Handcuffed and shackled, alleged Montreal mob boss Leonardo Rizzuto in court Tuesday
Posted September 9, 2025 12:55 pm.
Last Updated September 9, 2025 4:57 pm.
Legal proceedings were underway Tuesday morning for the cases involving Leonardo Rizzuto, the alleged head of the Italian mafia in Montreal, and 10 others.
Police say the suspects have alleged links to traditional Italian organized crime, the Hells Angels or street gangs. They face charges related to several alleged violent crimes.
Shortly after their arrests on June 12, all 11 suspects pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder or conspiracy to commit murder for alleged murders and alleged attempted murders between 2011 and 2021.
On Tuesday morning, the cases entered a “management phase” in a Montreal courtroom to set dates for future hearings.
The judge also clarified the content of the case management and pre-trial proceedings are under a publication ban that includes the documents filed and the discussions in court.
Rizzuto, who was wearing a dark-coloured sweater, and eight other suspects were present in court, each one handcuffed and their feet shackled within a secured area in the room. Two other suspects were present by videoconference.
The charges came after 150 police officers were involved in the arrest of Rizzuto and the others accused in several cities across Quebec. It was part of a joint investigation between Montreal and provincial police called Project Alliance.
Pietro Poletti, a retired lieutenant detective for the Montreal police (SPVM), suggests that a police informant could play a key role during the court cases.
“The police recruited a police informant a few years back,” explained Poletti, “who has decided to collaborate with the authorities on over 60 homicides or murders and conspiracies to commit murder.”
The cases involving the 11 accused will return to court on Oct. 15 for more case management.
