VANCOUVER — A former RCMP officer described by his lawyer as a whistleblower for investigating organized crime in casinos is scheduled to testify today at an inquiry into money laundering in British Columbia.
Fred Pinnock tried to get standing at the inquiry, arguing that his observations led him to conclude the public was being misled about the nature and degree of money laundering in the province.
But commissioner Austin Cullen denied the request last year.
Pinnock’s lawyer told Cullen the inquiry would not exist without his client, who took early retirement in 2008.
Pinnock was the officer in charge of the integrated illegal gaming enforcement team.
B.C.’s New Democrat government launched the inquiry after reports that illegal cash was helping to fuel the real estate, luxury car and gambling sectors in B.C.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2020.
The Canadian Press
