Pubdate: Fri, 27 Oct 2006
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Keith Baldrey, View from the Ledge

WHEELS OF JUSTICE SO SLOW

As we approach the third-year anniversary of the police raid on the 
legislature, it's time to step back and ask an important question: 
What in the heck is happening with this case anyway?

Shortly after the raid occurred in late December 2003, the RCMP held 
a news conference and grandly and seriously talked about organized 
crime somehow coming perilously close to the legislature. There was 
also talk of money laundering and drug trafficking.

But almost three years later, the case has dwindled into an alleged 
affair of tawdry low-level lobbying. In any event, it now appears 
that the trial of three former Liberal government political aides 
won't even begin until next spring.

In the meantime, interesting tidbits about the case have emerged and 
some important questions remain unanswered. Much of the mystery 
surrounds the Crown's star witness, Erik Bornman.

A former lobbyist and federal Liberal activist, Bornman is almost the 
entire case against the three provincial Liberal government workers 
[Dave Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi].

According to the search warrants that have been unsealed, it is 
Bornman who is making the allegations of bribery and corruption in 
regard to the privatization of B.C. Rail.

In fact, without Bornman's assertions, it's hard to see much evidence 
of wrongdoing in this affair.

But the treatment afforded Bornman by the RCMP and, possibly, the 
special prosecutor, raises important questions.

Bornman has claimed he funneled money to Dave Basi through Aneal Basi 
in exchange for information, documents and client referrals and that 
he gave Dave Basi a "benefit" in violation of the Criminal Code - yet 
he has not been charged with any crime.

As well, in the middle of the investigation and well after the search 
warrants containing his allegations were sworn in front of a judge, 
he was in law school and then became an articling student at a 
prestigious law firm in Toronto.

He also continued to be registered as a government lobbyist in B.C.

But why didn't any official connected with this case contact the 
Upper Canada Law Society and point out to it that someone about to be 
called to the bar had claimed to the police that he tried to bribe 
public officials?

More than two years after the raid, Bornman finally quit the law firm 
after someone did indeed complain to the Upper Canada Law Society.

Speaking of special prosecutors, did you know that Berardino is 
actually the third one on this case? Two other Vancouver lawyers 
preceded him - Len Doust and Josiah Wood - but both resigned shortly 
after getting the file because of possible conflict of interest problems.

The more I learn about this case - from leaks, from interviews of 
those with some inside knowledge of it - the more I get the 
impression that what was once painted to be a gigantic criminal 
conspiracy is actually a lot less than that.

It wouldn't be the first time the police have overreached when they 
enter the B.C. political scene.

As I wrote last week, they made that kind of error when dealing with 
two B.C. premiers.

Whether they're making the same kind now may not be known for many 
more months yet. The case drags on and on.

To put how long this is all taking in perspective, here's one last 
tidbit - since he lost his job as a result of the legislature raid, 
ex-Liberal aide Bob Virk and his wife have had two children.

The wheels of justice are indeed turning very, very slowly here.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine