A former Williams Lake resident appeared at his sentencing hearing for money laundering on Thursday, Sept. 8 in Surrey Provincial Court.
The court heard how Robinderpal Rathor, 33 — the owner of a Langley currency exchange and a former corrections officer with no criminal record — was caught in an RCMP sting.
Over a six-month period from April 16 to May 26, Rathor exchanged $560,000 U.S. in four transactions for two men he believed were drug dealers.
They were actually an undercover RCMP sergeant and corporal.
The two currency exchanges run by Rathor were raided on May 26, 2008.
At the time, the RCMP said officers were acting on a tip. Prosecutor Charles Hough wants a sentence of two years less a day. Defence lawyer Richard Peck wants house arrest.
“There are times when a person deserves a second chance,” Peck said. “This man is such a person.”
Rathor offered his “sincerest apologies” to his family, friends and colleagues in the corrections service and said he hopes to be a better example to his young son.
“I’m trying to make up for my mistakes,” he said, mistakes he will “never, ever repeat.”
Judge Peder Gulbransen is scheduled to deliver his verdict on Oct. 5.
The prosecutor stayed related criminal charges against Taranjit Rathor, the younger cousin of Robinderpal and a partner in the Langley currency exchanges.
— With files from Dan Ferguson