Fraud, theft and money laundering by OPP union's top brass

Police corruption is a form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest. One common form of police corruption is soliciting or accepting bribes in exchange for not reporting organized drug or prostitution rings or other illegal activities. Another example is police officers flouting the police code of conduct in order to secure convictions of suspects — for example, through the use of falsified evidence.

Fraud, theft and money laundering by OPP union's top brass

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:07 am

RCMP search OPP union offices

OPP Association president and vice-president both take voluntary leaves of absence

The RCMP has searched offices of the top Ontario Provincial Police union leaders as part of a criminal investigation, prompting the senior officials to step aside.

Ontario Provincial Police Association president Jim Christie and vice-president Martin Bain have taken voluntary leaves of absence following the RCMP search of their offices in Barrie on Friday, the union said in a statement Monday.

The union's chief administrative officer, whose office was also searched by the RCMP, has been placed on administrative leave.


RCMP Const. Jean Juneau said there is an open investigation into "individuals associated to the Ontario Provincial Police Association," but he would not confirm which individuals or the nature of the investigation.

"We received a complaint and to validate or to explore the information received on that complaint we needed to do search warrants," he said. "I can tell you there are absolutely no charges pending right now."

The investigation is in its preliminary stages, Juneau said. The RCMP went to Ontario Superior Court to obtain search warrants, but those documents have been sealed, he said.

The Ontario Provincial Police Association said in a statement it has fully co-operated with the criminal investigation by handing over items identified in the search warrant.

"The RCMP is conducting a criminal investigation and believed that evidence to support its investigation could be found in the OPP Association head office as well as the offices of president Christie, vice-president Bain and CAO (Karl) Walsh," it said.

"The association is in the process of obtaining specialized independent legal advice with respect to this matter."

Association directors Doug Lewis and Todd Provost are now the acting president and vice-president. Michael Briscoe becomes the acting chief administrative officer.

The provincial police began bargaining with Ontario last month, but the police association would not say what effect the leaves of absence would have on the negotiation process.

A spokeswoman for Treasury Board president Deb Matthews said the government has not received a request from the OPPA to delay bargaining.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/r ... -1.2988082
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OPP union officials step aside in wake of RCMP raid

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:09 am

An RCMP raid on the association representing Ontario Provincial Police officers has led to three senior union officials voluntarily stepping aside.

Three senior Ontario Provincial Police union officials — one a former Liberal candidate — have stepped aside in the wake of an RCMP criminal probe.

The dramatic move Monday followed a raid Friday by the Mounties who swooped in to the OPP Association headquarters in Barrie armed with a search warrant.

Sources close to the association told the Star that RCMP investigators are examining financial matters at the police union.

RCMP Const. Jean Juneau said the search warrant has been ordered sealed by an Ontario Superior Court judge.

That means details of evidence sought by the Mounties cannot yet be made public.

But Juneau emphasized “no charges are imminent” in an investigation that began only recently.

He would not comment further on the warrant, saying officers were searching for “evidence that could help in our investigation.”

“We’ll see later on if charges are deemed necessary.”

Association president Jim Christie, vice-president Martin Bain, and chief administrative officer Karl Walsh “have taken voluntary leaves of absence,” the union said in a statement.

Walsh, who was the provincial Liberal candidate in Barrie during the 2011 election, has been placed on administrative leave by the OPPA’s board of directors.

“The RCMP is conducting a criminal investigation and believed that evidence to support its investigation could be found in the OPP Association Head Office as well as the offices of president Christie, vice president Bain and CAO Walsh,” the OPPA said.

On his LinkedIn profile, Walsh also identifies himself as a director of the Ontario Pension Board, which administers the $18-billion Public Service Pension Plan sponsored by the Ontario government.

He also served as president of the OPPA from October 2005 to March 2011, when he became the association’s chief administrative officer, responsible for its then $70-million budget.

Christie made headlines in last June’s provincial election when he had the union actively campaign against then Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak.

“For the first time in the 60-year history of the OPPA, Tim Hudak has given us no choice but to engage in a publicity campaign during an election,” Christie said at the time.

The union released two videos attacking the Tories for wanting to cancel OPP contracts, reduce pay, and cut pension plans for new recruits.

