The Immigration and Refugee Board has decided to deport an Ontario man for having alleged ties to the Italian Mafia.
Carlo Figliomeni, a 42-year-old Italian citizen who was granted permanent resident status in Ontario in 1988, has been declared "inadmissible to Canada" after the board heard evidence that he has links to the Siderno crime family.
A public hearing was told that Figliomeni was convicted of weapons offences in Italy. Those weapons were linked to a number of murders sparked by a long-standing feud between two rival families, the Commisso and Costa clans.
A York Regional Police detective who investigates organized crime reported a close affiliation between the Figliomeni and Siderno families -- a network connected to the Commissos.
Det. Alan Cooke said the Commissos and Costas are fighting each other for control of Siderno, Italy.
Cooke's report says control of the region "would result in enormous profits for them and their Canadian and American associates -- known as the ‘Siderno Group.'"
The war between the two families has resulted in a number of murders, including the killing of Giovanni Costa in Concord, Ont.
A distant family member of the Figliomeni family was convicted of Costa's murder.
Cook said the Figliomeni family has been tied to money laundering, drug trafficking, importing and exporting drugs as well as stock fraud.
Figliomeni has denied any personal involvement with the organized crime group. He said that he has only been in contact with members of the family at social events.
However, Cook said confidential sources have identified Figliomeni as a low-ranking foot soldier for the group.
Figliomeni has 15 days to appeal the decision.
