Mar 10 2008
Saputo sues newspapers over Mafia allegations
MONTREAL - Cheese maker Saputo Inc. has filed defamation suits against three Canadian media groups over allegations that former CEO Lino Saputo had links to money-laundering scheme run by the Italian Mafia.
Saputo filed lawsuits Monday against Gesca Ltd., which owns the La Presse and Le Soleil daily newspapers, along with Le Journal de Montreal parent company, Sun Media. A lawsuit was also filed against Globe and Mail owner CTV Globemedia Publishing Inc., over articles that were published on Dec. 12 and 13, 2007, a company spokesperson said.
“The newspaper articles contained false allegations about Mr. Lino Saputo and Saputo Inc. and we will not tolerate the dissemination of false and misleading information which is harmful to our name, reputation and business interests,” said company CEO Lino Saputo Jr. in a statement.
Montreal-based Saputo has already started a defamation suit against the Italian weekly L’Espresso and its journalists regarding articles published on Nov 22, 2007.
Contrary to published allegations, Lino Saputo is not and has never been under investigation by the Italian police, and has never had links to the Italian Mafia, the company said in a statement.
Saputo sues newspapers over Mafia allegations - Canwest News Service - Published: Monday, March 10, 2008 - Montreal Gazette - http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=6812ff60-3d23-4d3f-a869-7c073cf505dc&k=35914