Their activism was helpful to Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals in the June 12 election, though Christie played down that aspect of the OPPA’s politicking.

“These ads do not serve as an endorsement for the Liberals or the NDP. This also does not mean that we don’t respect and work well with many in the Conservative caucus. We just don’t want this Conservative as premier.”

In the wake of the RCMP warrant, the OPPA said it is “in the process of obtaining specialized independent legal advice with respect to this matter” and will not be commenting further.

“The association has fully co-operated with the RCMP investigation by providing them with the items identified in their search warrant,” the union said in its statement.

“These actions should not be considered admissions or implications of wrongdoing or liability by anyone or by the association. The association has no knowledge of any charges being laid against any persons at this time.”

There are about 6,200 uniformed and 3,600 civilian members of the OPPA, which is currently in contract talks with the provincial government.

With the temporary departure of Christie, Bain, and Walsh — who did not immediately respond to emails from the Star — Doug Lewis will act as president, Todd Provost will serve as acting vice-president, and Michael Briscoe will step as CAO.

http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/ ... -raid.html
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Statement from OPP Association

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:11 am

BARRIE, ON, March 9, 2015 /CNW/ - On Friday, March 6, 2015, RCMP officers executed a search warrant at the Head Office of the OPP Association in Barrie, Ontario. The RCMP is conducting a criminal investigation and believed that evidence to support its investigation could be found in the OPP Association Head Office as well as the offices of President Christie, Vice President Bain and CAO Walsh.

The Association has fully cooperated with the RCMP investigation by providing them with the items identified in their search warrant.

In the best interests of the Association and its membership, effective immediately, President Christie and Vice-President Bain have taken voluntary leaves of absence from the OPP Association. In addition, CAO Walsh has been placed on administrative leave by the Board of Directors. These actions should not be considered admissions or implications of wrongdoing or liability by anyone or by the Association. The Association has no knowledge of any charges being laid against any persons at this time.

All the lawful authority of the Association is now with Acting President Lewis, Acting Vice-President Provost, the Board of Directors and Acting CAO Briscoe. These steps will ensure that the day-to-day operations of the OPP Association continue.

Acting President Lewis and the Board of Directors would like to thank the Staff of the Association for their dedication during this difficult time. They wish to reassure members of the Association that the high level of professional service they have received in the past will continue.

The Association is in the process of obtaining specialized independent legal advice with respect to this matter.

As this investigation is ongoing, the OPP Association will not be commenting further at this time.

SOURCE Ontario Provincial Police Association

For further information: Josh Jutras, Strategic Communications Coordinator, OPP Association, 800-461-4282, jjutras@oppa.ca

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1498933 ... ssociation
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OPP union officials step aside after RCMP raid

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:16 am

An RCMP raid on the association representing Ontario Provincial Police officers has led to three senior union officials voluntarily stepping aside.

An RCMP raid on the association representing Ontario Provincial Police officers has led to three senior union officials voluntarily stepping aside.

The Mounties swept into the OPP Association headquarters in Barrie on Friday as a part of criminal probe.

Sources told the Star that RCMP investigators are examining financial matters at the police union.

Association president Jim Christie, vice-president Martin Bain, and chief administrative officer Karl Walsh "have taken voluntary leaves of absence," the union said in a statement.

Walsh, who was the provincial Liberal candidate in Barrie during the 2011 election, has been placed on administrative leave by the OPPA's board of directors.

"The RCMP is conducting a criminal investigation and believed that evidence to support its investigation could be found in the OPP Association Head Office as well as the offices of President Christie, Vice President Bain and CAO Walsh," the OPPA said.

On his LinkedIn profile, Walsh also identifies himself as a director of the Ontario Pension Board, which administers the $18 billion Public Service Pension Plan sponsored by the Ontario government.

Walsh also served as president of the OPPA from October 2005 to March 2011, when he became the association's chief administrative officer, responsible for its then $70 million budget.

"The association has fully cooperated with the RCMP investigation by providing them with the items identified in their search warrant," the union's statement continued.

"These actions should not be considered admissions or implications of wrongdoing or liability by anyone or by the association. The association has no knowledge of any charges being laid against any persons at this time."

The union said it is "in the process of obtaining specialized independent legal advice with respect to this matter" and will not be commenting further.

