INSIDE THE HELLS ANGELS' CLUBHOUSE

Seized Records Give Rare Glimpse

THE public is getting an incredible glimpse at the inner workings of
the Manitoba Hells Angels -- including pictures of their parties,
financial records and detailed minutes of their regular board meetings.

Hundreds of pages of new documents were tendered yesterday at the
trial of a full-patch member, who is facing nine charges, including
extortion, drug trafficking, proceeds of crime and participating in a
criminal organization.

Queen's Bench Justice John Scurfield has approved the release of all
exhibits which are presented to the jury.

People may be surprised at some of the items on the agenda during
their regular clubhouse meetings, which they called "church".

Issues such as 50/50 draws, repairing a broken hot tub, how to deal
with pesky mosquitoes on their property and plans for an upcoming
Halloween party are all discussed and duly noted.

"Pig roast will be done after poker run" reads one notation in a
Hilroy notebook seized during a February 2006 police raid at the home
of a Hells member.

"No more opening the (clubhouse) to the public. Your friends, that's
it," reads another.

Attendance was taken at each meeting, indicating who was late and who
didn't attend. There are also references to members being fined up to
$100 for skipping out on a session.

The paper trail shown in court includes updates on existing problems.
"Look into fogging property" becomes "fogging to be done" a few weeks later.

"Check out hot tub" becomes "hot tub waiting for parts."

Gang business is also discussed, such as buying and selling club
T-shirts, arranging for various "runs" with other chapters and
updates on the status of prospect members.

Jurors are also seeing how the chapter kept detailed records of their
finances and required members to pay their fair share.

There are long lists of who paid their membership dues or made
required contributions to a legal defence fund and "C-95 fund", which
is in reference to federal anti-gang legislation.

The bikers also kept track of all existing bills and bank deposits,
fines and money that was either owing or paid out to members.

"Paid AJ $400 to have trailer fixed in Moose Jaw and gas to get home
from there," says one notation.

"$320 given back from trip to B.C. for gas fund," says another.

"Ernie paid $200 for the fish for fish fry night to be taken off
dues," reads a third.

But the Hells Angels aren't just about work.

Jurors are also seeing how they played, with pictures tendered
yesterday of club functions and parties -- including one gathering
inside their former clubhouse, an old North End church.

There is even video surveillance taken by police of their 2000
patchover ceremony, in which members of existing biker gangs were
absorbed by the Hells Angels. The grainy images show people coming
and going from a Chalmers Street clubhouse.

The public is about to get its first look inside the Hells Angels'
current digs on Scotia Street in Winnipeg, which was the scene of a
raid at the culmination of the year-long undercover investigation.

Police took pictures and video from inside the gang clubhouse, and
the Crown is expected to show them to jurors as early as today.

The trial has been ongoing for nearly two months and is nearing the
end. The Crown is planning to call expert police testimony next week
about the structure of the Hells Angels in attempting to prove the
criminal organization charge against the accused.