Pubdate: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 Source: Review, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2004 Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2907 Author: Alison Langley RCMP CHARGE JUSTICE, LAWYER NIAGARA FALLS - Justice of the Peace George Radojcic and former federal crown prosecutor Jeff Root were among four persons arrested Tuesday in connection with a lengthy police investigation involving drugs, money laundering and outlaw bikers. Radojcic, who has been employed as a justice of the peace since January 2001, was arrested at his Mulhern Street home Tuesday morning. At the same time, police swooped down on Root's home on Virginia Street in Welland where he was arrested. The charges stem from a three-year investigation launched by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 2001. The investigation involved community concerns over the influx of motorcycle gang members to the Niagara area and their related criminal activities, explained RCMP Insp. Linda Martell. "Of particular concern to us as we continued this investigation and of significant public interest is whether or not the local justice system had been compromised by the two accused who are employed in it," said Martell. "The investigation thus far has not gleaned any information to indicate that such is the case." Radojcic, 44, of Niagara Falls, is facing seven counts. He is charged with possession of the proceeds of crime, laundering the proceeds of crime, conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime, conspiracy to possess the proceeds of crime, attempt to launder the proceeds of crime, attempt to possess the proceeds of crime and counselling to commit laundering. Root, 38, of Welland, is facing five counts. He is charged with conspiracy to launder the proceeds of crime, conspiracy to possess the proceeds of crime, attempt to launder the proceeds of crime, attempt to possess the proceeds of crime and counselling to commit laundering. Also charged were Ricky Ward, 44, of Firelane Road 13, Sherkston, and 25-year-old Monica Gehl, of Minto Street, Port Colborne. Each faces two counts of trafficking in cocaine and possession of the proceeds of crime. The investigation focused on the period between Sept. 19, 2002 and Jan. 31, 2004, and involved several law enforcement agencies including the RCMP, Niagara Regional Police, Metropolitan Toronto Police and the Ontario Biker Enforcement Unit. "We're not looking so much at the (dollar) amount, rather we're looking at the activities they were involved in," Martell told The Review. She said the investigation is ongoing and further charges are anticipated. The four accused appeared for bail hearings late Tuesday afternoon in the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines. Radojcic, Root and Gehl were granted bail and were released. Ward remains in custody and will return to court March 15 at 10 a.m. for his hearing. Radojcic and Root made a joint appearance in front of Justice Martha Zivolak. Both accused were wearing handcuffs and sat together in the prisoner's box while their lawyers conducted their bail hearings. Lawyer Beverly Wilton, with the federal Department of Justice in Toronto, outlined the allegations surrounding the case. A publication ban is in effect on the evidence that was presented during the hearing. While the allegations were being read, Root continued to look straight ahead while Radojcic looked down and on a few occasions used his handcuffed hands to support his head. Radojcic and Root have both been released on $40,000 bail. Their terms include not having contact with each other, persons who may have a criminal record except for members of their family, and they are not to have contact with persons who may have connections with motorcycle gangs. Inside the courtroom were Radojcic's wife, Ann, and Root's wife, Rita. Absent from the proceeding was Root's father, Allan Root, a prominent former Crown attorney who was in Welland for more than 30 years. A spokesman with the Ministry of the Attorney General said it is unknown at this time what effect Tuesday's developments will have on courts in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines, where Radojcic normally presides. "Decisions on assignments of justices of the peace are made by the judiciary, specifically the associate chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, who is also the coordinator for the justices of the peace for the province," explained Brendan Crawley. Associate Chief Justice Donald Ebbs could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Root is a former prominent federal prosecutor who stepped down from that post in 2002 following a criminal investigation into an alleged extortion scheme involving a Niagara Falls man. A the time of the investigation, Root had handled primarily drug cases and customs violations. He was later charged - along with Niagara Falls boxers John Clute and Thomas Clute - with assault, extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion. In December 2003, all charges were withdrawn after a Crown prosecutor determined there was no reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction against the trio. During an interview with The Review shortly after the charges were quashed, Root said, "I've always maintained my innocence." Root is being represented by Welland lawyer Mark Evans. "Obviously, he is in shock with the charges that have been laid, and he is presumed to be innocent," Evans said outside the courthouse following Tuesday's bail hearing. Gehl was released from custody on $1,000 bail, while Ward remains in jail. He will return to court Monday for his bail hearing. The four accused will make another court appearance at 9 a.m., April 13 in St. Catharines. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart