EX-DRUG SQUAD OFFICER SUES FANTINO, POLICE BOARD

Toronto police officer Rob Correa has filed a $2.5-million lawsuit
against former police chief Julian Fantino and the Toronto Police
Services Board alleging he was negligently and maliciously prosecuted
during a 2004 police inquiry.

None of the allegations in Mr. Correa's statement of claim filed with
the Ontario Superior Court have been proven in court.

Mr. Correa, a former drug squad officer who joined the force in 1984,
was charged under the Police Act in connection with links to a
cocaine addict and convicted car thief. He was later acquitted.

In Mr. Correa's statement of claim, Mr. Fantino, who is now the OPP
commissioner, is accused of orchestrating a news conference to
"sabotage [Mr. Correa's] credibility in the eyes of the public and
his fellow officers."

Mr. Fantino is also accused of being "involved in the conduct of wire
intercepts of the Chair of the Police Services Board involving
unknown investigations."

The document alleges Mr. Fantino sought to suppress the details of a
police investigation "to protect his own reputation and policing
future." Mr. Fantino is also said to have received "unauthorized
gratuities from a businessman in Woodbridge."

Mr. Correa voluntarily left the drug squad and now works at 23 Division.

Neither Mr. Correa nor Mr. Fantino could be reached yesterday for comment.

A statement of defence has not been filed.