NCJ Number
56568
Date Published
1977
Length
308 pages
Annotation
FROM FEBRUARY 1973 TO THE FALL OF 1977, THE QUEBEC POLICE COMMISSION (CANADA) INVESTIGATED MONTREAL'S UNDERWORLD ACTIVITIES, REVEALING A VAST ILLEGAL BUSINESS NETWORK THROUGH THEIR ARREST AND CONVICTION OF WILLIAM OBRONT.
Abstract
THE COMMISSION'S INVESTIGATION WAS ENTITLED PROJECT 'ERIC,' INVOLVED 462 CLOSED-DOOR INTERROGATIONS WITH 278 WITNESSES, AND LED TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF OBRONT ON NOVEMBER 23, 1976, FOR HIS CONFISCATION OF $515.991. THE ILLEGAL MONETARY MANIPULATIONS AND OTHER CRIMES THAT SURROUNDED THIS CHARACTER WERE NOTICEABLY AFFECTED BY HIS ARREST; THE ENSUING ARRESTS, HOUSE SEARCHES, SEIZURE OF DOCUMENTS, AND POLICE ACTION REVEALED THE WIDESPREAD WORLD OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN MONTREAL AND SURROUNDING AREAS. THE COMMISSION'S FINDINGS ARE REPORTED HERE, WITH A COMPLETE PROFILE OF WILLIAM OBRONT, HIS ENTIRE FAMILY, ENTOURAGE, ACOLYTES, AND UNDERWORLD CONTACTS; THE EXPOSURE OF HIS COMPANIES, BUSINESSES, AND FRONTS; AND A COMPLETE RECOUNTING OF THE IMMENSE SUMS OF MONEY THAT PASSED THROUGH HIS HANDS, INCLUDING LISTS OF HIS BANK ACCOUNTS. THE STORY OF ZIGGY WISEMAN, HIS EXTENSIVE BUSINESS OF PROSTITUTION, AND HOW THIS BUSINESS FELL UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE UNDERWORLD ALSO UNFOLDS. IN ADDITION, OBRONT'S USURIOUS LOAN PRACTICE, ONE OF HIS PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF INCOME, IS DESCRIBED, ALONG WITH ACCOUNTS OF HIS GAMBLING OPERATIONS, HIS INVOLVEMENT IN STOCKS AND SHARES, AND HIS PRACTICE OF TAX EVASION. FINALLY, THE BANKS' INVOLVEMENT IN ORGANIZED CRIME IS DETAILED. THE TEXTS OF INTERROGATIONS, TABLES OF STATISTICS, FLOW CHARTS, AND DIAGRAMS ILLUSTRATE THE EXTENT OF OBRONT'S INVOLVEMENT, THE COMPLEX MAZE OF HIS INTERACTION WITH HUNDREDS OF PERSONS AND BUSINESSES, AND THE EXTENSIVE CORRUPTION WITHIN THE BANKS AT ALL LEVELS OF ADMINISTRATION. FROM ITS EXPERIENCES IN THIS AND OTHER INVESTIGATIONS INTO ORGANIZED CRIME, THE COMMISSION HAS DRAWN A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS CENTERING ON SUCH AREAS AS BANKING PRACTICES, ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVICES, TRANSACTIONS IN STOCKS AND SHARES, TAX EVASION, CUSTOMS PROCEDURES, AND REVISION OF THE PENAL CODE WITH RESPECT TO ORGANIZED CRIME. THE TEXTS OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PROVIDED ALONG WITH THE TEXT OF THE COMMISSION'S CHARTER. --IN FRENCH. (MHP)