MONEY LAUNDERING CASE HEARS NO EVIDENCE FROM EX-PROSECUTOR

WELLAND - Former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Root and an undercover
RCMP officer discussed laundering millions of dollars in illegal drug
money from Canada to the United States, a Welland court heard Wednesday.

While no deal was completed and no money ever exchanged hands, the
various deals that were discussed ranged from $5 million to $25 million.

Root, 40, is on trial in the Superior Court of Justice in Welland
before Justice Linda Templeton. He is charged with five counts that
include money laundering and conspiracy to possess the proceeds of crime.

He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The Crown's key witness was a sergeant with the RCMP who worked
undercover using the name Paul Cox. Court heard he passed himself off
as a wealthy businessman with clients who were interested in
laundering millions of dollars from the sale of illegal drugs,
specifically cocaine.

Cox said the RCMP began an investigation, dubbed Project O'Beast (the
O stands for Ontario), in the summer of 2001.

The police also worked with a paid agent, who set up a business in
downtown Niagara Falls, the Shamrock Eezy Grow Hydroponics, in a
building jointly owned by former justice of the peace George Radojcic
and his wife, Anne.

The agent introduced Radojcic to Cox, and the two had conversations
about money laundering. Court heard Radojcic told Cox he knew a
lawyer, with a solid reputation, who might be able to help them
launder some money.

Radojcic was later charged by the RCMP with seven counts related to
money laundering. Last month, in a Kitchener court, he pleaded guilty
to one count of money laundering involving $8,400 and was sentenced
to two years less a day of house arrest.

Federal Crown prosecutor David Rowcliffe finished his case without
calling any further witnesses. The defence did not present any evidence.

The case will return to court Oct. 24 for written submissions. A
judgment will be made Nov. 23.