Pubdate: Wed, 14 Mar 2018 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2018 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor Website: http://torontosun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457 Author: Sam Pazzano Page: 4 COP AIDED DRUG DEALER TO GAIN HIS TRUST? Suspended Hamilton cop Craig Ruthowsky revealed that he aided a drug dealer to cultivate his trust so he could snare a larger trafficker, his former best friend testified Tuesday. Sgt. James Paterson, who once considered himself Ruthowsky's "best friend," confronted Ruthowsky after he was suspended in 2012 while both were working for Hamilton's guns and gangs unit. "Craig Ruthowsky advised me that the dealer was dangling a bigger fish in front of him that he wanted to get, this major importer Officer Ruthowsky had said 'I was trying to make myself look like a dirty cop so that will trust me more, and he'd give up the bigger fish,'" said Paterson. Ruthowsky, 44, who held the rank of detective constable, has pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery, attempting to obstruct justice, trafficking cocaine, criminal breach of trust, and conspiring to traffic marijuana. The prosecution alleges that Ruthowsky was working with the criminals in exchange for a monthly payment of $20,000. Paterson recalled visiting Ruthowsky's home in Ancaster to inquire about the allegations, which led to his suspension. The most puzzling allegation, Paterson testified, was that Ruthowsky attended a private chemical company to get a cutting agent analyzed for a "high level drug dealer" and informant. The dealer - now the Crown's key witness - allegedly paid Ruthowsky $20,000 a month for protection. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt