Raj Grewal told the Liberals that he had a debt of over a million dollars: source

Liberal MP Raj Grewal told a political party official last week that he had accumulated a debt of over a million dollars and that he had a gambling problem, according to one source. informed about it.

Grewal last Wednesday held talks with Liberal MP Mark Holland, during which Grewal admitted he had serious financial problems. Holland, who is the chief government bad, has conveyed this information to senior Liberal officials, including members of the prime minister's office, the source said.

On Wednesday, Mr. Holland refused to discuss the details of his conversation with the member for Brampton East, citing the confidentiality of the exchanges.

However, the source who attended the meeting stated that it was understood that Mr. Grewal had accumulated a "seven-figure" debt and that he had a gambling problem, adding that it was unclear to whom money was due. The source was not allowed to speak publicly about the issue and the Globe and Mail gave anonymity to detail the internal discussions.

Earlier this week, three different sources told The Globe newspaper that Grewal had spent millions of dollars over the last three years, including the Lac-Leamy casino, across the river from Outaouais, from Parliament Hill. The sources added that the RCMP had been investigating the expenses for months and was trying to determine the source of the funds. The Globe has granted anonymity to these sources, who have direct knowledge of the RCMP investigation, to discuss confidential information that they are not allowed to disclose.

Mr. Grewal has not responded to requests for comments made by phone and email in recent days, including Wednesday's phone messages and texting.

At the home of Mr. Grewal's parents in Brampton, Ontario on Wednesday, Mr. Grewal's mother confirmed that he was living there and was receiving treatment. She said that he had the support of his family and his constituents.

"The family is with him, the community is with him," she said, adding that he was not there to comment.

Mr. Grewal has not yet officially resigned from his post, but Mr. Holland said Wednesday that the documents are being filed.

The Conservatives and the NDP accuse Mr. Grewal of misusing his position on the House of Commons Finance Committee earlier this year by questioning the RCMP and other agencies responsible for the House of Commons. enforcement of the law on techniques used in the fight against money laundering. The transcripts of the Committee's hearings show that Mr. Grewal was particularly interested in the role of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada (FINTRAC), which collects data on transactions over $ 10,000 in financial transactions. financial institutions and casinos.

"How much money does FINTRAC have to spend after every small transaction of $ 10,000? If I launder money, I will not make millions of transactions to attract attention. I'm doing it with the $ 10,000 limit, $ 15,000, "Grewal said on February 8.

On Wednesday, Conservative MP Alain Rayes called the situation "weird", adding that "everyone is wondering where [Mr. Grewal] got the money. "

NDP MP Nathan Cullen asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau if Grewal was removed from the finance committee and served on the health committee in September following the RCMP's investigation into his health and safety activities. Thu.

"He used his contacts with senior finance and money laundering reports to ask very disturbing questions," said Cullen. "Did the Prime Minister or one of his staff find these issues so disturbing that they were resolved?"

Mr. Trudeau denied knowing about Mr. Grewal's problems until last Wednesday.

"Last week, the member announced his intentions [of resigning] after informing us of the challenges he faces, "said Mr. Trudeau. We accepted the decision. "

The Federal Ethics Commissioner also opened an investigation against Grewal for bringing Yusuf Yenilmez, general manager of construction company Zgemi Inc., to an event during the Prime Minister's trip to India. Mr. Yenilmez's company also paid Mr. Grewal employment income when he was elected and co-debtor of a vehicle loan for the former MP.

At Zgemi's Brampton office on Wednesday night, a man who asked not to be named confirmed that Mr. Grewal had worked for the company, but declined to comment further.

A car registered with the company was parked in Mr. Grewal's family lane.