Pubdate: Wed, 01 Oct 2008 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Authors: Peter Edwards, and Peter Small Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?188 (Outlaw Bikers) GANG RUN LIKE A BUSINESS, JUDGE SAYS Many Multinational Companies Would 'Envy' Hells Angels' Structure, Jurist Notes In His Ruling The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is a highly structured criminal organization that's better run than many multinational corporations, says a Toronto judge. Justice John McMahon of Ontario Superior Court ruled yesterday that the outlaw biker organization has a "vertical corporate structure" that "would be the envy of many international corporations." He made the comments in the trial of Kenneth (Wags) Wagner, 43, of the Hells Angels Niagara chapter, who was found guilty of trafficking drugs and a pistol for a criminal enterprise. The judge's finding that the Canadian Hells Angels are a criminal organization supports a landmark ruling in Barrie, Ont., by Madam Justice Michelle Fuerst during a 2005 extortion trial. Yesterday, McMahon told court that one of the reasons he concluded the Hells Angels are a criminal enterprise in Canada is because the club actively gathers intelligence on its enemies, including police. In his ruling, the judge noted a police report that states Ontario Hells Angels maintain photos and lists of police officers and rival bikers, and information on officers' wives. Federal prosecutor Tom Andreopoulos told court that top-secret police intelligence documents stamped "Private and Confidential" and "For Police Use Only" were found in the clubhouse of the Niagara Region Hells Angels and in the homes of Wagner and another club member, Gerald "Skinny" Ward, 60. These included a Niagara Regional Police file with photos and other details on the St. Catharines chapter of the Outlaws gang; a rival of the Hells Angels; a Niagara police memo on the purchase of a hotel; and a handbook for members of the provincial Biker Enforcement Unit. Wagner had pleaded guilty to trafficking more than four kilograms of cocaine to a member of the Oshawa Hells Angels chapter, who was acting as a police agent, and to possession of $150,675 in proceeds of crime. However, he had pleaded not guilty to instructing others to commit offences, namely trafficking cocaine and transferring a firearm for the benefit of a criminal organization. Yesterday, the single father of two apologized to his family, vowing to reform, and said he wanted to quit the motorcycle club. "I was considering retiring from the club, but it is very frowned upon to do when in jail," the stocky welder told the judge. "If I quit the club in jail, it looks like I'm blaming the club." Andreopoulos asked for a sentence of 10 years - six for the "criminal organization" charge - on top of two years pre-trial custody. Defence lawyer Andras Schreck asked for nine years less time spent awaiting trial. McMahon rules on the sentence Oct. 7. The judge said he was impressed with the testimony of police agent Steve Gault, who was a full member and secretary of the Hells Angels' Oshawa chapter. The judge called Gault, who has received more than $400,000 from police for his work, "a credible and reliable witness." The judge noted when Gault was asked if Hells Angels in Ontario are merely aging motorcycle enthusiasts, he replied, "That couldn't be farther from the truth." He noted that Gault said that drug dealers join the Hells Angels because of the power and criminal network they gain from wearing the club's "death-head" winged skull on their backs. "The patch is muscle and everybody backs it," Gault told investigators. "You have the power with the patch." Other documents filed in court include a transcript of a secretly recorded conversation between Ward and Gault. . In the conversation on Aug. 18, 2005, Ward advised Gault that he used to have a police officer bring him paperwork. Gault is now in a witness protection program. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom