Skip to Main content

8.51°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Nov 6, 2020 4:21 PM -

Former RCMP officer testifies, gaming minister knew about organized crime at casinos

Share On

former-rcmp-officer-testifies-gaming-minister-knew-about-organized-crime-at-casinos

Commissioner Austin Cullen listens to introductions before opening statements at the Cullen Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia, in Vancouver, on February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A former RCMP officer testified that a British Columbia cabinet minister told him in 2009 that the gaming minister knew about organized crime at casinos but was more focused on the revenue generated by gambling.

Fred Pinnock who was formerly in charge of the now-defunct illegal gambling enforcement team, made the comments yesterday at the provincial inquiry into money laundering.

Pinnock says he met with then solicitor general Kash Heed, who told him his concerns were legitimate but that gaming minister Rich Coleman was ``all about the money.''

The inquiry also heard that the arrests of several people tied to organized crime and illegal gambling in 2017 led to dramatic reductions in revenue at casinos, but only for two to three weeks.

Latest news

woman-dies-after-vehicle-crashes-near-golden-ears-bridge-rcmp-investigating

Woman dies after vehicle crashes near Golden Ears Bridge, RCMP investigating

Ridge Meadows RCMP are examining the circumstances surrounding a fatal single–vehicle crash that occurred near the Golden Ears Bridge on Saturday evening. Officers were called to the south end of the bridge at about 8:30 p.m. after reports that a northbound vehicle had gone out of control. Police say a witness saw the vehicle veer off course and strike a light pole. The woman driving the vehicle was the only person inside. Despite immediate efforts by the witness and first responders, she died at the scene. Investigators believe speed may have played a role in the collision. Officers are ask

Whitecaps prepare for first MLS conference final against Inter Miami

The Vancouver Whitecaps are in Florida as the club gets ready for a historic appearance in the Major League Soccer conference final. The matchup against Inter Miami marks the first time Vancouver has advanced this far in the league’s post-season structure. The Whitecaps face one of the highest profile opponents in MLS, with global star Lionel Messi leading Miami’s attack. Vancouver players say the spotlight does not change their focus. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter told reporters he believes the team has the confidence and structure needed to compete for a place in the league championship

B.C. adds jobs in November as province faces pressure from U.S. tariffs, new labour data shows

British Columbia recorded a modest increase in employment last month as new federal labour data pointed to steady economic conditions despite ongoing uncertainty in sectors such as forestry. The provincial government highlighted the gains on Friday after Statistics Canada released its Labour Force Survey for November. According to the survey, B.C. added 6,200 jobs in November and has gained more than 40,000 positions over the past year, led by manufacturing and construction. The province’s unemployment rate edged down to 6.4 percent, slightly below the national rate of 6.5 percent. Statistic

CanadaDec 05, 2025

Carney meets Trump and Sheinbaum in rare joint appearance at FIFA World Cup final draw

Prime Minister Mark Carney joined U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum today at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington for the final draw of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the first time the three leaders have appeared together since tensions rose over Trump’s recent trade actions. Carney entered a private viewing box reserved for the Canadian delegation shortly before the draw began. The box was located beside the American section, allowing for a brief exchange between the prime minister and President Trump. Earlier in the afternoon, Carney held a short me

teen-charged-in-connection-with-overdose-deaths-on-tsuutina-nation

AlbertaDec 05, 2025

Teen charged in connection with overdose deaths on Tsuut’ina Nation

Calgary police say a 17-year-old has been charged following two fatal overdoses on the neighbouring Tsuut’ina Nation earlier this summer, an incident that has renewed concerns about youth involvement in the province’s illicit drug trade. Investigators allege the teen had been selling cocaine, including during school lunch hours. Officers executed a search warrant at a Calgary residence as part of the investigation. Police say they seized several items, including cellphones, cash, digital scales, bear spray and quantities of cocaine and methamphetamines. Authorities note that Alberta contin

Related News

Woman dies after vehicle crashes near Golden Ears Bridge, RCMP investigating

Woman dies after vehicle crashes near Golden Ears Bridge, RCMP investigating

Ridge Meadows RCMP are examining the circumstances surrounding a fatal single–vehicle crash that occurred near the Golden Ears Bridge on Saturday evening. Officers were called to the south end of the bridge at about 8:30 p.m. after reports that a northbound vehicle had gone out of control. Police say a witness saw the vehicle veer off course and strike a light pole. The woman driving the vehicle was the only person inside. Despite immediate efforts by the witness and first responders, she died at the scene. Investigators believe speed may have played a role in the collision. Officers are ask

Whitecaps prepare for first MLS conference final against Inter Miami

Whitecaps prepare for first MLS conference final against Inter Miami

The Vancouver Whitecaps are in Florida as the club gets ready for a historic appearance in the Major League Soccer conference final. The matchup against Inter Miami marks the first time Vancouver has advanced this far in the league’s post-season structure. The Whitecaps face one of the highest profile opponents in MLS, with global star Lionel Messi leading Miami’s attack. Vancouver players say the spotlight does not change their focus. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter told reporters he believes the team has the confidence and structure needed to compete for a place in the league championship

B.C. adds jobs in November as province faces pressure from U.S. tariffs, new labour data shows

B.C. adds jobs in November as province faces pressure from U.S. tariffs, new labour data shows

British Columbia recorded a modest increase in employment last month as new federal labour data pointed to steady economic conditions despite ongoing uncertainty in sectors such as forestry. The provincial government highlighted the gains on Friday after Statistics Canada released its Labour Force Survey for November. According to the survey, B.C. added 6,200 jobs in November and has gained more than 40,000 positions over the past year, led by manufacturing and construction. The province’s unemployment rate edged down to 6.4 percent, slightly below the national rate of 6.5 percent. Statistic

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital