Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jul 2004 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Alan Cairns ONE COP FACES 25 RAPS Lion's Share For McCormack Jr. ALMOST HALF of 55 Police Services Act charges laid against nine officers in the 52 Division scandal this week involve a former police chief's son, William McCormack Jr. McCormack Jr., who already faces more than a dozen criminal charges relating to allegations of kickbacks in the entertainment district, now faces 25 Police Services Act charges. Included in the latest charges are allegations that he tipped downtown bar owners of impending liquor inspections and drug sweeps. McCormack is alleged to have divulged the date and location of a March 26 drug sweep. A day after the raid, it is alleged, McCormack, his wife and 52 Division fraud cop, Jodie Watson, and others ate and drank for free at downtown bars. The charges do not say whether the incidents are linked. None of the charges have been proven in court. It is also alleged McCormack: - - Twice failed to attend court as a witness, but claimed he did. - - Drove an unmarked car to Woodbine Casino while on duty. - - Went to Casino Rama while recorded on duty. - - Didn't report or probe allegations of sex assaults at a bar. - - Had a free dinner and a hockey game with a bar owner. - - Referred to a female supervisor as a "real diesel dyke." - - Incorrectly listed himself on duty on 22 separate occasions. - - Prompted a fellow cop to reduce speeding charges against a pal on the false grounds that the pal was an informant. - - Was wrongly in possession of a police record printout. - - Warned fellow Toronto cop George Kouroudis, operator of the Lotus night club, when he would do a liquor inspection. Watson, who is facing criminal charges relating to firearms possession and storage, is charged under the police act with accepting free food and drink and possessing a Canadian Police Information Computer record. McCormack and three other 52 Division plainclothes cops are alleged to have skipped work on Christmas Day. McCormack also failed to show up for work on Dec. 26, it is alleged. SIX OF EIGHT COPS NAMED Six of the eight other officers who will face police act charges were also named yesterday. It is alleged that Sgt. Brian Berger, a 52 Division supervisor, didn't work Dec. 23 and 25, and left work early on March 9. It is also alleged that numerous officers under Berger's direct supervision committed acts of misconduct because of his failure to supervise them with proper diligence. Det. Hugh Wong, a supervisor at 51 Division, is alleged to have called McCormack April 2 and asked him to delay a liquor licensing matter so the bar owner could sell his bar. It is alleged McCormack agreed to Wong's request. 52 Division Const. Simon Knott is charged with being at Woodbine Casino March 9 while marked on duty and March 21 while he was absent without leave. He is also charged with being at Casino Rama April 8 while on duty. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart