A Laval police officer who was decorated for her bravery during a monster pileup was recently fired for questionable ties with a major mafia player.
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Valérie Laverdure was suspended immediately, in October 2023, as soon as suspicions against her were raised.
According to our sources, the investigation by the Professional Standards Division revealed that Mme Laverdure had inappropriate contact with Giuseppe Focarazzo.
MAXIME DELAND/AGENCE QMI
The behavior that cost the police officer her job would be linked to the $990,000 purchase of the mafioso’s residence in 2020 in Mascouche by Mme Laverdure and her partner at the time, we learned.
It should be noted that this same house on Place de la Charente was raided in 2011, during a police strike aimed at dismantling cells of drug suppliers linked to the Hells Angels.
The police arrived at this residence on Place de la Charente, in Mascouche, in 2011.
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Focarazzo has already been designated as the one who would manage the mafia sports betting territory in Laval, according to our information.
Our Bureau of Investigation also reported in 2019 that Focarazzo was the head of a small group of mafiosi well connected to the Hells Angels.
Without specifying the reasons for the dismissal, the Laval Police Department confirmed to Journal that a “disciplinary committee was convened and recommended the dismissal of Ms. Laverdure. This recommendation was ratified by the City’s executive committee on July 17, 2024.”
Mme Laverdure is currently contesting his dismissal. The Laval Police Brotherhood declined to comment “given the ongoing procedures.”
Fatal pileup
This is a troubling outcome for the career of the police officer, who had been honored in the past by the Ministry of Public Security alongside 13 other colleagues.
The authorities highlighted the composure and courage they had shown on August 5, 2019.
Jagmeet Grewal, the driver of a semi-trailer, was traveling at full speed when he caused a violent pileup on Highway 440, near the 15 ramp.
Four people died and around fifteen others were injured. Grewal has since been convicted of criminal negligence.
Valérie Laverdure received the Cross of Bravery from the Ministry of Public Security, the highest decoration awarded to a police officer, for having acted at the risk of her life on August 5, 2019, during the monster pileup.
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As soon as she arrived on the scene, Valérie Laverdure rushed to the damaged vehicles and provided assistance to a woman trapped in her crushed car.
It was the most important event during which she had to intervene in her 16-year career, the agent testified.
Not the first
Remember that another Laval police officer, Marilyne Dupuis, also resigned last February, this time because her partner was caught in an anti-drug raid.
In September, Alex Lacasse, a trafficker, headed to jail for 45 months.
During his arrest in November 2022, his union with the police officer was revealed, creating a shock wave among his colleagues.
“Someone who has bad company or inappropriate contact with people in organized crime constitutes a risk for the organization and for the police officers around them,” comments André Gélinas, a former police officer specializing in organized crime. .
– With the collaboration of Nicolas Brasseur, Investigation Office
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