Elaborate web of 'prolific fraudster'

How man killed in triple shooting became mired in legal action

- JENNIFER PAGLIARO, CALVI LEON, EMILY FAGAN AND WENDY GILLIS

Before being killed in last week's triple shooting, Arash Missaghi had been embroiled in a web of civil and criminal legal action, including a recent lawsuit involving Alan Kats, who blamed Missaghi for allegedly defrauding him and his wife of their home and savings through an investment scam.

It was the middle of the pandemic, and the dizzyingly complex criminal case against Arash Missaghi was falling apart.

A looming trial was about to test the most substantial set of charges Missaghi — a man who would become known as a “prolific fraudster” — had ever faced. But in the midst of the pandemic, as courts struggled to hear proceedings on Zoom, the case was collapsing in a virtual Ontario courtroom.

Ten weeks out from a jury trial, Justice John McMahon heard reservations from Crown attorney Mitchell Flagg about several of the accused, including Missaghi, having yet to retain a lawyer, and the prospect of running a trial with several self-represented people, including one who would need the entire hearing translated into Farsi.

Missaghi stood charged in what police called a “sophisticated and complex mortgage fraud investigation” with fraud exceeding $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and being an accessory after the fact to an indictable offence.

“I’m sort of running out of patience, gentleman,” the judge told Missaghi and the other accused, threatening to move forward, while warning them about the serious consequences if they were found guilty.

“One way or another, your trial is going on.”

It didn’t. Ten days later, the Crown would withdraw all charges with little explanation.