The B.C. Lotteries Corporation is embroiled in chaos this week after it was revealed they are facing $670,000 in fines for alleged violations of the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorism Financing Act.

Even though B.C. is the only provincial jurisdiction in Canada to be fined for this, Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman continues to dismiss serious concerns raised by British Columbians, including Solicitor General Mike de Jong:

• De Jong said the reports of violations of the federal anti-money laundering law are “troubling” (CKNW, July 20);

• But Coleman directly dismissed the Solicitor General’s concerns, saying de Jong spoke “out of context for what his knowledge of the issue was” (Vancouver Sun, July 22);

• And Coleman continues to downplay the alleged violations of the Proceeds of Crime Act, saying that the BCLC’s system for monitoring criminal activity like money laundering is “very good” (Vancouver Sun, July 22).

Not only is Minister Coleman out of line with the Solicitor General, he continues to dispute the experts at FINTRAC:

• Minister Coleman dismissed public anger over the latest scandal, saying “this stuff is a couple years old” (CKNW July 22);

• But FINTRAC has said they only level fines when they have run out of options, after chronic failure to comply with their rules (CIGV, July 22).

If the public, the Solicitor General, and FINTRAC all share concerns about BCLC’s ability to report criminal activity, why does Minister Coleman continue to ignore them?