OFFICERS FACING 270 CHARGES

Case Involves Skimming Cash From 'Fink Fund'

Five veteran Toronto police officers now face more than 270 criminal
charges stemming from a corruption scandal involving the theft of
informant reward money, documents show.

The formal charges filed yesterday by internal affairs investigators
gives a dollar figure on the money the officers are alleged to have
stolen from the force.

It's about $5,000, and involves over a dozen alleged transactions over
the past six years, with seven numbered informants. Each alleged theft
of money carries with it multiple charges, including breach of trust,
fraud, and forgery.

The 45-page document detailing the allegations against the officers
was presented - but not read out - when the five made their first
appearance at College Park court in the afternoon.

The case was put over until June 8 and the accused officers were told
they are not allowed to discuss their legal problems among themselves.
They cannot have any contact with the police informants connected to
the charges. The informants are referred to by numbers, not names, in
the charges.

The internal affairs case involves the skimming of money from the
force's so-called "fink fund," which is used to reward informants when
they provide information, such as the identity of drug dealers or the
whereabouts of escaped convicts.

In all, the officers face 19 counts of breach of trust, 19 counts of
fraud under $5,000, 23 counts of theft under $5,000, 66 counts of
forgery, and 66 counts of uttering forged documents. Each count can
involve charges against more than one officer.

The brunt of the charges are against Detective Constable Gary Corbett,
41, and Detective Rod Lawrence, 43, members of a squad that tracks
down escapees and parole violators.

The other three officers who appeared in court work out of police
stations in North York. They are Constable Gordon Ramsay, 45,
Constable Wayne Frye, 52, and Constable Rick Franklin.

Corbett, who faces more than 180 charges, worked with all of the
officers. All five are suspended with pay.

Several officers and police union officials were on hand at
yesterday's court appearance to show their support. The five officers
left through a back door to avoid the media after the hearing.

Outside the courthouse, lawyer Gary Clewley - one of three lawyers
representing the officers - said there was no reason the officers
shouldn't be allowed to talk to each other as the court proceedings
unfold.

"There is no conspiracy charge here," said Clewley, adding the
officers have been friends for years and often attend social functions
together.

Clewley said he couldn't comment on the case because he has yet to see
any real disclosure from the crown detailing the allegations.

The five detectives turned themselves in to internal affairs
investigators last month where they were formally processed and
released pending yesterday's court date.

At the time, the force released information showing the officers faced
136 charges. It's unclear whether the 57 extra charges filed yesterday
involve new allegations.

It was a routine internal audit of the force's Repeat Offender Program
Enforcement (ROPE) unit last fall that first revealed inconsistencies
in the use of money for informants. That prompted Internal Affairs
detectives to launch a criminal investigation, which is ongoing.

Corbett and Lawrence also have been charged internally with nearly 50
counts under the Police Services Act stemming from the investigation.
More internal charges are expected.

The internal charges against Corbett and Lawrence are much more
detailed than the criminal charges and provide a glimpse into how the
alleged scheme worked. The allegations include:

Falsifying reports to make it appear as though information was
obtained from informants when there had been no contact with the
informants at all.

Filing follow-up paperwork that suggested informants expected payment
of as much as $500 for information when no money, or in one case just
a portion of the requested amount, was paid out.

Filing false reports about informants.

Forging receipts to make it appear informants were paid.