Налоговая Канады расследует схему уклонения от уплаты налогов у строительной фирмы владельца, осужденного за торговлю наркотиками

Halifax construction firm tied to convicted drug dealer investigated for alleged tax scheme Gary Michael (Boo) Boudreau, 50, found guilty last year of drug, money laundering, proceeds of crime offences A construction company that was owned by a 50-year-old Halifax-area man who was at the centre of a major RCMP drug investigation is now being scrutinized by the Canada Revenue Agency for an alleged illegal tax scheme. Gary Michael (Boo) Boudreau will be sentenced in October for drug, proceeds of crime and money-laundering offences after being convicted last year following an extensive 2020 police investigation into cocaine trafficking and illegal cannabis grow-ops in the region. But as he faces expected prison time, a new investigation has emerged into the affairs of his drywalling and insulation company, GMB East Coast Enterprises Inc. Tax investigators in March searched two homes, including the suburban lakeside house where Boudreau lives, seizing dozens of documents and financial records dating between 2020 and 2023, according to court filings. The court records say the investigation is examining potential offences under the Income Tax Act, including making false or deceptive entries or omissions in company records, and evading or attempting to evade compliance with the act or the payment of taxes. Investigation could take another 8 months No charges have been laid in the case and none of the allegations have been tested in court. An affidavit filed by a CRA investigator in June suggested it would take another eight months or so before investigators determine whether tax or other charges are warranted. Boudreau’s lawyer, Pat MacEwen, said in an email that he hasn’t reviewed the documents underlying the search warrants, but added “searches are often conducted based on information which turns out to be erroneous. Mr. Boudreau has not been charged with any offences by CRA at this time.” While Boudreau was listed as the president and sole director of the company, the search warrant records do not indicate how he might be involved in the alleged scheme, and instead focus on a supervisor for the company. The tax probe stems in part from evidence gathered during the RCMP criminal investigation six years ago, including surveillance reports from officers who took photos of cheques and cash being exchanged in a Bedford, N.S., parking lot. The CRA alleges the GMB supervisor would issue cheques to subcontractors who were in fact “straw recipients.” They would supply a fake invoice, deposit the cheques, then immediately withdraw most or all of the money in cash, handing it back over to the supervisor. The cash was then used to pay the subcontractors who were actually doing the work, according to the CRA. That kept their payments off the books, making it “virtually impossible” for authorities to determine if they paid the proper amount of tax, according to the records. In one case, a subcontractor appeared to have received tens of thousands of dollars in cash payments, but reported just $1 in income on his tax return, according to an affidavit from a CRA investigator. GMB would also include the payments to the “straw recipients” on its income tax filings, according to allegations, reducing the company’s taxable income. As for two “straw recipients” examined by the CRA, in some cases they may have done legitimate work, but it's alleged their primary role was that of a "cheque casher," and at least one was likely paid a commission. It was noted the pair didn’t file their income taxes at all during the years under investigation. A spokesperson for the CRA declined to comment on the case this week, as did the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. The fact that Boudreau ran a construction firm and earned income from the company was examined at his criminal trial in Halifax provincial court. It was pointed to by his defence lawyer, who argued there was not enough proof that Boudreau's wealth derived from proceeds of crime. Judge Elizabeth Buckle, however, found Boudreau guilty of proceeds of crime offences, including using drug money to help build his Kearney Lake home, now assessed at $1.2 million. The prosecution subsequently sought the forfeiture of the home. But Buckle ruled in July it should not be turned over to the government since it had been built with a mix of both legal and illegitimate funds. She ordered Boudreau to instead pay a $240,000 fine. Last week, the prosecution filed an appeal of that decision. It wants the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal to order that the house be forfeited. No date for the appeal has been set. Buckle will sentence Boudreau in late October on charges relating to cocaine trafficking, proceeds of crime, money laundering, and weapons offences linked to a shotgun found in his bedroom. He is likely heading to prison. Prosecutors have sought 13 years behind bars, while the defence argued for 3 and a half years during submissions this spring. MORE TOP STORIES