Havana Group Supplies leader arrested, jailed

The leader of Havana Group Supplies Inc. has been arrested and jailed by Niagara Regional police for failing to attend a court appearance.

Steve Sardinha was being held Friday for a bail hearing after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest when he didn't show up for a court appearance in August in St. Catharines.

Sardinha is facing a number of charges including uttering threats, theft, possession of stolen property and mischief in connection with an alleged fraud and theft of construction equipment from a West Lincoln business that was a precursor to the Havana Group Supplies company.

Havana Group Supplies is a construction-related company that was the subject of an extensive Spectator investigation last year for its questionable business practices.

The investigation showed Havana Group Supplies, Sardinha and his associates, which included the late Pat Musitano, suggested they had received construction-related contracts from Metrolinx, CN Rail and three casinos worth $110 million per month.

Metrolinx, CN Rail and the three casinos indicated to The Spectator they had not awarded any such contracts to Havana Group Supplies, related companies or their principals.

Havana Group Supplies was also connected to a rural Flamborough property that was alleged to be a dumping spot for contaminated soil.

The property on Highway 5, west of Peters Corners, which operated as Waterdown Garden Supplies Ltd., allegedly accepted more than 24,000 truckloads of soil in 2018 and part of 2019.

Steve Buist is a Hamilton-based investigative reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbuist@thespec.com