Detective Sergeant Carl Mattinen from the Special Operations Bureau stated that information collected by Ontario casinos was helpful in the Figliomeni investigation. In particular, large cash transactions at casinos were easier to track than other illegal activities like violence.
The Figliomeni family allegedly laundered over $70 million through Ontario casinos over the course of five years. They were a frequent presence at the casinos and did not use straw men or women, but instead recruited a central group to collect a small portion of their winnings, claiming the rest as legitimate. This gaming strategy, accompanied by large cash transactions, may have triggered reports to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FinTRAC).
However, Mr. McGuire, an expert in financial crime and counter-money laundering, noted that the casinos were just one weak link in the Figliomeni operation. The family also established other ventures, such as a fund company and a charity, which are not required to report suspicious transactions. The fact that the Figliomeni family allegedly set up a charity suggests a rather professional money-laundering scheme, according to Mr. McGuire.
One of the accused, Salvatore Oliveti, is a fundraiser and patron of SickKids Hospital. He is also the co-founder of Option B Solutions, an auto-loan firm that reportedly received a high quantity of cash deposits. The authorities seized $35 million worth of assets, including 11 gambling establishments operating out of cafes and restaurants, 23 luxury cars, and 27 residences. The police are also scrutinizing construction and property companies associated with the Figliomeni family.
The Italian authorities have arrested 12 suspects as part of Project Sindacato, which targets the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta Mafia. The official in charge of the investigation stated that confiscation and seizure of property is crucial in dismantling criminal organizations. This latest operation against the Figliomeni family is a significant step towards disrupting organized crime in Canada.
