'She needs to stay in her lane': Ford takes aim at auditor general after casino sting operation
Premier Doug Ford says Ontario’s auditor general needs to “stay in her lane” after she ordered a casino-sting operation in the province.
Ford made the comments about Bonnie Lysyk during a press conference Thursday, the day after the annual auditor general report was released.
“The auditor general has to stay in her line and focus on where there's a waste of money,” Ford said. “You can’t do a sting operation, you can’t all of a sudden deputize yourself and think you’re the secret service – going around and doing sting operations that failed, by the way.”
The mystery shoppers were hired from a private consulting firm by Lysyk as part of an audit of Ontario’s Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) conducted between January and September 2022 in an effort to determine whether it was possible to launder money through casinos.
The shoppers entered the casinos with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $11,000 in cash, played at table games and slots for 10 to 15 minutes, and then proceeded to be cashed out with cheques, according to the report.
The auditor says, although staff attempted to verify whether the mystery shopper had played at the casino, some failed to verify whether the funds were coming from legitimate wins.
At two casinos, mystery shoppers were able to obtain four casino cheques for between $4,900 and $10,750 with limited play and no casino winnings.
“Now these funds could be considered ‘laundered’ because the cheque could be represented as casino winnings as the source of funds for deposit at a bank," it said.
Shoppers were unsuccessful at two other casinos – at one in Windsor, Ont., shoppers were “appropriately” turned away. At another – the location was not provided – OPP officers were notified of suspicious activity and investigated the mystery shoppers for the potential threat of money laundering.
The shoppers investigated by the OPP were provided with trespassing notices to the casinos – a move that saw Ford express sympathy for those involved.
“These poor folks that they hired are now banned from the casinos,” he said. "So, she needs to stay in her lane and focus on value for money."
JURISDICTIONAL OVERSTEP?
Ford called the move “mission creep,” suggesting it overstepped into police jurisdiction, and saying such behaviours seem to constitute “a pattern” for Lysyk.
“I can’t speak for the police, but I know they wouldn’t be happy, whether it be OPP, local police, or RCMP,” he said. “It seems like a pattern for this auditor general.”
Within her report, Lysyk acknowledged the overlap, and said that “since 2019, OLG has consulted with OPP officers [..] to discuss patrons being considered for trespass notices, and to ensure that OLG’s actions do not interfere with any ongoing OPP investigations.”
While offering criticism to Lysyk, Ford underlined he ultimately welcomes the auditing process.
“I welcome the auditors,” he said. “They have an opportunity to dig deep and audit areas, and I welcome that.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
WATCH LIVE Toronto police to release updated list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
Toronto police and law enforcement partners will be releasing the BOLO program’s updated list of the top 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada at a news conference on Tuesday morning.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.