Italian authorities are seeking the extradition of a Vaughan, Ont., man who was convicted of Mafia-related charges in absentia and sentenced to six years in prison. Carlo Bruzzese, 41, was arrested on April 22 in Woodbridge. A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service says that he was taken into custody by members of the Fugitive Squad “on the strength of an arrest warrant issued under the Canadian Extradition Act.” Bruzzese “is sought by Italy to serve a six-year prison sentence for the offence of taking part in a mafia-type association called the ‘Ndrangheta,’” according to a spokesperson for Canada’s Department of Justice. He is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto on Aug. 5. A lawyer for Bruzzese tells CP24 that his client plans to contest the extradition. “What I can confirm is that I am retained and that we will be vigorously contesting whether or not there is any basis for our client to be committed for the purpose of extradition to Italy,” Michael Lacy said. Bruzzese’s father Carmelo was deported from Canada in 2015 after the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada ruled that he was “fully integrated into the ‘Ndrangheta,’ having gained recognition and prominence in the group and occupying a rather influential or responsible place therein.” Court documents related to that proceeding noted that Carlo Bruzzese was previously charged with Mafia-association under the Italian penal code for “being part of the Grotteria Locale of the ‘Ndrangheta.’” “He was considered to be an active participant in the locale, responsible for ensuring communication between the members, participating in meetings, carrying out the organization’s directives, and respecting the hierarchy in place,” the tribunal said at the time. A spokesperson for the Italian government would not say why extradition proceedings are being undertaken now and told CP24 that it does “not have any comments at this stage.” With files from CTV News/CP24’s Jermaine Wilson
