WEB OF DECEIT?

The Chronicler -- And Admirer -- Of Hells Angels Treads A Fine Line

Operating a biker Web site can be hell when police fear the guy
running it is no angel.

Well, an Angel he is actually -- a Hells Angel.

"But I am not involved in crime," insists the man behind the mystery
of realdealnews.com. "I have a family and a (day) job."

But it's his hobby that has the cops burning. He sometimes goes by
the mock name Bill Paide but in biker and police circles alike he's
known simply as Webmaster.

They all know his real name. He doesn't reveal it because his
employer would not appreciate his ties to a motorcycle club. He
talked with The Sun only by telephone and through e-mail. And the
picture here today, he provided.

During last week's bust there was no one in the information game more
on top of things with updates and stories. He takes a lot of pride in
that fact.

"This Web site is for the many Hells Angels and all bikers that are
not involved in crime, enjoy family, brotherhood, motorcycles, and
the right to the freedom of association guaranteed by our Charter of
Rights and Freedoms," he said.

Fantino Riled

Needless to say just days after police busted 31 bikers and laid 169
criminal charges including trafficking and weapons possession, the
OPP commissioner is not amused. In fact Ontario's top cop Julian
Fantino and his OPP and Biker Enforcement Unit investigators are
watching the daily postings closely.

But Webmaster strongly believes freedom of speech will prevail as he
effectively gets out the other side of the story. It's billed as
Bikers News by Bikers. "Get to the Truth," it says in bold headlines
today. "As Lies become universal, the Truth becomes revolutionary."

Another headline says "Guilty Until Proven Innocent."

But it's the sections vilifying police and justice administrators
that concern Fantino.

"It seems like he's doing counter-intelligence on the police," said
Fantino, who says he doubts the public will buy into the efforts to
turn law enforcement into the bad guys.

It is the bikers, he says, who were found with extensive amounts of
illegal drugs and weapons and it's they who are involved in "organized crime."

But Webmaster argues that charges against the Hells Angels members
are minor and the busting down of the wall of the Eastern Ave.
clubhouse is an example of what is nothing more than a show.

Without information from the "rat" inside the club, he says there
would be no story at all.

He's referring to full-patch member Shaky Dave, who is now in
witness-protection but was on Webmaster's suspicious list for a while.

He said a few weeks ago Shaky went around the clubhouse "asking
everyone for drugs."

Webmaster said drugs were not part of the clubhouse environment and
in February "the Downtown Angels were entertaining a motion to invite
the media into our clubhouse, show what it contained."

But there was one member opposed.

"The motion was defeated when (he) made an impassioned plea to keep
the sanctity of the clubhouse private. 'We shouldn't give up our
right to privacy, it's nobody's business what we do here,'" Webmaster
said, recalling the members agreeing with him. "His argument was
convincing and the motion failed. He was articulate, he was
passionate, he was working for the police."

Webmaster said he was always uncomfortable with Shaky Dave.

"It was like he was trying to get us to say something."

Fink Sought Drugs?

He now wonders, "How many of the charges are founded on conversations
where odd telephone statements went unchallenged or your constant
parading around the clubhouse asking everyone for drugs?"

But Fantino said police did an exhaustive investigation that was as
professional as one can get.

"The Hells Angels, like all other persons charged with a crime in
this country, will have their day in court," Fantino said. "They have
dream teams of lawyers, the best money can retain and I am confident
that they will be well-represented. We, the police, on the other hand
have faith in the system, we work within the parameters of the law
and when all is said and done, have confidence in the integrity of
the painstaking 18-month investigation."

Fantino adds in a matter of time, the bikers will be shown for their
true colours.

"In the end the truth, all the truth, about who is right and who is
wrong will come out," he said. "I know what side of that argument the
police are on and it isn't with the Hells Angels."

But Webmaster sees things differently and will continue operating his site.

Although justice sources say shuting down Webmaster is not a
priority, he still has "one eye on the door all the time waiting for police."

Judging from the bust at the clubhouse last week, he might want to
keep an eye on the walls, too.