4.61°C Vancouver

Apr 30, 2021 3:24 PM -

Former B.C. cabinet minister denies saying government knew about casino crime

Share On
former-b-c-minister-kash-heed-next-up-to-testify-at-money-laundering-public-inquiry
Commissioner Austin Cullen listens to introductions before opening statements at the Cullen Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia, in Vancouver, on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A former cabinet minister denies telling a gaming investigator that members of the B.C. Liberal government knew about illegal activities at casinos and were doing little to prevent the crimes.

Kash Heed told a public inquiry into money laundering that he recalls a lunch in Victoria in 2009 with former gaming investigator Fred Pinnock, but his recollection of the meeting differs from Pinnock's.

Pinnock testified last fall that he met with Heed in November 2009 shortly after he was appointed solicitor general to raise concerns about large amounts of suspicious cash that were likely linked to organized crime at B.C. casinos.

Pinnock, a former RCMP officer who once led its now-disbanded integrated illegal gaming enforcement team, said he was shocked when Heed told him the gaming minister at the time, Rich Coleman, was more concerned about making money for the government than fighting casino crime.

Heed, who is also a former chief of the West Vancouver Police Department, said today he didn't make such a comment. Coleman testified earlier this week that he never put gaming profits ahead of fighting crime at casinos.

Latest news

surrey-police-issue-five-excessive-speeding-tickets-in-one-morning-most-in-construction-zones
CanadaJan 08, 2026

Surrey police issue five excessive speeding tickets in one morning, most in construction zones

Surrey Police Service officers issued five excessive speeding tickets during a single morning of enforcement this week, with the majority occurring in active construction zones, according to police. Road Safety Unit officers conducted targeted enforcement on January 7, focusing on areas where road work was underway. Police say four of the five tickets were issued in construction zones, including one case where a driver was allegedly travelling at 102 kilometres per hour in a posted 30 kilometre per hour zone. Police say speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes, and constru
atmospheric-river-expected-to-bring-heavy-rain-snow-and-strong-winds-to-b-c-s-north-coast
BCJan 08, 2026

Atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain, snow and strong winds to B.C.’s north coast

An incoming atmospheric river is expected to bring significant rain, snow and high winds to British Columbia’s north coast, prompting multiple weather warnings from Environment Canada. Forecasters say coastal communities including Prince Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat could receive up to 100 millimetres of rain beginning late Thursday and continuing into Saturday morning. The rainfall raises concerns about localized flooding, particularly in low-lying and drainage-prone areas. Inland travel routes are also expected to be affected. Environment Canada warns that sections of major highways could s
rcmp-investigate-early-morning-shooting-in-langley-township
BCJan 08, 2026

RCMP investigate early-morning shooting in Langley Township

Mounties are investigating a report of shots fired in Langley Township early Thursday, though police say there are no reports of injuries and no ongoing risk to the public. Langley RCMP say officers were called to the area of 232 Street near 69 Avenue shortly after 5 a.m. following multiple reports of gunfire. Police secured the area while investigators worked to gather evidence and speak with potential witnesses. Authorities have not confirmed whether the shooting was targeted, nor whether it may be connected to a recent series of extortion-related incidents reported across parts of Metro Van
IndiaJan 08, 2026

Bomb threats prompt evacuation of court complexes across multiple Indian states

Security agencies were put on high alert Thursday after bomb threats were issued to at least 10 court complexes across several Indian states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Authorities evacuated the affected court premises as a precaution while police teams launched extensive searches. In Punjab, district courts in Ferozepur, Moga and Rupnagar received threat messages, according to police sources. Similar threats were also reported at the Himachal Pradesh High Court, triggering concern among court staff, lawyers and litigants. No injuries o
BCJan 08, 2026

West Shore RCMP recover more than $140,000 in stolen property across Vancouver Island

West Shore RCMP say a focused investigation by their Crime Reduction Unit has led to the recovery of more than $140,000 worth of stolen property linked to multiple communities across Vancouver Island. Police say the investigation began in November 2025 while officers were searching for a 42-year-old man wanted on several outstanding warrants. Officers located and arrested the suspect without incident, recovering a stolen Chevrolet pickup truck and flat deck trailer loaded with construction-related items, including scaffolding, equipment and a 35-ton SpeeCo wood splitter. As the investigation c

Related News