Lino Saputo en entrevue au Canal Argent

Formally, I have never met Mr. Turisci, I have never done business with Mr. Turisci, I have never done business with Mr. Rizzuto. I have never done anything that wasn't correct to do. I have worked my whole life, for 55 years, day and night, to build a reputation, build a company, build something. In 2007 they tried to destroy my reputation. That hurts me deeply.

Absolutely not. Because three weeks ago, when the name came out in an Italian magazine, L'Espresso in Rome, I conducted an internal investigation within my company and within my family to see if anyone had met or spoken to a certain Turisi who wanted to sell the company Med in Italy. No one in my circle had contact with that person. Personally, I don't know him, I don't know who that person is.

Only last night did I learn that a company was registered in Palm Beach, Florida, an S Corporation. But you know, Saputo is a common family name. Someone could use that name without my knowledge. So we can't respond to things we don't know. I only found out yesterday.

It's a wiretap without his knowledge, it's something I can't explain. I don't know who said it, when he said it, how he said it, in what context he said it. Did he invent it knowing Mr. Saputo? He needs to be asked that question. But definitely, I will get to the bottom of this story because I don't leave things this way. We will go to the bottom because it touches my reputation. It's been 55 years as I said I work day and night, and it hurts me to see my name dragged through things I have absolutely nothing to do with.

Never, never. I find it strange that even our Canadian police never once asked to see me or talk to me about anything. So the Canadian police nor the American police, nobody, no investigation. Yet I am a very available person. So if anyone wants to talk to me here or call me, I will answer anything. I even invite the Canadian police to come see me if there are things to clarify with me.

You know, at some point I thought the 80s, 70s, 60s were past, but I see that as we succeed, we are guilty of our success. It hurts me. I have worked my whole life to build what we have built today. Look at those who work with me, see how I act, what I have done my whole life.

I have met him a few times but never socialized with him. In what occasions? In some receptions, very rarely, maybe once in my entire life I met Mr. Rizzuto at parties.

I have never had any demands. I don't know what you are referring to. I have never had demands from the Mafia to do things I would never want to do. So no, I have never had any demands that I have passed on. No, I don't know what you are referring to.

No, I have never been intimidated by anyone. I have always worked honestly as I told you to build what we are today. Today I am really hurt to see my name being used unjustly. I am asking the police to do their job as soon as possible. If they need to talk to me, come see me, I am ready to answer any question.

Yes, when we learned that there was an appearance in L'Espresso in Italy, we hired a firm of Italian lawyers to handle the matter, and there are procedures underway.

It's sure that it's a bomb that exploded this morning. The board members will not be happy, but they know Lino Saputo, they know the company, and I am convinced they are comfortable. Listen, nothing can happen in a public company without going through the board of directors. Here there was never any request, any mention, any investment in Made in Italy. So they will be hurt and shocked to see what is happening this morning.

I can assure you 100% that I am innocent. They used my name for their purposes. It hurts me a lot, but you will see that my name will be cleared because I will get to the bottom of this story. It won't remain certain.