Pubdate: Thu, 01 Mar 2012
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2012 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Peter Small

DRUG SQUAD TRIAL: COKE DEALER CLAIMS COPS OGLED NAKED WIFE PHOTOS

A cocaine dealer who claims Toronto detectives shook him down for
drugs and money has given widely inconsistent statements, and now
alleges an officer stared at private pictures of his naked wife, a
trial has heard.

Andy Ioakim, 55, has testified at this police corruption trial that
officers stole cocaine, marijuana and more than $100,000 from his
Richmond Hill home in 1997, promising he would avoid jail if he fed
their greed.

On Thursday, Ioakim added the nude photos allegation. "Drugs, money
and naked pictures go together well," Ioakim said.

But defence lawyer Peter Brauti noted that Ioakim has accused three
different officers of ogling his wife's nude photos over the years.

"You just make up allegations about law enforcement all the time," he
said, a suggestion Ioakim denied.

Brauti presented Ioakim with several inconsistent statements he has
made about the alleged raid on his home.

Depending on the version, he variously describes the location of the
money as being in his bedroom closet, bed or behind the basement
furnace. The cash stolen varies from $35,000 to $110,000, depending on
the telling.

The amount of cocaine allegedly stolen varies from 71 grams to two
kilograms. Similarly, the marijuana snatched changes from a several
dozen grams to 4.5 kilograms.

Ioakim explained he has health-related memory problems.

Brauti informed him that the police officers filed reports showing
they seized over 71 grams of cocaine from his home and 227 grams from
his truck - rather than keeping it for themselves, as he believes.

"It's looking pretty good for my client isn't it?" said Brauti, who
represents former officer Joseph Miched.

"It's looking pretty good," Ioakim conceded, but added the reported
weights seem inaccurate. "They didn't have proper scales."

Miched, 53, Steven Correia, 44, Raymond Pollard, 47, John Schertzer,
54, and Ned Maodus, 48 - former Toronto drug squad officers - face
various charges, including attempting to obstruct justice, perjury,
assault and extortion.

The trial continues.
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