Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is working on
the case, together with attorneys from the United States Department of
Justice’s Public Integrity Section, stated that between 2010 and 2015, Pigeon
was working, among other things, as a political consultant and lobbyist and ran
various companies that were engaged in such consulting and lobbying activities.
One of Pigeon’s clients was an online gaming company based in Montreal, Canada
that was founded and operated by a Canadian national. Between 2010 and 2015,
that Canadian company paid approximately $388,000 to Pigeon and his companies,
for among other things, lobbying efforts aimed at the legalization of internet
gambling.
According to the complaint, between January 31, 2014, and
February 25, 2014, the defendant orchestrated a $25,000 donation from the
founder and CEO of the Canadian online gambling company to the reelection
campaign of a public official. After the donation was twice rejected, the
campaign contribution was ultimately funneled through an individual from
Florida.
The defendant made an initial appearance this morning before
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on bond.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge
Adam S. Cohen, and the New York State Attorney General’s office, under the
direction of Eric T. Schneiderman.
