JUDGE RIPS DRUG OFFICER

Cop tried to influence witness: Court

One of four cops named as an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the Toronto
Police drug squad scandal was severely admonished by a senior judge
recently. Ontario Superior Court Justice Russell Juriansz dismissed charges
against an accused robber after he found that former drug cop Jason Kondo
made an "intentional attempt" to influence a witness in the case.

Kondo, who is now on the holdup squad, was named with three others as an
unindicted co-conspirator when an RCMP-led special task force arrested six
former drug officers Wednesday on 40 criminal charges.

CONSPIRACY ALLEGED

Prosecutors allege in one count on the court information that the six were
part of a conspiracy that included Kondo, Jonathan Reid, Gregory Forestall
and Mike Turnbull to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice" by
falsifying notes, internal police records, testimony and swearing to false
affidavits to obtain search warrants.

Kondo was alleged to have confronted the mother of James Delargy outside
court before Delargy was set to testify as a witness at the trial of accused
robber Paul Wilkins Aug. 18, 2003.

Delargy was in earshot of the two at the time.

Delargy's mom complained to Wilkins' lawyer, Mark Kerbel, that Kondo had
warned her that if Delargy didn't follow the "truth" of testimony that he
gave police in a prior videotaped statement, then he would be arrested.

INTIMIDATION

She also complained that Kondo ordered Delargy to "be quiet and to sit in a
certain area."

Kerbel filed a motion for an abuse of process and the Delargys and Kondo
testified before Juriansz the next day.