Premier Notley uses Cullen report delay to hit B.C. in ‘dirty money’ tax

The British Columbia government is giving the Cullen Commission more time to file its report on money laundering in Metro Vancouver.

The report was originally expected to be complete by the end of March, but the government has extended the deadline until June 30.

In a letter to the commission, B.C.’s Attorney General David Eby said “I am deeply disappointed that the Cullen Commission has not been able to deliver its report by the end of March.”

“Not only did the Cullen Commission act on time on every other item of this report, the entire report takes approximately 62 pages,” Eby wrote. “As you can tell, I am frustrated at this delay and am looking for answers.”

On Monday, KPMG said it is withholding until June its valuation of the money laundering assets seized from Schell, saying the government didn’t pay the fees it owed for three months of “manpower and expertise”.

It means KPMG could produce its report at the end of June, or sooner.

“But if we take their premises on a day-to-day basis, the week before next Friday, then what I have in mind is not easy,” Eby said.

Meanwhile, the province says it has charged four people in relation to organized crime, significant crime, organized trafficking of contraband tobacco and drug trafficking.

None of the charges have been proven in court.

In January, Eby said B.C. had laid 50 police-related criminal cases and on Wednesday said there have been 32 criminal indictments against organized crime groups.

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