There are about 6,200 uniformed and 3,600 civilian members of the OPPA, which is currently in contract talks with the provincial government.

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RCMP search OPP union offices in criminal investigation

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:17 am

The RCMP has searched offices of the top Ontario Provincial Police union leaders as part of a criminal investigation, prompting the senior officials to step aside.

Ontario Provincial Police Association president Jim Christie and vice-president Martin Bain have taken voluntary leaves of absence following the RCMP search of their offices in Barrie on Friday, the union said in a statement Monday.

The union’s chief administrative officer, whose office was also searched by the RCMP, has been placed on administrative leave.

RCMP Constable Jean Juneau said there is an open investigation into “individuals associated to the Ontario Provincial Police Association,” but he would not confirm which individuals or the nature of the investigation.

“We received a complaint and to validate or to explore the information received on that complaint we needed to do search warrants,” he said. “I can tell you there are absolutely no charges pending right now.”

The investigation is in its preliminary stages, Juneau said. The RCMP went to Ontario Superior Court to obtain search warrants, but those documents have been sealed, he said.

The Ontario Provincial Police Association said in a statement it has fully co-operated with the criminal investigation by handing over items identified in the search warrant.

“The RCMP is conducting a criminal investigation and believed that evidence to support its investigation could be found in the OPP Association head office as well as the offices of president Christie, vice-president Bain and CAO (Karl) Walsh,” it said.

“The association is in the process of obtaining specialized independent legal advice with respect to this matter.”

Association directors Doug Lewis and Todd Provost are now the acting president and vice-president. Michael Briscoe becomes the acting chief administrative officer.

The provincial police began bargaining with Ontario last month, but the police association would not say what effect the leaves of absence would have on the negotiation process.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... e23368986/
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OPP Senior Officials Take Leave As RCMP Investigation Heats

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:20 am

TORONTO - The RCMP has searched offices of the top Ontario Provincial Police union leaders as part of a criminal investigation, prompting the senior officials to step aside.

Ontario Provincial Police Association president Jim Christie and vice-president Martin Bain have taken voluntary leaves of absence following the RCMP search of their offices in Barrie on Friday, the union said in a statement Monday.

The union's chief administrative officer, whose office was also searched by the RCMP, has been placed on administrative leave.

RCMP Const. Jean Juneau said there is an open investigation into "individuals associated to the Ontario Provincial Police Association," but he would not confirm which individuals or the nature of the investigation.

"We received a complaint and to validate or to explore the information received on that complaint we needed to do search warrants," he said. "I can tell you there are absolutely no charges pending right now."

The investigation is in its preliminary stages, Juneau said. The RCMP went to Ontario Superior Court to obtain search warrants, but those documents have been sealed, he said.

The Ontario Provincial Police Association said in a statement it has fully co-operated with the criminal investigation by handing over items identified in the search warrant.

"The RCMP is conducting a criminal investigation and believed that evidence to support its investigation could be found in the OPP Association head office as well as the offices of president Christie, vice-president Bain and CAO (Karl) Walsh," it said.

"The association is in the process of obtaining specialized independent legal advice with respect to this matter."

Association directors Doug Lewis and Todd Provost are now the acting president and vice-president. Michael Briscoe becomes the acting chief administrative officer.

The provincial police began bargaining with Ontario last month, but the police association would not say what effect the leaves of absence would have on the negotiation process.

A spokeswoman for Treasury Board president Deb Matthews said the government has not received a request from the OPPA to delay bargaining.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/03/09 ... 34642.html
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RCMP searches offices of OPP union

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:21 am

RCMP searches offices of OPP union, three senior members take leave

TORONTO – Three senior members of the union representing Ontario Provincial Police officers have taken voluntary leave of absences days after the RCMP searched their offices as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, according to a statement from the union.

Global News has learned that the offices of OPPA president Jim Christie, vice-president Martin Bain, and chief administrative officer Karl Walsh were the subject of the RCMP search warrant on Friday. Walsh has also been placed on administrative leave by the union’s board of directors.

The OPPA says it is cooperating with the investigation by handing over items named in the warrant.

No charges have been laid.

“These actions should not be considered admissions or implications of wrongdoing or liability by anyone or by the Association,” the OPPA said in a statement. “The Association has no knowledge of any charges being laid against any persons at this time.”

