The Premier says an answer is coming soon on the question of whether or not to hold a public inquiry into allegations of massive money laundering in B.C.
John Horgan says before he can decide one way or another he needs to see the final report in the second phase of the Peter German money laundering inquiry.
“He is joined by Maureen Maloney a former deputy Attorney General. So we have got two very prominent people people already eyes and ears on this file. I would like to get their reports, which I think is coming in March, before we decide what to do with respect to a public inquiry. But I know the public is building towards this but I also know that the public would prefer that ten or twenty or thirty million dollars not go to lawyers and no progress on this file.”
Horgan says if there is any way to bring down consequences on money laundering, expose those responsible, and shut it down in a cost effective way with out years of time and millions of dollars then the public might prefer that route.
As he mulls whether or not to hold a public inquiry into money laundering the Premier was disturbed to see new allegations of leaks with the government of the day.
Global BC’s Sam Cooper citing records he obtained reported police in 2015 were growing concerned provincial government officials were leaking information compromising police raids on underground casinos.
John Horgan says this is concerning.
“We certainly have new leadership on the board at BCLC. We are expecting reports back from the new board members and the new chair on how to proceed with the lottery corporation. At the same time these are troubling allegations and particularly when they come from law enforcement. These are the reasons why the public has every right to be concerned about this and I am too.”
Lawyer and former RCMP executive Peter German is the middle of a phase two money laundering inquiry focusing on housing, horse racing, and luxury cars.
Former B.C. deputy attorney general Maureen Maloney is chairing an expert panel also investigating money laundering.
