Cullen inquiry: Whistleblower threw away evidence, commission hears

He was proud of what he did even though it meant breaking the law — he was “shining a light on a dark issue.”

Former head of anti-money-laundering programs and whistleblower Ross Alderson was savaged in cross-examination Friday by lawyers for gaming firms and executives he impugned.

The man, whose accusations about dirty money and leaks to the media sparked an outcry that helped launch the inquiry into money laundering, was defensive and dissembled trying to explain his own acknowledged misconduct.

In an online appearance from Australia, Alderson testified he made an anonymous complaint in 2019 against former B.C. Lottery Corp. executive Robert Kroeker — a complaint found to be unsubstantiated.

“That’s a technical term,” the former Australian cop snapped. “There was no one there to corroborate what I said, so it was unfounded.”

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“There are multiple agencies involved here who have some skin in the game who didn’t fulfil all of their obligations … ” Alderson says

The former B.C. Lottery Corp. director of anti-money-laundering who helped paint the province’s casinos as laundromats for dirty money was hammered Thursday at the Cullen commission.

Ross Alderson insisted there was indifference to the flood of suspected illicit cash flowing through casinos from 2010 until 2015, but took refuge in a faulty memory and intransigence when pressed during testy exchanges with commission counsel Patrick McGowan.

“I really can’t recall that far back on the dates and times,” he repeated. “I’m not denying. … I can’t be certain, I can’t recall all the details that far back. I can’t recall that … you’re asking me about something that happened years ago.”

The whistleblower’s credibility was sorely battered by the inquiry lawyer, provincial government lawyer Kaitlyn Chewka, and those representing casinos.