Latest news with #Campagna
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Guilt by association': Attempts to send Hells Angels gambling probe player back to Italy, halted
A man sentenced as part of a Hells Angels' gambling den investigation, which uncovered alleged ties to the Figliomeni crime family, has been granted a judicial review as the government attempts to send him back to Italy. The decision comes more than a year after the Minister of Public Safety decided Giorgio Campagna, 62, a permanent resident in Canada, should be referred for an admissibility hearing with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. '(It was) found that the severity of the applicant's actions and their impact on public safety outweighed the concerns the applicant had raised about the adverse consequences of his removal from Canada,' read court documents, referring to the 2023 decision. Now though, federal court Justice John Norris ruled a judge needs to look into the matter after discovering some potential flaws. 'This application for judicial review will be allowed, (the former) decision will be set aside and the matter will be remitted for redetermination by a different decision-maker,' he wrote in his findings. Campagna pleaded guilty to keeping a common gaming house in March 2021 after he was arrested in December 2019. The arrest came as part of an OPP probe, dubbed Project Hobart, into the Hells Angels alleged online sports gambling ring and gambling den at 680 Silver Creek Blvd., in Mississauga. The investigation has been in the news lately after Craig 'Truck' McIIquham, a Hells Angel charged in the operation, was gunned down in a targeted shooting outside a Burlington Mandarin at the end of April. As part of Campagna's plea, three counts of bookmaking and the commission of a crime of an offence for a criminal organization charge were withdrawn. For his crimes he received a conditional discharge, which essentially equates to probation. Project Hobart resulted in 28 arrests and alleged the group made $131 million over five years in the illegal gambling space. The probe used intercepted private communications and surveillance to allege the Mississauga unit was owned and operated by Raffaele Simonelli, Serafino Barone, Ralph Elammar and Dimitris Kellsis. All charges against the four, including firearm, betting house and bookmaking allegations, were stayed. When police searched the café in December 2019, seven video gaming machines were seized. For months Campagna went to collect cash from the machines and discussed their maintenance, the investigation showed. One conversation indicated that one week the proceeds amounted to $7,440, of which he retained about 20 per cent, court documents allege. When search warrants were executed at Campagna's home and car, investigators found $79,020 of which Campagna agreed, of this amount all but $3,235 was obtained by crime. Court documents pointed to a 2023 report prepared by the CBSA suggesting there were reasonable grounds to believe that Campagna is inadmissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which refers to 'organized criminality' and 'engaging in an illegal gaming enterprise.' The inland enforcement officer alleged Campagna was a member of an illegal gaming enterprise with ties to both the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and the Figliomeni crime group. 'The officer found that the applicant was a 'midtier' and trusted member of the criminal organization …(and) had direct contact with senior members of the illegal gaming operation,' court documents read. 'The officer also found that (Campagna) had … jeopardized the safety and security of Canadian society.' However Norris ruled the CBSA went 'well beyond' anything mentioned in Campagna's guilty plea or agreed statement of facts. 'I agree with the applicant that the delegate's decision is unreasonable in two key respects: the assessment of the applicant's criminality and the assessment of the applicant's personal circumstances,' it reads. 'The reasoning process appears to be nothing but guilt by association.' The court heard how a delegate of the Minister of Public Safety used the weapons seized from a separate mafia probe into the Figliomeni crime group, called Project Sindicato, to conclude Campagna's actions warranted a referral for an admissibility hearing, despite him never being charged as a part of Sindicato, Norris also found Campagna's ability to communicate in Italy and receive treatment were not properly considered. For his part, Campagna said he's been in Canada since age five, but has never sought full citizenship. The court also heard his claims that he's remorseful and called his involvement in the crimes a 'relatively minor offence.' His family, including his mother, who is suffering from dementia, his common-law partner, siblings, children and grandchildren all live in Canada. The court also heard from Campagna that he has a litany of illnesses, no friends in Italy and does not speak the language.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amerlux Unveils Industry-First Grid-to-Grid Cove Lighting System
Grid Cove Lighting Named a Top 10 Must-See at LEDucation and [d]arc Award Contender OAKLAND, N.J., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Amerlux launched Grid Cove, the industry's first-ever, fully integrated, out-of-the-box cove lighting system designed specifically for ACT grid ceilings. Unlike traditional solutions, the fixture itself forms the cove, eliminating the need for framing, drywall and on-site construction. Today, Amerlux launched Grid Cove, the industry's first-ever, fully integrated, out-of-the-box cove lighting system designed specifically for ACT grid ceilings. Unlike traditional solutions, the fixture itself forms the cove, eliminating the need for framing, drywall and on-site construction. Traditionally seen as a luxury reserved for hard ceilings, Grid Cove allows cove lighting to be integrated into standard 2x2 or 2x4 grid ceiling systems, transforming standard commercial, retail and hospitality spaces into elegant environments without the expensive cost, mess or complexity of conventional cove lighting systems. Grid Cove is already earning recognition in the design world. The fixture was named a Top 10 must-see at LEDucation 2025 and shortlisted for the prestigious [d]arc award. "Grid Cove brings indirect lighting to spaces where it was once thought impossible, elevating grid ceilings from basic to breathtaking," said Chuck Campagna, President & CEO of Amerlux. "It's a cost-effective option for designers and builders seeking upscale aesthetics and the impact of drywall coves—delivered faster, at lower cost and with superior performance. We're thrilled to bring this innovative product to market." What Makes Grid Cove Different Campagna outlines five key features that distinguish Grid Cove from competitors and conventional cove lighting solutions:
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Three Wheeled Fun: T-Rex RR
Read the full story on Backfire News Surely there's a reason why someone, after putting just 3,000 miles on this 2024 Campagna T-Rex RR, is selling it. Depending on your attitude about this three-wheeled machine, you might believe it could be for any number of interesting reasons. All we know is someone else will inevitably snatch this little toy are a number of three-wheeled vehicles out there which are supposed to give you a sporty or downright track-oriented experience. In some states you can register them as cars, but in others they're legally considered motorcycles, meaning you need special insurance and an endorsement or license to drive it. All we know is this isn't the kind of vehicle for just anyone. Not only does it sit low to the ground (and so is easily missed by other drivers) it gives you more of an open-air experience than a Jeep Wrangler, definitely making it more like riding a motorcycle. Plus, the lightweight toy tips the scale at just 998 lbs. and has a 1441cc naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that cranks out 208-horsepower. Sure, that's not much when you're talking about a passenger vehicle, but in this thing it's plenty of power to get it moving in a hurry. In fact, Campagna says it can go 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and pull 1.3 g in lateral acceleration. As the driver, you use a six-speed sequential transmission Like a motorcycle, this has a swing arm rear suspension but up front uses a dual wishbone. Plus, there shock in the front and rear are adjustable, so you can get the kind of ride quality you want. Even though this thing is marketed as a track toy, it comes with lockable side cases, one on each side. That means you could hit the open road, like what people do on their motorcycles, only those allow you to bring along a little bit of gear. You can also remove them. Do you think this thing is a death trap on wheels or a great way to get out and enjoy the road? Would you plunk down the $64,995 being asked for it? See the listing for this T-Rex RR here. Images via Zach Crawford