The RCMP confirmed there is an active investigation but wouldn’t say what type.

Director Doug Lewis has been named acting president, and director Todd Provost has been named acting vice-president.

More to come.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1872266/rcmp- ... ake-leave/
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RCMP search head office of OPP Association

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:35 am

RCMP search head office of OPP Association as part of criminal investigation

RCMP have raided the offices of the Ontario Provincial Police Association as part of a criminal investigation.

Mounties seized items for their investigation when they executed several search warrants on Friday at the head office of the OPPA — the union which represents rank-and-file OPP officers — in Barrie.

“The RCMP is investigating the OPP Association, but the search warrant is sealed and we aren’t revealing its contents,” RCMP spokesman Const. Jean Juneau said Monday.

“We are in the very early stages and there are no charges pending.”

The search warrant also included the offices of OPPA president Jim Christie, vice-president Martin Bain and chief administrative officer Karl Walsh.

Christie and Bain have taken a voluntary leave of absence. Walsh has been placed on an administrative leave by the association’s board of directors.

“These actions should not be considered admissions or implications of wrong doing or liability by anyone or by the association. The association has no knowledge of any charges being laid against any person at this time,” an OPPA release said.

“The association has fully cooperated with the RCMP investigation by providing them with the items identified in their search warrant.”​

OPPA spokesman Josh Jutras said the organization is obtaining legal advice on the matter.

Lauren Callighen​, a spokesman for Community Safety Minister Yasir Naqvi, said the investigation is an “active police matter” so the ministry will not comment.

“The OPP and the OPP Association operate entirely independently,” she said.

Once the news broke, Tory MPP Lisa MacLeod tweeted, “That would be the same OPPA that ran attack ads for (Premier Kathleen) Wynne’s Liberals in June. Meanwhile there are 4 investigations into her government.​“

The OPPA spent $41,570, out of $200,000 in available funds, to advertise in last June’s provincial election, according to filings with Elections Ontario.

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RCMP searches offices of OPP association

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:37 am

RCMP searches offices of OPP association as part of probe into alleged criminal misconduct

The Mounties are investigating allegations of criminal misconduct involving senior people connected to the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA), the body that represents 9,000 employees.

As a result of a complaint, 13 search warrants were executed Friday at multiple locations, including at the police union’s head office in Barrie and at people’s homes, Const. Jean Juneau, a spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said Monday. He declined to describe the nature of the allegations.

However, CTV Barrie was reporting that sources said the investigation relates to allegations of theft, fraud, criminal breach of trust, laundering proceeds of crime and fraudulent concealment.

The association has fully cooperated with the RCMP investigation by providing them with the items identified in their search warrant

Const. Juneau said there have been no arrests or charges. All court records related to the case are under seal.

“The investigation is in the early stages,” he said. “We want to validate any allegation that is brought to us as a complaint.”

The association confirmed its headquarters had been searched, as well as the offices of Jim Christie, the president, Martin Bain, the vice-president, and Karl Walsh, the chief administrative officer.

“The RCMP is conducting a criminal investigation and believed that evidence to support its investigation could be found in the OPP Association Head Office as well as the offices of President Christie, Vice-President Bain and CAO Walsh,” the association said in a statement.

It added it is co-operating with the RCMP and has given investigators items listed in the search warrant.

Mr. Christie and Mr. Bain, both OPP officers, have taken voluntary leaves of absence. The board of directors has placed Mr. Walsh on administrative leave.

“These actions should not be considered admissions or implications of wrongdoing or liability by anyone or by the association,” the OPPA statement said, adding it is obtaining specialized independent legal advice.

The police association made headlines in June when it attacked Tim Hudak, then-leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives.

For the first time in its 60-year history, it launched two 15-second political ads, urging people not to vote for him in the provincial election.

“His positions on arbitration, public-sector pensions and further wage freezes, among other issues, are unacceptable to our members who put their lives on the line for their communities every day,” Mr. Christie said at the time.

“Let me be clear. These ads do not serve as an endorsement for the Liberals or the [New Democratic Party]. This also does not mean that we don’t respect and work well with many in the Conservative caucus. We just don’t want this Conservative as premier.”

