Update, 13 September 2026: The Canadian Project Sindacato case collapsed in 2021 and charges against Figliomeni and his co-accused were stayed. The allegations were not proven in that case. The report below covers the arrests announced in July 2019. Read the follow-up reporting.
July 23rd, 2019 3.00pm
Nine alleged members of the Figliomeni crime group were arrested in July 2019, with police alleging that more than C$70 million had been laundered through Ontario casinos. The 18 month-long Project Sindacato investigation conducted by the York Regional Police Organized Crime and Intelligence Bureau targeted what police described as a complex money-laundering infrastructure involving legal businesses and casino gambling.
Giacomo Cassano Sought at the Time of the Arrests
With alleged group leader Angelo Figliomeni in custody, York Regional Police described the operation as their largest organised crime investigation, drawing on wiretaps and Ontario casino operators’ records.
Police alleged that the scheme had run for approximately five years. The investigation focused on activity at casinos in the Toronto area and culminated in arrests in Ontario, alongside a separate operation in Calabria. The Ontario province is known for its 24/7 casino police surveillance model, which is likely to be adopted in other areas of the country. The alleged use of casinos attracted scrutiny because of that surveillance. Apart from the casinos, police alleged that the group had used other money-laundering channels, including charities, car dealerships and finance companies.
The casino operators’ internal records of all the transactions were of immense help, and Detective Sergeant Carl Mattinen (Special Operations Bureau) confirmed that the trail of cash transactions was a central part of the case.
Giacomo Cassano, described by police as a member of the group, was being sought at the time of this report.
The Winning Streak
According to Det. Sgt. Mattinen, the suspects established a pattern which was maintained over the course of five years. No “straw men” were ever used in their gambling escapades, and only the most reliable members would visit the casinos, gambling away around C$30,000 – C$50,000 a night. Investigators alleged that some money was lost through gambling and the remainder was claimed as winnings.
The volume of transactions and the pattern itself drew the attention of FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada) which, together with the investigators from the Canada Revenue Agency, uncovered between 400 and 500 suspicious bank accounts.
Investigators described an elaborate alleged scheme extending beyond casinos. Aside from gambling, a significant part of what investigators described as criminal proceeds was flowing through charities such as Rev It Up fundraiser or finance firms. Police alleged that the Option B Solutions car loan company was involved as well, but they did not reveal the actual amount that was laundered through this particular business.
The Calabria Arrests
Alongside Project Sindacato, the police in Calabria were conducting its own investigation, resulting in the arrest of 12 people linked to the infamous Calabrian Ndrangheta Mafia. Antonio Nicaso, lecturer and author of over 30 books on the subject of Mafia, stated that Ndrangheta is closely connected to the Toronto crime organizations.
At the time, Nicaso described the arrests and seizure of assets as a major blow to the alleged group.
After raiding 27 homes, the police seized more than 20 vehicles and around C$35 million of assets. At the time of the arrests, businesses linked to the suspects were under investigation, while tenants in their properties were told they would not have to leave their homes.
One of the Vehicles Seized by the Police
- World Cup 2026 – Best Betting Sites in the UK - July 27, 2026
- Top 7 UK Casino Sites with Daily Jackpots (Because Waiting a Week Is Long) - July 27, 2026
- 7 Best Live Casino Game Shows You’ll Actually Like (UK Picks) - August 24, 2026
