Wiretaps featuring conversations between Montreal's top Mafia figures were played at the Charbonneau Commission Wednesday, revealing the influence Vito Rizzuto had on a major construction project.
On the tapes, Rizzuto is heard using his influence and mediation skills to bring financing partners together to see a high-end condo project through.
Listen: Wiretaps reveal Rizzuto influence on condo project
The project belonged to construction kingpin Tony Magi, who was having financing problems at the time.
The tapes were presented by Mafia investigator Eric Vecchio.
Vecchio explained that although Rizzuto was very much involved in the project, he never invested any of his money. It was, however, expected he receive a cut of the profits.
“He says Tony and the lawyer, they had accepted $300,000 to get out of this problem over here and finish it. The only way, the only reason we’re still on the table here is because you guys, you and Mike, got mixed up and I’m willing to, you know, let things pass and go ahead with the project,” Rizzuto is heard saying on the wiretap.
The tapes, Vecchio said, demonstrate Rizzuto's preference for negotiation rather than violence, perhaps why he was such a dominant figure in organized crime for so long.
Vecchio's testimony will wrap up Thursday and the commission will take a break until the end of the election campaign.
