Bergin – Financial Treason & Crime

Gus McCubbing, 26 May 2021

Crown faced pushback after cutting by half the length of a historical review into the presence of money laundering in its bank accounts, a royal commission has heard.

Provisional results from the review show indications of money laundering as recently as February, an inquiry into whether Crown remains suitable to keep its licence for its Melbourne operations was told on Wednesday. Continue reading “Article: Crown still exposed to money laundering”

03/26/202103/31/2021

Article: ‘A harm-production factory’: Crown casino faces scrutiny over problem gambling

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‘A harm-production factory’: Crown casino faces scrutiny over problem gambling

Ben Butler, 26 March 2021

Triads, shopping bags full of cash, money laundering – if you’ve been following the inquiry into Crown Resorts run by New South Wales authorities, you might think there aren’t many allegations left to be hurled at the casino operator.

But a royal commission into the operation of the James Packer-controlled group’s flagship casino in Melbourne could expose it to fresh attack over a problem its critics have long claimed is rife at the complex: problem gambling.

Opening the inquiry on Wednesday, royal commissioner Ray Finkelstein said there was “no practical utility” in going over the same territory dealt with by the NSW inquiry, which reported to state parliament in February. Continue reading “Article: ‘A harm-production factory’: Crown casino faces scrutiny over problem gambling”

03/24/2021

Article: Commission will probe money laundering

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Commission will probe money laundering

Elouise Fowler, 24 March 2021

The Crown Resorts royal commission in Victoria will probe deeper into whether money laundering is still happening at Crown’s flagship casino at Southbank in Melbourne, says the inquiry head, former Federal Court judge Ray Finkelstein, QC.

Commissioner Finkelstein said he was concerned the gambling giant had not faced up to its role in facilitating the criminal activity through its gaming rooms, as revealed in a scathing NSW inquiry that found the $8 billion company unfit to hold a licence at its new $2.2 billion casino in Sydney.

In his opening remarks on the first day of public hearings, Mr Finkelstein said he wrote to the gambling giant to gauge its “attitude” and to ask whether Crown accepted the findings from the NSW probe. Continue reading “Article: Commission will probe money laundering”

10/20/202003/31/2021

Article: Crown chairman Helen Coonan admits casino ‘facilitated’ money laundering

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Crown chairman Helen Coonan admits casino ‘facilitated’ money laundering

Mostafa Rachwani, 20 October 2020

The Crown Resorts chairman, Helen Coonan, has admitted the company facilitated money laundering at its Melbourne casino but denied it was “turning a blind eye” to criminal activity instead blaming it on “ineptitude”.

The concession was made at the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority’s inquiry into Crown’s suitability to hold a Sydney casino licence.

Coonan was asked on Tuesday about Crown’s relationship with SunCity, a high-roller junket partner with alleged criminal links. She was challenged on why Crown did not shut down SunCity’s private room in Melbourne after evidence emerged of money laundering. Continue reading “Article: Crown chairman Helen Coonan admits casino ‘facilitated’ money laundering”