A prominent Canadian businessman and co-founder of Canada’s largest golf club operator has been charged with eight business associates in connection with an alleged criminal organization that defrauded businesses, banks and investors of more than $30 million.In November 2014, York Regional Police launched an investigation into John Simmonds, 66, of King City, Ont., and A.C. Simmonds and Sons Inc., of which he is the chairman and CEO. Story continues below
Police and the Ontario Securities Commission said they received several complaints from people who claimed to have been defrauded by Simmonds and his co-accused.In early 2014, investigators determined the company BLVD Holdings was one of 80 shell companies registered by A.C. Simmonds and Sons Inc. and had begun the process of acquiring a food shipping company in York Region.READ MORE: Former MaRS director Allen Gelberg charged with fraud of nearly $1MA press release from March 2014 showed BLVD Holdings acquired …