Mr. Hudak stepped down as party leader after Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals won a majority victory.

OPP Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod said the agency was notified of the investigation Monday and could not comment on the case or the status of Messrs. Christie and Bain.

Mr. Walsh was a provincial Liberal candidate in Barrie during the 2011 election.

Doug Lewis is now the association’s acting president.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/03/09 ... isconduct/
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RCMP search OPP union office in Barrie

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:45 am

RCMP search OPP union office in Barrie as part of criminal investigation

Three senior members of the Ontario Provincial Police Association are off the job, following a search of the union’s office in Barrie by the RCMP.

In a statement, the OPPA says RCMP officers executed a search warrant on Friday and obtained items from the head office, which included the offices of OPPA president Jim Christie, vice president Martin Bain and chief administrative officer Karl Walsh. The search was part of a criminal investigation.

The RCMP confirms to CTV News that officers also executed search warrants at houses. However, due to the search warrants being sealed, RCMP would not confirm which residences and who they are owned by.

The association says they are cooperating with the RCMP investigation. Both Christie and Bain have taken voluntary leaves of absence, while Walsh has been placed on administrative leave by the OPPA board of directors.

"It's not the Ontario Provincial Police Association, nor the OPP who are under investigation, it's individuals associated to the association," says RCMP Const. Jean Juneau.

However, sources indicate the Mounties are acting on a complaint and are looking into allegations of theft, fraud, criminal breach of trust, laundering proceeds of crime and fraudulent concealment.

“These actions should not be considered admissions or implications of wrongdoing or liability by anyone or by the Association,” the OPPA said in a statement. “The Association has no knowledge of any charges being laid against any persons at this time.”

At this point the RCMP says charges haven't been laid, but investigators are continuing to go through all the evidence seized from the union offices.

The OPPA is the union that represents Ontario Provincial Police officers.

http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/rcmp-search-op ... -1.2271180
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OPP Association head office in Barrie raided

Postby Thomas » Tue Mar 10, 2015 4:37 pm

RCMP officers raided the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) headquarters in Barrie, Friday.

The Mounties executed 13 search warrants from the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto at the OPP's union office on Ferris Lane at 8:30 a.m., pertaining directly to the offices of president and CEO Jim Christie, vice-president Martin Bain and CAO Karl Walsh.

Christie and Bain have taken voluntary leaves of absence from the OPPA, and Walsh has been placed on administrative leave by the association's board of directors.

“No, be sure that it has nothing to do with the Ontario Provincial Police Corporation or the Ontario Provincial Police Association,” said Const. Jean Juneau, a spokesman with the RCMP. “It has nothing to do with either of them. It's individuals within.”

Juneau said the search warrants have been sealed so the national police service will not be discussing the details prior to the investigation's completion.

Juneau could not comment on the type of investigation, but did say no charges have been laid.

"We have opened an investigation right now and (will) try to find out, with the search warrants, if there's any validity in the complaint we received,” Juneau said.

No information was provided about who lodged the complaint.

“This investigation is just starting for us, but I don't remember having any officer saying who we got a complaint from because it would affect the investigation. Repercussions could be going towards that individual," Juneau said. "That's why we never, never, discuss any information on who we got the complaint from.”

Juneau said that he believes the investigation started earlier this year, but couldn't go further until the search warrants were executed.

According to an OPPA official, leaves of absence should not be considered admissions of guilt or implications of wrongdoing or liability.

The OPPA's Josh Jutras said no additional information was being released and would not comment further on the RCMP investigation.

Acting president Doug Lewis, acting vice-president Todd Provost and the board of directors will continue the OPPA's day-to-day operations.

Walsh was the provincial Liberal candidate for the Barrie riding in the 2011 Ontario election, losing to Tory Rod Jackson. At the time, Walsh had been a police officer for 14 years and served in the Canadian Forces for 14 years. He had led the OPPA as president for two terms.

The OPPA celebrated its 60 years of service last October, Jutras said. The police union represents approximately 6,200 uniformed members, as well as 3,600 civilian staff.

OPP Sgt. Peter Leon said he was aware of RCMP investigation, but had no further comment.

Lauren Callighen , a spokesman for Community Safety Minister Yasir Naqvi, said the investigation is an “active police matter” so the ministry will not comment.
“The OPP and the OPP Association operate entirely independently,” she said.

