OPP OFFICER GUILTY OF PASSING FORGED DOCUMENT

On Bail On Drug Charges, Morrissette Doctored Contract For Elvis
Show

A Prescott OPP officer accused of drug trafficking admitted Monday to
attempting to mislead a federal prosecutor while trying to get his bail
conditions relaxed.

Maurice Morrissette, 40, pleaded guilty to uttering a forged document after
he gave a federal Crown two falsified contracts in an attempt to change his
bail conditions. He told the prosecutor he was producing an Elvis
impersonation show at the Casino du Lac Leamy and needed to able to leave
the province.

Morrissette, who lives in Oxford Station, was not allowed to leave Ontario
after he was charged with trafficking and possession of marijuana in 2008
following a joint investigation into the drug and contraband cigarette
trade in the Prescott area.

He wanted permission to go to the Casino du Lac Leamy in Gatineau to
produce an "Elvis Tribute" show, according to an agreed statement of facts.

The Crown would not consent to the change in bail conditions unless
Morrissette could show a contract for the work.

A partial contract was given to federal prosecutor Pam Larmondin on Oct.
26, 2009, showing Morrissette was hired to produce the show between Oct. 30
and Nov. 1. A second contract was given to Larmondin the next day.

Larmondin questioned the authenticity of the contracts and forwarded them
to the OPP for investigation.

Police discovered that the true contract was between a Montreal-based
company that is contracted by Casino du Lac Leamy and an Ontario business,
URock Productions Ontario, which is owned by Morrissette.

In the original contract, Morrissette's name is crossed out and replaced by
his sister's, Gina Morrissette. His sister signed the contract on behalf of
URock. There was no requirement in the contract for Maurice Morrissette to
be present for the performances.

After Morrissette entered his guilty plea Monday, federal prosecutor Ian
Bulmer asked Ontario Court Justice Lise Maisonneuve to convict Morrissette
and give him a $2,000 fine.

Morrissette's lawyer, James Foord, argued that the 40-year-old married
father of two, who displayed "obviously poor judgment," should be given a
conditional discharge -- meaning the conviction won't remain on
Morrissette's criminal record -- and make a $2,000 donation to the
Salvation Army instead.

Foord explained that Morrissette wanted his business venture to be
successful and didn't want the production company he was dealing with to be
contacted by the police. Morrissette's situation embarrassed them and
compromised their business relationship, Foord said.

Morrissette is to be sentenced Aug. 23.