GUARDS IN DRUG PROBE SEEK $130M

TORONTO -- The suicides of two married Kingston Pen guards and the firing
of eight others was preceded by a police drug probe that pampered the most
violent cons in Canada, a $130-million class action lawsuit claims.

Warden Monty Bourke, one of several named defendants, has called the
allegations "outright fantasy" and vows to fight them "head on."

The suit, filed by four fired guards, says a "secret" RCMP and OPP probe
dubbed Project OCORRECT used "entrapment," "oppressive" and coercive
tactics to nab staff, yet rewarded inmate informers with immunity, reduced
sentences and special treatment.

The informers had a "history of lying, drug trafficking and violent
criminal activity," both on the street and in prison, the suit says.
Corrections Canada spokesman Theresa Westfall said yesterday the probe had
been "necessary to stop the unprofessional and inappropriate behaviour of a
few employees."

But sources have also told The Sun that married guards David and Gail
Perkins committed suicide last December only days after an imprisoned mob
killer struck a fake deal that would buy them a house in exchange for drug
smuggling.

As previously reported in The Sun, the Perkins were found dead in their
rented rural home on New Years' Eve from an overdose. The suicides came
days after a cash deal by the couple -- who had previously been broke -- to
buy a house near Kingston fell through.

The couple wrote in a suicide note that the music was getting louder and
they could no longer face it. Dave Perkins was known as a supplier of
cocaine and other contraband.

The four fired guards -- Germain Gaignard, Trevor Lee, James Smith and Jack
Coimbra -- have filed a statement of claim seeking $80 million for the
"intentional infliction of emotional distress" and breach of fiduciary duty
and the charter.

CSC sources suggest the suit is a union "ploy" to gain access to evidence
on outstanding grievances.

The guards' Kingston lawyer, Angus MacLeod, could not be reached for comment.