Once the news broke, Tory MPP Lisa MacLeod tweeted, “That would be the same OPPA that ran attack ads for (Premier Kathleen) Wynne’s Liberals in June. Meanwhile there are 4 investigations into her government.“

The OPPA spent $41,570, out of $200,000 in available funds, to advertise in last June’s provincial election, according to filings with Elections Ontario.

http://www.orilliapacket.com/2015/03/09 ... ice-raided

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RCMP probe won't affect OPP service: Gov't

Postby Thomas » Wed Mar 11, 2015 3:35 am

TORONTO - An RCMP investigation into the union representing members of the OPP won’t impact the service provided by officers, Community Safety Minister Yasir Naqvi says.

“It’s independent from the Ontario Provincial Police itself,” the minister said Tuesday. “We have full confidence on the OPP’s capacity and capability to do the job. They are made up of professional police officers and they will continue to operate as they’ve always done with utmost professionalism and diligence.”

Premier Kathleen Wynne refused to comment Tuesday on the investigation of the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA).

“It’s a situation that obviously is under investigation by the RCMP,” Wynne said. “I just don’t have any more information.”

RCMP investigators executed a search warrant Friday at the OPPA headquarters in Barrie.

OPPA president Jim Christie and vice-president Martin Bain took a voluntary leave of absence.

Chief administrative officer Karl Walsh was placed on administrative leave, according to an OPPA news release.

Reached by the Toronto Sun’s Tracy McLaughlin Tuesday, Walsh declined comment: “I have nothing to say.”

Progressive Conservative MPP Steve Clark said the OPPA leaders, unlike senior Liberals under investigation for alleged bribery in the Sudbury byelection, did the right thing by removing themselves.

Opposition MPPs have repeatedly demanded that Wynne’s chief of staff Pat Sorbara and Liberal organizer Gerry Lougheed Jr. be removed from their public duties while under investigation.

“There’s an opportunity for the government to show some integrity ... They should follow the lead of the OPPA,” Clark said.

Naqvi ​said no charges have been laid in the Sudbury investigation.

“We have to remember that we have presumption of innocence in our system of democracy, an individual is innocent until proven guilty,” Naqvi said.

RCMP officers have not laid any charges in the OPPA probe.

​Meanwhile, Naqvi said ongoing collective bargaining with the OPPA continues under new union leadership.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/03/10/rc ... rvice-govt
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RCMP probe turns attention to Toronto-based travel agency

Postby Thomas » Thu Mar 12, 2015 3:05 am

RCMP probe into OPP union turns attention to Toronto-based travel agency

Mounties are looking into the activities of a Toronto-based travel agency that caters to police and other first responders as part of a wider criminal investigation into people connected to the union representing Ontario Provincial Police officers, the National Post has learned.

First Response Travel Group states in its marketing materials that it offers special rates for police officers, firefighters and paramedics, and identifies itself as a “Division of Leximco.” Corporate records show that a director of Leximco Ltd. is Andrew McKay, a Toronto lawyer whose client list includes a number of police associations, including the OPP Association.

Police were observed at Mr. McKay’s downtown Toronto offices last Friday, the same day that RCMP executed search warrants at the headquarters of the OPP Association in Barrie, Ont., and at people’s homes. Three senior members of the association subsequently stepped aside.

There have been no arrests or charges laid and police have not accused any individuals of wrongdoing. The reasons why the RCMP launched its investigation and conducted the searches is still sealed by the court.

“I understand that the RCMP is conducting an investigation into a complaint and that investigation is ongoing,” Mr. McKay said in an email. “As such, it would be improper for me to comment.”

Online biographical information shows that Mr. McKay is a former Toronto police investigator. As a lawyer, he specializes in representing police, doctors, lawyers and professional athletes accused of wrongdoing. His LinkedIn profile states that he also operates Amax Security Solutions, a security and investigations company, and Amax Intelligence, a fraud-mitigation company.

Corporate records list him as a director of Amax, which shares office space with Mr. McKay’s law firm.

A handful of lawyers work at the firm, which is located in a tower on a strip of high-end retail property across from the Royal Ontario Museum on Bloor Street West. Several police officers — some in uniform and some in plain clothes ­— arrived at the office at the start of the business day Friday, neighbouring tenants said.

