Latest news with #Fouani
Calgary Herald
08-07-2025
- Calgary Herald
Calgary businessman admits laundering $800,000 on behalf of drug trafficking organization
Calgary businessman Talal Fouani admitted Tuesday to laundering about $800,000 in cash in connection with a massive drug trafficking organization, more than two years after he pleaded guilty to the charge. Article content Crown prosecutor Shelley Tkatch read in a lengthy statement of agreed facts signed by Fouani, whose case has slowly wound through Calgary Court of Justice for more than three years. Article content Article content Article content And it won't be until fall that Fouani, 48, who is now self-represented, will face a sentencing hearing before Justice Greg Stirling. Article content Article content Stirling ordered a pre-sentence report be prepared by probation at the request of both Tkatch and Fouani and also asked that a psychological assessment be conducted by the Forensic Assessment Outpatient Service. Article content The judge said the latter will be helpful in determining Fouani's 'wellness associated with the death of (his) spouse.' Article content Fouani was badly injured and his wife, Nakita Baron, killed when a gunman ambushed them outside their southwest Calgary home on Aug. 18, 2022, just two months after he was charged in connection with a massive international drug bust. Article content Edmontonian Michael Tyrel Arnold was convicted by a Calgary jury in June of second-degree murder and attempted murder in the deadly attack. He has not yet been sentenced. Article content Article content Fouani pleaded guilty to money laundering on behalf of a criminal organization on March 17, 2023, but because of a dispute between the Crown and defence on the facts, plus multiple other defence applications, the details of his crime were not put before the court. Article content Tkatch told Stirling on Tuesday that she and Fouani were able to come to a consensus on a statement of agreed facts, negating the necessity of a scheduled three-day hearing next month over disputed details. Article content Instead, she read in a lengthy document detailing a Calgary ALERT organized crime team investigation into drug trafficking and importation, money laundering and a criminal organization. Article content The main targets of the investigation were Ricco King, Elias Ade, Kary-Lynn Grant, Jarret Mackenzie and Abdul Akbar, who were all charged in connection with a scheme in which more than 800 kg of methamphetamine and cocaine were seized by police, Tkatch said.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Organized crime money launderer says he did not try to flee Canada, warrants vacated
A Calgary man who was wanted on warrants after he was suspected of attempting to flee the country ahead of his sentencing hearing for organized crime money laundering called the situation a "serious misunderstanding." After missing a court appearance Friday, Talal Fouani appeared before a judge on Monday so that his warrants could be vacated. Fouani called an allegation that he tried to book a charter flight to the Caribbean "inaccurate and damaging." "People thought I was fleeing the country and I was just sitting at home," Fouani, 48, told the judge. He also provided an emailed statement to CBC News. "I want to make it unequivocally clear that I have not and do not have any intention of fleeing," said Fouani. "I am committed to resolving this matter and will ensure that I attend all future court dates as required." Fouani said he believed his next court date was several months away and said missing Friday's appearance "was an honest mistake and not an attempt to avoid my obligations." The parties appeared before Justice Greg Stirling on Monday, and prosecutor Shelley Tkatch told the judge that Fouani contacted her early Sunday morning when he realized he'd missed court Friday and that warrants had been issued for his arrest. Fouani told her he was under the belief his next court date was in August, when a three-day sentencing hearing is set to take place. "I accept his explanation," said Tkatch. Fouani pleaded guilty more than two years ago. Before a sentencing hearing could take place, Fouani's first lawyer, Yoav Niv, filed a dozen applications, most of which went nowhere but had the effect of delaying the case. Fouani told the court he is working to rehire his second lawyer, Greg Dunn, to handle the case moving forward. The case dates back to 2022, when several people were charged in an investigation into a massive, cross-border drug trafficking operation involving Mexican cartels. Fouani's charges of money laundering were among the least serious and he entered a guilty plea several months later. The others facing more serious charges, including Ricco King, the alleged leader of the organization, saw their charges stayed by the Crown late last year. It's been a source of torment for Fouani. "Everyone else has gotten away with everything," Fouani said on Monday, telling the court he intends to file a stay application before the sentencing hearing. Justice Stirling declined to comment on the potential application and told Fouani he is committed to keeping the case "on track." "As things stand, sentencing is proceeding in August."
CBC
05-05-2025
- CBC
Organized crime money launderer says he did not try to flee Canada, warrants vacated
A Calgary man who was wanted on warrants after he was suspected of attempting to flee the country ahead of his sentencing hearing for organized crime money laundering called the situation a "serious misunderstanding." After missing a court appearance Friday, Talal Fouani appeared before a judge on Monday so that his warrants could be vacated. Fouani called an allegation that he tried to book a charter flight to the Caribbean "inaccurate and damaging." "People thought I was fleeing the country and I was just sitting at home," Fouani, 48, told the judge. 'An honest mistake' He also provided an emailed statement to CBC News. "I want to make it unequivocally clear that I have not and do not have any intention of fleeing," said Fouani. "I am committed to resolving this matter and will ensure that I attend all future court dates as required." Fouani said he believed his next court date was several months away and said missing Friday's appearance "was an honest mistake and not an attempt to avoid my obligations." The parties appeared before Justice Greg Stirling on Monday, and prosecutor Shelley Tkatch told the judge that Fouani contacted her early Sunday morning when he realized he'd missed court Friday and that warrants had been issued for his arrest. Fouani told her he was under the belief his next court date was in August, when a three-day sentencing hearing is set to take place. "I accept his explanation," said Tkatch. Case delay Fouani pleaded guilty more than two years ago. Before a sentencing hearing could take place, Fouani's first lawyer, Yoav Niv, filed a dozen applications, most of which went nowhere but had the effect of delaying the case. Fouani told the court he is working to rehire his second lawyer, Greg Dunn, to handle the case moving forward. The case dates back to 2022, when several people were charged in an investigation into a massive, cross-border drug trafficking operation involving Mexican cartels. Fouani's charges of money laundering were among the least serious and he entered a guilty plea several months later. Others got away 'with everything' The others facing more serious charges, including Ricco King, the alleged leader of the organization, saw their charges stayed by the Crown late last year. It's been a source of torment for Fouani. "Everyone else has gotten away with everything," Fouani said on Monday, telling the court he intends to file a stay application before the sentencing hearing. Justice Stirling declined to comment on the potential application and told Fouani he is committed to keeping the case "on track."
Calgary Herald
04-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
Money launderer Talal Fouani denies he attempted to flee country
Article content Calgary businessman Talal Fouani said Sunday he has not attempted to flee the country and is committed to resolving his criminal charge of laundering crime proceeds. Article content Article content In a text to Postmedia, Fouani said suggestions he tried to leave Canada two weeks ago are false and he wants to clear his name. Article content Crown prosecutor Shelley Tkatch was granted an application for a warrant for Fouani's arrest when he failed to attend a court appearance Friday. Tkatch also indicated she had unconfirmed information 'that he may have attempted to leave Canada two weeks ago.' Article content Article content Tkatch also told Justice Karim Jivraj that it was unusual for Fouani to miss a court date. Article content Article content 'Normally, Mr. Fouani has been very diligent showing up for this matter,' she said. Article content But Fouani said in his text to Postmedia it was simply an error on his part and he thought his next court date was in August, when he is scheduled to face a three-day sentencing hearing on the money laundering charge. Article content 'I want to clarify a serious misunderstanding regarding allegations that I have attempted to flee the country,' Fouani wrote. Article content 'I want to make it unequivocally clear that I have not, and do not have any intention of fleeing. And I would like to find out how this information came about. Article content 'Unfortunately, I missed a court date because I was under the mistaken impression that my next court date was Aug. 18. This was an honest mistake and not an attempt to avoid my obligations,' he said. Article content 'I am committed to resolving this matter and will ensure that I attend all future court dates as required.' Article content Article content Fouani has arranged to appear in court Monday morning. Tkatch confirmed the scheduled appearance and said the warrant will be deemed executed if Fouani attends. Article content Fouani has been free on bail since June 14, 2022, and in March 2023 pleaded guilty to laundering the proceeds of drug trafficking. Article content Two months after he was charged he was the victim of a deadly ambush outside his southwest Calgary home. The attack took the life of his wife, Nakita Baron, and left Fouani badly wounded. Article content An Edmonton man, Michael Tyrel Arnold, was convicted in February of second-degree murder and attempted murder for the attack on Fouani. Article content The couple were ambushed as Fouani backed his older-model Bentley out of his driveway and Arnold, clad in a construction vest and walking a dog, signalled for him to roll down the window before firing two shots into the car. Article content Fouani is currently unrepresented after firing his first lawyer Yoav Niv, after Justice Greg Stirling, who is presiding over his sentencing, declined to have himself removed from the case over an apprehension of bias. Article content Defence counsel Greg Dunn came on the file and argued Fouani was the victim of an unconstitutional delay in the proceeding. After that was rejected, Dunn went off the record. Article content
CBC
02-05-2025
- CBC
Warrants issued for organized crime money launderer who may have tried to flee Canada
Social Sharing A Calgary man awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to laundering money for organized crime may have tried to flee the country. Warrants have been issued for his arrest. Talal Fouani pleaded guilty more than two years ago but has not been sentenced yet as his matter drags through the court process. In August 2022, just after he was charged with money laundering, Fouani and his wife were sitting in their Bentley when a man walked up to the vehicle and shot both. Nakita Baron died, Fouani was injured but survived. Michael Tyrel Arnold, who is from Edmonton, was convicted of murder and attempted murder following a trial earlier this year. Fouani believes the shooting was related to his charges before the court. On Friday, Fouani was supposed to appear in court but did not show up. 'He may have made an attempt to leave Canada' Federal prosecutor Shelley Tkatch asked Justice Karim Jivraj to issue a warrant for Fouani's arrest. "Normally, Mr. Fouani has been very diligent in showing up," said Tkatch. "I have received some information that he may have made an attempt to leave Canada a few weeks ago." Jivraj granted the Crown's request and issued the warrants. Fouani no longer has a lawyer. Yoav Niv, his first lawyer, got off record after the judge denied an application to recuse himself. At the time, Fouani told the court he was broke after paying Niv $500,000 in legal fees. Co-accused's charges stayed Fouani and his second lawyer, Greg Dunn, recently parted ways. The case was back in court Friday so the judge could be updated on whether Fouani has found a new lawyer to represent him at a three-day sentencing hearing set to take place in August. Fouani's convictions related to a police investigation into a massive, cross-border drug trafficking operation involving Mexican cartels. At the time charges were laid, police said the $55-million drug bust involving nearly one metric tonne of methamphetamine and six kilograms of cocaine was the largest ever in Alberta. Last September, just weeks before Fouani's Jordan hearing, the Crown stayed the charges faced by his co-accused, including the alleged leader of the organized crime syndicate, Ricco King.
