Frank Suppanz, jeweller and self-proclaimed member of the HAMC has lost his appeal to overturn $66,000 in penalties for violations of Canada’s anti-money laundering laws. In 2023, Fintrac spanked Austin Jewellers with two $33,000 penalties for violations of the federal Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. Austin Jewellers’ owner Frank Suppanz claimed the Hells Angels was “a motorcycle club not a criminal organization.” He confirmed he was a member of the group, making and repairing jewelry for other members for 18 years as a “community-based jewelry repair shop.” His lawyer Jordan Allington said the case shows Fintrac is punishing small “mom and pop” businesses.
Suppanz had told the director of Fintrac that he had a 100-page procedure manual but couldn’t find it. In 2019 he provided a three-page document to Fintrac that failed to show his business was complying with the law. Suppanz described the penalties as “harsh and extreme”, suggesting $500 was more appropriate. The storefront operation closed in 2021, but the business continued online through a website and Facebook page. ‘Frank the Jeweller’ Suppanz didn’t help his cause.
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“You will not break me,” an October 2024 Facebook post states. “The money laundering that goes on in your casinos is crazy. I don’t have some paperwork. And you fine me to the point of destroying Austin Jewellers is crazy.” |
The judge wrote that Suppanz’s submissions that he had bookmarked Canada’s anti-money laundering laws on his computer browser “did not constitute compliance.” The biker had made “no improvement” in compliance and risk assessment policies and procedures after getting fingered by Fintrac. “The director’s reasons were clear that the violations were serious,” The judge dismissed the appeal and ordered Suppanz to pay $2,000 in legal fees.
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