Corporate registration documents for Leximco and First Response list a Klara Kozak as an administrator or partner. Her LinkedIn profile says she has been agency owner since May 2014. Reached by phone this week, Ms. Kozak said she was busy with a booking for a client and unable to answer questions about any connection between the agency and the OPP Association.

Two large dogs greeted visitors Wednesday at Leximco’s storefront office on Bloor St. West near Islington Ave., where Ms. Kozak declined to answer questions about any police searches, the company’s links to the OPPA or Mr. McKay.

“We have no comment,” Ms. Kozak said, asking a Post reporter to leave. When asked if someone needed to be a police officer or emergency services worker to book travel through the company, she said no.

Visitors to the First Response website are greeted by an image of a tropical resort and this message: “You Deserve a Holiday. Your job is to make everyone else feel safe and secure. Trust your travel decisions with a team that understands, you need the same.” Its website says first responders in Ontario, including the Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Service and paramedics in Grey County “call us to enjoy preferred travel arrangements.”

Sgt. Peter Leon, a spokesman for the OPP, and OPP Deputy Commissioner Scott Tod said this week they had never heard of the agency. Meaghan Gray, a spokeswoman for the Toronto Police, said she had never heard of the agency either.

The website says its agents speak Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, Spanish and French, and can assist with Russian visas.

First Response says it is registered with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario and lists a registration number of 5007930. A council representative said this week that Leximco is registered under the similar number 50007930, but First Response is not registered with the council.

The First Response Twitter page shows it has issued one tweet, has three followers and is following 22 people. One of them is Jim Christie.

Mr. Christie took a voluntary leave of absence as the president of the OPP Association on Monday in the wake of the police searches at the association’s headquarters in Barrie.

Martin Bain, the association’s vice-president, also voluntarily stepped aside, and the board of directors placed Karl Walsh, the chief administrative officer, on administrative leave.

The association, which represents 9,000 employees, said in a statement that these actions should not be considered admissions of wrongdoing.

Barrie police this week confirmed that they were called to the association office on Saturday when a staff person became concerned whether certain individuals were allowed to be on the premises or not. The matter was resolved without incident.

Josh Jutras, spokesman for the association, would not answer questions this week about any relationship between the association and the travel agency.

He did say that the law firm of Stikeman Elliott has been retained to provide legal advice for the association. A spokeswoman for the law firm said it had no comment.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/03/11 ... el-agency/
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OPPA Communique on March 12, 2015

Postby Thomas » Fri Mar 13, 2015 5:50 am

On March 12, 2015, the Ontario Provincial Police Association issued the following communique to its members:

In an effort to keep our membership informed, the OPP Association would like to provide you with additional information related to the search warrant that was executed at 199 Ferris Lane in Barrie on March 6. The Association would like to point out that the RCMP investigation is in early stages, and that no charges have been laid. The warrant alleges “there are reasonable grounds for believing that the following offences have been committed:”

- Section 322 Theft, Criminal Code;
- Section 36 Criminal Breach of Trust, Criminal Code;
- Section 380 (1) Fraud, Criminal Code;
- Section 462.31 Laundering the Proceeds of Crime, Criminal Code; and
- Section 341 Fraudulent Concealment, Criminal Code;

In addition, an internal investigation is being conducted by the independent legal firm of Stikeman Elliott. Counsel from Stikeman Elliot is conducting the investigation under the oversight of the Acting CAO, Michael Briscoe.

The Information to Obtain the search warrant remains sealed by the court. The OPPA will have to advance knowledge of the contents of this document. As such, the Association will not be able to provide any information prior to its release.

The day to day operation of the Association continues with member services being our priority.

OPPA Communique, March 12, 2015.jpg
OPPA Communique on March 12, 2015


http://cornwallfreenews.com/2015/03/opp ... oppa-rcmp/

http://www.madhunt.com/oppa-rcmp-chrges-20150313.html
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Good morning OPP folks!

Postby Thomas » Fri Mar 13, 2015 6:37 am

I bet this is what it looked like when the OPP realized a few of their 'own' were stealing their pension money:

https://youtu.be/_mJDeeToAUw

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=556
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