Thread by @JohnHua

Unlike OIC Clapham, Ackles tells @CullenInquiryBC he was unaware of @riverrockcasino management expressing any concerns regarding @RichmondRCMP walkthroughs in the casino. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles is talking about starting with GPEB on-site @riverrockcasino. He is being asked about suspicious transaction reports of one VIP. Tells @CullenInquiryBC that despite being a well-known concern no restrictions were placed on the patron. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Each of the VIP's suspicious transactions were between $200-300K all in $20 bills. Ackles tells the @CullenInquiryBC that the characteristics of the transactions resembled that of proceeds of crime based on his policing experience. @GlobalBC @CKNW @BC1

Ackles tells the @CullenInquiryBC that he would witness cash transactions like this daily at the @riverrockcasino when he was stationed there as a GPEB investigator. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles tells the @CullenInquiryBC that GPEB investigators are a level 2 policing agency with access to criminal databases ie) running license plates. This info was not avail to @BCLC investigators. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles tells @CullenInquiryBC that @BCLC had player information through it's itrack system that wasn't directly forwarded to GPEB. This had to be requested if GPEB had knowledge of it. @GlobalBC @CKNW @BC1

Ackles tells @CullenInquiryBC that the investigative work done by GPEB and @BCLC overlapped. Found that over time, there was no need to duplicate the work done by BCLC ie) review of surveillance reports. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

GPEB had the added authority to launch a post-registration investigation based on findings. This involved gaming employees who were investigated for possible wrongdoing. @CullenInquiryBC @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles said that registered gaming employees' key obligation to GPEB was to file suspicious transaction reports which was generally done. @CullenInquiryBC @GlobalBC @CKNW @BC1

Ackles tells the @CullenInquiryBC that as a GPEB investigator he did not believe he had the authority to tell a service provider to refuse money, ban a patron or seize suspicious cash. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles said his powers as GPEB investigator would not allow him to directly investigate things like proceeds of crime and money laundering. That had to be left to police who had higher status. @CullenInquiryBC @GlobalBC @CKNW @BC1

Ackles is being asked by @CullenInquiryBC counsel about 2013 GPEB meeting where power to deal with large cash transactions was discussed. Determined criminal offences like money laundering & loansharking was beyond their scope - complicated policing matters. @GlobalBC @CKNW @BC1

Ackles discusses scenario where it might have been beneficial for GPEB to intercept patrons on the way to cash cage. It was likely better for intel than police evidence. @CullenInquiryBC @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

There was also concern that asking patrons about their source of funds was a safety concern for GPEB investigators. @BCLC started doing this in 2015. @CullenInquiryBC @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles tells the @CullenInquiryBC there might have been a difference in optics of a patron dealing with GPEB and and @BCLC. He says ther might have been more risk for GPEB investigators if they interviewed patrons. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles tells the @CullenInquiryBC that GPEB saw no change in the acceptance of cash from the casino service provider during 2015 and 2018. @GlobalBC @CKNW @BC1

Ackles is being asked about concerns of large cash transactions made to high officials at GPEB, this includes GM John Mazure. He tells @CullenInquiryBC he saw no significant change in GPEB's approach towards this concern at the time. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles telling @CullenInquiryBC that a new GPEB spreadsheet was implemented to keep track of suspicious large transactions. In 2015, it listed $20M of which nearly $14.9M was in $20s. @GlobalBC @CKNW @BC1

Ackles tells @CullenInquiryBC the purpose of the spreadsheet was to make the issue of large cash transactions more relevant to higher officials at GPEB including Exec Dir. Len Meilleur. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

The criteria of the spreadsheet was in excess of $50k with some component in $20 bills. Ackles tells @CullenInquiryBC that when he first sent Meilleur the spreadsheet, he was shocked and thought Ackles was joking and that it was erroneous. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles agrees that Meilleur's his reaction to the spreadsheet, he might not have known the scope of the issue. He tells the @CullenInquiryBC that changes didn't come immediately in reaction but happened over time. @GlobalBC @BC1 @CKNW

Ackles tells the @CullenInquiryBC that he knows meetings were held by GPEB with the BC Minister of Finance at the time. Ackles said he would be placed on the @BCRCMP JIGIT team as a result. @GlobalBC @CKNW @BC1