Special prosecutor decides against charges in B.C. money laundering investigation

David Eby, then B.C.'s attorney general, leaves a news conference after delivering remarks on Commissioner Austin Cullen's final report from his Inquiry into money laundering in British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, June 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

Victoria -

Charges won't be laid in one of British Columbia's largest money laundering probes, despite a government directive for a special prosecutor to conduct a second review of a police investigation.

B.C.'s Prosecution Service says in a statement that special prosecutor Chris Considine agrees with an earlier decision by the prosecution service that charge assessment standards had not been met and no charges would be approved.

Considine, a senior Victoria lawyer, was appointed last March to conduct an independent charge assessment of the multi-year E-Nationalize investigation, which concluded in 2021 and proposed eight charges against Paul King Jin of Richmond, B.C.

The statement says the proposed charges against Jin included laundering currency and bank drafts, possession of property obtained by the commission of an indictable offence and failure to register a money services business.

The statement includes a letter signed by Premier David Eby in November 2021, when he was B.C. attorney general, to direct the Criminal Justice Branch to appoint a lawyer to conduct the independent charge assessment.

Jin was represented by lawyers at the Cullen Commission public inquiry into money laundering in B.C. that concluded billions in illicit funds linked to organized crime and the drug trade had an effect on B.C.'s real estate, gaming and luxury vehicle sectors, but it found no corruption by officials.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 1, 2023.