Gaming job kept following him: Rich Coleman

A former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister who was responsible for gaming for off and on between 2001 and 2013 says he never asked for the job but the portfolio kept following him around.

Rich Coleman told the public inquiry into money laundering that former premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark appointed him minister responsible for gaming for reasons that ranged from experience to political seat shuffling when other people left the post.

Coleman says when he first assumed responsibility for gaming in 2001, money laundering was not considered a major issue, with loan sharks and thefts from vehicles in parking lots being considered top concerns.

The inquiry has heard previous testimony from former gaming investigators who raised concerns to Coleman about suspicious cash at casinos and the possible links to organized crime and money laundering, but they said little was done.

The government called the inquiry in May 2019, appointing B.C. Supreme Court Justice Austin Cullen as commissioner, after three reports outlined how B.C.'s real estate, luxury vehicle and gaming sectors were being used to launder illegal cash.

A final report is due Dec. 15.