Capitalisms: Fortress - Feature Documentary
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UPDATE
On June 21st, 2022, Jawad Rathore & Vince Petrozza, featured as the architects behind Fortress Real Developments Inc. in this trailer, were charged by the RCMP for fraud and secret commissions. Their first court appearance is set for August 3rd, 2022.
This development, outside of giving the folks who have lost so much some measure of hope there will be justice, means this documentary project is now on overdrive. Thank you to all our supporters for your enduring support.
Documentary Overview
Capitalisms Fortress follows the stories of victims and whistleblowers fighting to get justice for losses on a colossal scale, which took place between 2011 to 2018. Their stories highlight the human damage created by “regulatory gaps” (outlined by the Ontario Auditor General and later an Ontario government panel) in FSCO (Financial Services Commission of Ontario), the OSC (Ontario Securities Commission) and the LSC (Law Society of Ontario). Was it regulatory gaps, or was it a cover-up that allowed 14,000 Canadian investors to lose an estimated 912 million dollars to inflated, hyper-complex and slickly marketed syndicated mortgage investments (SMIs)? Investors, many of whom lost their entire life savings, claim they were defrauded through obfuscation and deception by a cabal of crooked mortgage brokers, lawyers, and businesspeople. A whistleblower inside FSCO discusses watching fraud in real-time but being hamstrung by intimidation inside and outside the regulator. In 2018 Fortress Real Developments Inc. was raided by the RCMP, putting an end to years of alleged greed, deception, and dirty tricks. In June 2022, the two men running it were finally charged.
Why This Documentary
Capitalism is a powerful engine for prosperity, but like any engine, it needs to be monitored and regulated to ensure it runs sustainably. Since capitalism is the economic system in which we live and democracy is the political system in which we decide, the only way to monitor and maintain that engine is to spotlight its excesses so that everyone can see and feel the pain for themselves. This documentary aims to do that.
Our Goal
Our research shows that many victims have not even told their family members about their losses. Of the 14,000 estimated victims of these Fortress deals, only one support group is active, with only 600 members. Of those 600 members, only a few would agree to be part of this series. Our goal is to let the public know there is no shame in being defrauded as regulators were asleep at the wheel, hamstrung by loopholes in legislation or law or outwitted by highly sophisticated processes meant to make prosecutions all but impossible. If we can build enough public awareness and sympathy for the people who have been hurt, we may be able to get politicians to listen, get laws changed, and people compensated. In short, we want to help create public outrage so that these victims can get justice and maybe even get their fucking their money back.
Thank you for your consideration and any help you can provide.
If you want to become an Executive Producer or have information you'd like to share, please contact us.
Organizer
Bryan Bakker
Organizer
London, ON