Pubdate: Tue, 10 Apr 2007
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Joe Warmington
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers)

WEB OF DECEIT?

The Chronicler -- And Admirer -- Of Hells Angels Treads A Fine Line

Operating a biker Web site can be hell when police fear the guy 
running it is no angel.

Well, an Angel he is actually -- a Hells Angel.

"But I am not involved in crime," insists the man behind the mystery 
of realdealnews.com. "I have a family and a (day) job."

But it's his hobby that has the cops burning. He sometimes goes by 
the mock name Bill Paide but in biker and police circles alike he's 
known simply as Webmaster.

They all know his real name. He doesn't reveal it because his 
employer would not appreciate his ties to a motorcycle club. He 
talked with The Sun only by telephone and through e-mail. And the 
picture here today, he provided.

During last week's bust there was no one in the information game more 
on top of things with updates and stories. He takes a lot of pride in 
that fact.

"This Web site is for the many Hells Angels and all bikers that are 
not involved in crime, enjoy family, brotherhood, motorcycles, and 
the right to the freedom of association guaranteed by our Charter of 
Rights and Freedoms," he said.

Fantino Riled

Needless to say just days after police busted 31 bikers and laid 169 
criminal charges including trafficking and weapons possession, the 
OPP commissioner is not amused. In fact Ontario's top cop Julian 
Fantino and his OPP and Biker Enforcement Unit investigators are 
watching the daily postings closely.

But Webmaster strongly believes freedom of speech will prevail as he 
effectively gets out the other side of the story. It's billed as 
Bikers News by Bikers. "Get to the Truth," it says in bold headlines 
today. "As Lies become universal, the Truth becomes revolutionary."

Another headline says "Guilty Until Proven Innocent."

But it's the sections vilifying police and justice administrators 
that concern Fantino.

"It seems like he's doing counter-intelligence on the police," said 
Fantino, who says he doubts the public will buy into the efforts to 
turn law enforcement into the bad guys.

It is the bikers, he says, who were found with extensive amounts of 
illegal drugs and weapons and it's they who are involved in "organized crime."

But Webmaster argues that charges against the Hells Angels members 
are minor and the busting down of the wall of the Eastern Ave. 
clubhouse is an example of what is nothing more than a show.

Without information from the "rat" inside the club, he says there 
would be no story at all.

He's referring to full-patch member Shaky Dave, who is now in 
witness-protection but was on Webmaster's suspicious list for a while.

He said a few weeks ago Shaky went around the clubhouse "asking 
everyone for drugs."

Webmaster said drugs were not part of the clubhouse environment and 
in February "the Downtown Angels were entertaining a motion to invite 
the media into our clubhouse, show what it contained."

But there was one member opposed.

"The motion was defeated when (he) made an impassioned plea to keep 
the sanctity of the clubhouse private. 'We shouldn't give up our 
right to privacy, it's nobody's business what we do here,'" Webmaster 
said, recalling the members agreeing with him. "His argument was 
convincing and the motion failed. He was articulate, he was 
passionate, he was working for the police."

Webmaster said he was always uncomfortable with Shaky Dave.

"It was like he was trying to get us to say something."

Fink Sought Drugs?

He now wonders, "How many of the charges are founded on conversations 
where odd telephone statements went unchallenged or your constant 
parading around the clubhouse asking everyone for drugs?"

But Fantino said police did an exhaustive investigation that was as 
professional as one can get.

"The Hells Angels, like all other persons charged with a crime in 
this country, will have their day in court," Fantino said. "They have 
dream teams of lawyers, the best money can retain and I am confident 
that they will be well-represented. We, the police, on the other hand 
have faith in the system, we work within the parameters of the law 
and when all is said and done, have confidence in the integrity of 
the painstaking 18-month investigation."

Fantino adds in a matter of time, the bikers will be shown for their 
true colours.

"In the end the truth, all the truth, about who is right and who is 
wrong will come out," he said. "I know what side of that argument the 
police are on and it isn't with the Hells Angels."

But Webmaster sees things differently and will continue operating his site.

Although justice sources say shuting down Webmaster is not a 
priority, he still has "one eye on the door all the time waiting for police."

Judging from the bust at the clubhouse last week, he might want to 
keep an eye on the walls, too.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman