Vito Rizzuto was caught by security camera’s as he strolled through a casino in the Dominican Republic on August 14, 2013, just 131 days before he passed away back in Montreal.
The long-time boss of the Rizzuto Crime family of the Montreal mafia was believed to have been in the Dominican on business and perhaps his last deal before his death. Vito would pass away in the midst of a revenge plot against mob rivals who had earlier attempted to take over the Montreal underworld leading to the ongoing bloody Montreal mafia war.
“Vito Rizzuto Dominican Republic 2013“
Authorities believe that Vito and the Rizzuto crime family were attempting to muscle their way into control of the Dominican Republic casino’s through a company named Dream Group. The company has been a target of an ongoing investigation as to its business practices and links to organized crime including the mafia. Michael DeGroote one of Canad’a richest men was a main investor into the company and now finds himself caught up in a bitter conflict.
“Michael DeGroote“
The Rizzuto family has long held links to the Dominican Republic using it as a transit point for drug shipments to Montreal. Although authorities believe Mr. DeGroote had no previous knowledge of any organized crime links when investing almost $120 Million US dollars into the company others involved had previous links or organized crime according to reports from the investigation. According to the investigative reports Rizzuto was brought in by part owner Andrew Pajak in an attempt to take control from his partners Antonio and Francesco Carbone.
“Carbone Brothers“
Rizzuto had a series of meetings down in the Dominican with Alexander Visser who has a long criminal history and Pajak according to sources quoted in the investigation. It is believed that these meetings were discussions on what would be done with the company and the Carbone brothers. Antonio Carbone says he was then called into a meeting in Toronto with Vito Rizzuto and Pajack and was told by Rizzuto to walk away or else.
But before plans could be carried out any further Vito would pass away from what was believed to be complications of lung cancer. It is believed this was the final deal in the criminal life of Vito Rizzuto and it is unknown as to any involvement the mafia in Montreal and Rizzuto family now has in the casino’s or other interest in the Dominican.
