6 COPS, 40 CHARGES

Arrests Follow RCMP Investigation

An American-style police corruption scandal exploded in Toronto
yesterday after six former drug squad cops were arrested and charged
with 40 criminal code offences. The charges stem from allegations that
include extortion, thefts and the falsification of notes, police
records, court testimony and search warrant affidavits.

Four more ex-drug cops are named as unindicted co-conspirators, but
they are not charged.

Scores of Police Services Act charges, including misconduct, deceit
and discreditable conduct, will be laid against all the indicted and
unindicted officers as well as other cops, sources said.

The charges follow a two-year probe by an RCMP-led task force started
by Chief Julian Fantino two years ago.

Fantino said at a media briefing yesterday that he is "deeply saddened
and disappointed.

"Without doubt, and from all points of view, this whole situation is
regrettable," he said.

Fantino said the allegations are "isolated and confined" and do not
detract from the excellent work of Toronto Police.

But as many as 150 drug cases have already been stayed as a result of
the investigation. And sources say there are concerns that more cases
will be stayed, convictions appealed and more civil court lawsuits
filed.

The six officers charged are: Staff-Sgt. John Schertzer, the former
field boss of "Team 3" of the Central Field Command drug squad, his
lieutenant Det. Steve Correia, and detectives Joseph Miched, Ray
Pollard, Richard Benoit and Ned Maodus.

All but Maodus were fingerprinted, photographed and charged at 32
Division yesterday morning after they surrendered, accompanied by a
lawyer and union officials. They walked in a rear door without
handcuffs, which a police association spokesman said did not
constitute special treatment since they were surrendering themselves.

Named as unindicted co-conspirators are: Jason Kondo, Greg Forestall,
Jonathan Reid and Mike Turnbull.

Maodus, who has been under virtual house arrest at his parent's
Windsor home for almost two years, was not at 32 Division, but he was
among the six accused when they were ushered into the prisoner's box
of a reserved Scarborough courtroom.

After a 15-minute bail hearing, all six posted sureties of at least
$25,000 and were freed by Justice of the Peace Inderpaul Chandhoke.

Schertzer, a 28-year veteran known among street-level drug dealers as
"Boss John," is charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, three
counts of attempting to obstruct justice, perjury, theft over $5,000,
assault causing bodily harm and extortion.

Correia, Schertzer's reputed deputy, is charged with conspiracy to
obstruct justice, two counts of attempting to obstruct justice, two
counts of perjury, theft over $5,000 and extortion.

Miched faces charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and two counts
each of attempting to obstruct justice and perjury.

CONSPIRACY

Pollard, a 16-year veteran, is charged with conspiracy to obstruct
justice, perjury and two counts of attempting to obstruct justice.

Benoit, a 12-year veteran, is charged with conspiracy to obstruct
justice, assault causing bodily harm and extortion.

Maodus, 40, a cop for 15 years, is charged with conspiracy to obstruct
justice, assault causing bodily harm and extortion and five counts
each of attempting to obstruct justice and perjury.

Maodus was charged Monday with two counts of possession of cocaine for
the purposes of trafficking, another count relating to heroin and
possession of Ecstasy. Police allege they found the drugs on March 22,
2002, one day after OPP arrested Maodus on unrelated charges of sexual
assault, assault causing bodily harm, two counts of assault, uttering
threats and weapons charges.

Maodus, also charged with assaulting a cop in Windsor, has been
suspended with pay since his March 2002 arrest.

The other five turned in their badges and weapons yesterday and were
subsequently suspended from duty with pay.

Notwithstanding yesterday's charges, Toronto lawyer Edward Sapiano
still called for a public inquiry.

"These alleged offences are serious, but not only for police officers,
but because of an underlying illness in the system."

Task force head RCMP Chief Supt. John Neily told a media briefing that
it "never has been, and never will be, acceptable" for police to be
"above the law."

CLEAN RECORDS

Police union head Rick McIntosh emphasized that the accused officers
are deemed innocent until proven guilty. He said they are "all
experienced and very good officers with clean records" and the
allegations are made by "drug dealers and the like."

Mayor David Miller said the charges are sad news.

"We've always been very proud of our men and women in blue ... I think
any stain on the police services is a stain on the reputation of all
of us," Miller said.

Miller said Fantino has assured him every step has been taken to "get
out the rot."

Toronto Police Services Board chairman Alan Heisey, who oversees the
7,000-employee service, said the officers deserve fairness under the
legal process.