The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced today, July 18, 2019, that tax evasion and fraud charges were laid as a result of a joint criminal investigation with York Regional Police (YRP) into the illegal activities of an organized crime network.

The CRA and YRP confirmed that criminal charges have been laid in this case, which involved an alleged organized crime network operating illegal gaming houses.

It was also confirmed that between July 12, 2019 and July 14, 2019, the CRA participated in 15 searches of locations which included several residences and businesses in the Greater Toronto Area and that approximately 50 CRA investigators took part in the searches with YRP and other Law Enforcement Agencies.

Specific to the CRA, tax evasion charges under the Income Tax Act (ITA) and fraud charges under the Criminal Code of Canada were filed against Angelo Figliomeni of Vaughan, who was arrested on the scene, for, among other charges, failing to report revenues totalling over $4.5 million dollars for tax years 2015 to 2017.

Further details about this case, including the charges being laid by YRP, are available in the York Regional Police Service news release. All case-specific information above was obtained from the court records. As this investigation is ongoing, additional criminal charges may be laid in the future against individuals of this organized crime network.

The CRA would like to thank YRP - the lead of this investigation - for their instrumental role in the success of this case, and would also like to acknowledge the contribution of the OPP Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, Peel Regional Police, Canada Border Services Agency and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada to this criminal investigation.

This case, along with other recent searches and cases relating to money laundering, demonstrates that progress is being made to crack down on serious tax evasion. It also shows the power of the CRA partnering with other organizations and why this is one of the Agency's priorities for its Criminal Investigations Program. As of April 1, 2019, the CRA had 16 ongoing joint force operations (JFO) with other law enforcement agencies, including municipal and provincial police as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This is a 33% increase in JFOs from the previous year.

The CRA has set up a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current on the CRA's enforcement efforts.

Associated Links

Leads Program
Voluntary Disclosures Program

-30-

Contact

Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
Phone: 416-952-8105