Dirty Money is a formerly confidential report commissioned by the Government of British Columbia into the state of money laundering in the province. It was released to the public in two parts in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
| Dirty Money | |
|---|---|
| Created | March 31, 2018 |
| Location | Canada |
| Commissioned by | Government of British Columbia |
| Author(s) | Peter German |
| Subject | Money Laundering |
| Purpose | Investigation Into Money Laundering In Canada |
Dirty Money I
editThe first Dirty Money report (officially: Dirty Money: An Independent Review of Money Laundering in Lower Mainland Casinos conducted for the Attorney General of British Columbia) was released in 2018. The report specifically focused on money laundering in the province’s casinos, and alleges the funds were often the proceeds of illicit fentanyl sales. [1]
The report provides evidence showing officials were warned about the problem as early as 2011, but failed to take action. At least $100 million in funds were unwittingly washed through major casinos in the province. In the year immediately after the report, casinos adopted more strict protocols and observed a 30% decline in gambling revenues. This potentially implies the number is significantly higher.[2]
The report was one of the first to reveal what anti-money laundering experts coined the “Vancouver Model.” The method involves combining opioid sales, loan sharking, and money laundering through casinos and housing.[3]
Dirty Money II
editIn 2019, Dirty Money II (officially: Dirty Money – Part 2: Turning the Tide – An Independent Review of Money Laundering in B.C. Real Estate, Luxury Vehicle Sales & Horse Racing) was released. The second part focused on how the funds ended up in everyday consumer goods, such as real estate and luxury vehicles.[4]
The report estimates the annual amount of money laundering in the province to be $7 billion.[5] It also reveals real estate and luxury vehicle purchases are frequently used to launder money in the province.[6]
History
editIn 2017, then BC Attorney General David Eby hired former RCMP deputy commissioner Peter German to conduct an independent investigation into money laundering rumors. This follows reports of rapidly rising home prices and increased brazenness of organized crime in Vancouver.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Peter German is on a mission". www.cpacanada.ca. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ^ Opinion, Tracy Sherlock |; June 27th 2018, Politics | (2018-06-27). "B.C. became a laundromat for dirty money. Eby vows to slam door shut after scathing report". Canada's National Observer. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Inside the German report, 14 mind-blowing highlights". theBreaker. 2018-06-28. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ^ "Condos, pianos and Lambos: Five takeaways from B.C.'s dirty money reports | The Star". www.thestar.com. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ^ "Over $7 billion laundered in B.C. last year: report - CityNews Vancouver". Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ^ "Over $7 billion laundered in B.C. last year: report - CityNews Vancouver". Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ^ "Ian Mulgrew: Peter German defends independence, integrity at money laundering inquiry". vancouversun. Retrieved 2022-01-20.