Latest news with #LeonardoRizzuto
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Time of India
Mafia prince turned lawyer Leonardo Rizzuto arrested in massive Quebec crime raid, bar suspends licence
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Barreau du Québec has provisionally suspended the law license of prominent lawyer Leonardo Rizzuto , effective July 2, following his arrest in a sweeping police operation targeting organized 56, was licensed in 1999 and practiced in Montreal and Laval. He is the youngest son of the late Vito Rizzuto, once Montreal's most powerful Mafia boss, and is believed to currently lead the infamous Rizzuto crime family About 150 officers from the Montreal Police (SPVM) and the Sûreté du Québec executed coordinated raids in cities across Quebec as part of "Project Alliance," a three-year investigation into organized crime. The operation led to 11 arrests of men aged 27–57 with alleged ties to the Italian Mafia, the Hells Angels, and street and six others were charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 killing of alleged Montreal Mafia member Lorenzo Lopresti . All 11 suspects are accused of involvement in multiple murders or attempted murders between 2011 and 2021, either as perpetrators or Article 122.0.1 of Quebec's Code of Professions, any lawyer charged with offenses carrying sentences of five years or more must face licence suspension to protect public trust. The Barreau's disciplinary council acted swiftly after Rizzuto was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. While the suspension is temporary, it bars him from practicing law or using the title "lawyer" during criminal carries a heavy name; his father, Vito 'Teflon Don' Rizzuto, once led Canada's most powerful Mafia network until he died in 2013. The Rizzuto lineage dates back to Nicolo Rizzuto, who in the 1970s seized Montreal's Sicilian Mafia leadership amid violent turf a press conference, SQ Chief Insp. Marc Charbonneau called the arrests a 'major blow… one of the most significant operations in recent decades'. Deputy director Benoit Dubé emphasized how the probe provided closure for victims' families:'Every act of violence … police joined together … to give some answers back to the families.'Retired detective André Gélinas described Rizzuto's arrest as symbolic, effectively decapitating the Rizzuto family's leadership.
CTV News
05-07-2025
- CTV News
Quebec bar suspends law licence of alleged Mafia leader Leonardo Rizzuto
MONTREAL — MONTREAL — Quebec's bar association has suspended the lawyer's licence of Leonardo Rizzuto, who was one of 11 people arrested last month in a police operation targeting organized crime. The Barreau du Québec announced this week that it had provisionally suspended Rizzuto's licence as of July 2. The 56-year-old is the son of the late crime boss Vito Rizzuto and the presumed head of one of Canada's most notorious crime families. He and six other men have been charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 killing of alleged Montreal Mafia member Lorenzo Lopresti. The joint police operation last month by Montreal and Quebec provincial police led to the arrest of 11 men between 27 and 57 years old, who police allege are associated with the Mafia, the Hells Angels and street gangs. The suspects allegedly participated in several murders and attempted murders between 2011 and 2021. The suspension said Rizzuto, who obtained his licence in 1999, had practised law in Montreal and Laval. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025.
Global News
05-07-2025
- Global News
Quebec bar suspends law licence of alleged Mafia leader Leonardo Rizzuto
Quebec's bar association has suspended the lawyer's licence of Leonardo Rizzuto, who was one of 11 people arrested last month in a police operation targeting organized crime. The Barreau du Québec announced this week that it had provisionally suspended Rizzuto's licence as of July 2. The 56-year-old is the son of the late crime boss Vito Rizzuto and the presumed head of one of Canada's most notorious crime families. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He and six other men have been charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 killing of alleged Montreal Mafia member Lorenzo Lopresti. The joint police operation last month by Montreal and Quebec provincial police led to the arrest of 11 men between 27 and 57 years old, who police allege are associated with the Mafia, the Hells Angels and street gangs. Story continues below advertisement The suspects allegedly participated in several murders and attempted murders between 2011 and 2021. The suspension said Rizzuto, who obtained his licence in 1999, had practised law in Montreal and Laval.
Toronto Sun
05-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Quebec bar suspends law licence of alleged Mafia leader Leonardo Rizzuto
Published Jul 05, 2025 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 1 minute read Leonardo Rizzuto arrives at the Montreal courthouse in 2019. Allen McInnis/Montreal Gazette MONTREAL — Quebec's bar association has suspended the lawyer's licence of Leonardo Rizzuto, who was one of 11 people arrested last month in a police operation targeting organized crime. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Barreau du Quebec announced this week that it had provisionally suspended Rizzuto's licence as of July 2. The 56-year-old is the son of the late crime boss Vito Rizzuto and the presumed head of one of Canada's most notorious crime families. He and six other men have been charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 killing of alleged Montreal Mafia member Lorenzo Lopresti. The joint police operation last month by Montreal and Quebec provincial police led to the arrest of 11 men between 27 and 57 years old, who police allege are associated with the Mafia, the Hells Angels and street gangs. The suspects allegedly participated in several murders and attempted murders between 2011 and 2021. The suspension said Rizzuto, who obtained his licence in 1999, had practised law in Montreal and Laval. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Crime Toronto Blue Jays Canada Other Sports Editorials
CTV News
04-07-2025
- CTV News
Alleged Montreal Mafia boss Leonardo Rizzuto no longer allowed to practice law
Leonardo Rizzuto, 56, arrested at his home in Laval, Que., as part of a series of police raids on organized crime members on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Source: Patrick Sanfaçon/La Presse) The alleged head of the Montreal Mafia, now behind bars on a murder charge, has had his lawyer's licence suspended. Leonardo Rizzuto, 56, the youngest son of the late reputed Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto, was arrested along with 10 other suspects in a massive Montreal police operation on June 12 targeting organized crime groups in Quebec. He was charged with first-degree murder in the 2011 death of Lorenzo Lopresti and conspiracy to commit murder against several other men between 2011 and 2019. In a statement issued Wednesday, the Bar of Quebec (Barreau du Québec) said its disciplinary council has ordered the immediate provisional suspension of Rizzuto's right to practice law and the right to use the title reserved for members of the bar. 'Depending on the outcome of the criminal case, the Bar will provide updates on developments relating to his right to practice,' the statement reads. Records show that Rizzuto obtained his licence to practice law in Quebec in 1999. Following his arrest at his home in Laval, he remains in jail as the criminal proceedings continue. The raids in June resulted in the arrests of several people with alleged ties to the Italian Mafia, Hells Angels, and criminal street gangs who are accused of being involved in several murders in Montreal and around Quebec over a decade. Rizzuto survived an assassination attempt in 2023, when his Mercedes was shot at while he was driving on a Laval highway.
