The Legislature Raids

Gee Mary, I wonder who that editor could be? Could it be one who gives one or two word blunt answers. Or tells us something is going to happen that doesn't?
Then explodes when called out on it?
Just wondering.
Or maybe it's conspiracy theorizing?
 

An editor at a major Vancouver newspaper? What about a broadcaster ata major Vancouver radio station?
 

Excellent story Mary! It seems as though Mason has read your to and fro with Lapointe and has done some digging.

In two sentences, he has provided more insight and new information than the Sun has done in 3 years!

Well done Gary Mason, I am sure that the readers from this site (and others) will appreciate the investigative reporting.
 

Hi Mary,

I could be wrong, but…

It seems like some member of the press somewhere brings up the words “conspiracy theorist” just after one of Robin Mathews, hard hiting, this is the way it is, writings.

Could Robin be hitting a nerve?

Could Robin be putting the rest of them to shame?

Could Robin be putting so much pressure on the Campbell government that the dogs are released?

Keep telling it like it is Robin!
 

But wait, the Mr. Mason has more!

He is alleging that the 'secret witness' has information about a 'second' $30,000 that was actually the 'first' 30,000.

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It's in the story....but the dueling $30K, in context, is over at my place.....


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Did the Ledgie Boys talk about this yesterday?....I had to miss their little session on the Watercarrier's Radio show.

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The Gazetteer is on a roll today ... he found another hidden gem in Gary Mason's column. That's to do with the alleged $30,000. bribe -- was it $30,000. one time? or twice? he asks.

So I left a request, too:



Hot news, RossK. The plot is bubbling.

I would appreciate any confirmation of another fascinating paragraph in Gary Mason's column today (Globe and Mail, June 14/0, quote:

"An officer of the legislature, who was the only independent observer of a key meeting between the RCMP and the cabinet minister who ultimately gave the police authority to enter the legislature, recently died after heart by-pass surgery. The defence had planned to put the much-loved sergeant-at-arms Tony Humphreys into the witness box."

So far, I have found no confirmation of this statement.

Anybody?

Thanks, RossK.

And hey, thanks again, Gary Mason.

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Anonymous 9:02,

Thanks for your good thoughts.

I agree, that term "Conspiracy theory" is beginning to wear thin. It has been used way too much, in ridiculous contexts.

Too often it's used simply to discredit an attempt to unravel a public issue which, when you come right down to it, is the duty of every citizen. If we don't do our homework, they have another set of weasel words ready for us: they say that people are apathetic, not interested, don't care.

Use of "Conspiracy theory" says much more about the author or the newspaper than it says about citizens who are genuinely trying to understand the BC Rail Case.

Editors (who write the headlines) should know better. But I checked again and Gary's column did set it up: "There are lots of conspiracy theories" he says "as to why the case has become bogged down ..."

Nothing wrong with folks trying to figure out the BCRail Case, Gary.

Usually, "he who pays the piper" would mean that we, as taxpayers, would be expected to call the tune. Even in B.C., citizens should be respected when they say SOMEthing about such an intensely serious public issue as BCRail.

And come to think of it: why can't we call the tune? Why can't the people of B.C. have a say in how this case moves through the courts?

For starts, I think somebody made a big mistake when they dropped those drugs trafficking charges which originally led police to undertake the raid.

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What basis do you have Mary to state that "a big mistake" was made to drop the drug charges?

The RCMP have a number of issues that have caused cases to be tossed on flimsy evidence.

You need to check your facts and not believe everything the RCMP say as gospel.

Peter K,.
 

Here's another story, published in Westcoast.ca Written By Camille Bains of The Canadian Press.

"......But he pointed out the mass of documentary evidence approaches that of the Air India bombing case because it covers four separate investigations.

They involve BC Rail, drugs, the province's Agricultural Land Commission and a related proceeds-of-crime probe.
.......In the Agricultural Land Reserve investigation, Basi faces four fraud-related charges for allegedly taking $50,000 from developers so a 700-home project near Victoria could proceed with an application to remove protected farmland from the land reserve."
 

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All right, Peter K,. You seem to know a lot about this matter, so can you tell us if Jasmohan Singh Bains has had his case "tossed on flimsy evidence" or, if not, when he comes up for trial?

Thanks.

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Express Collision Shop Said,

NO, IT'S NOT ALL.

Giddy up! Hey now we have some excitement. Don't get me a wondering again.

I have always thought it weird that a couple of journalists are not writing about this mess. The Sun did some very interesting ledge stories a few years back that were rather interesting, and revealing. I will try to find. There was also some strange hirings and firings at the big media offices. The media leaks that Bill talks about in 2006 were quite a concern. Remember the lobbyist's emails that seemed to be offered to every one, media big and small and media types(freelancers too) and the NDP. I think there was concern at the court house over those. I know that a few of the reporters knew and know a hell of a lot more.


I highly recommend a reading of the search warrants to all. That Monday Night Football trip to Denver warrant is short and well...........rather revealing. I wonder about the phone call from the finance minister to Gordo. Will we ever hear that one ? I doubt it. There were rumours way back when that some of the boys were yapping to the media immediatly after the raids. Only rumours from the collision industry that cannot be confirmed. Oh to be a fly on the wall or any other sort of bug.

The Sergeant at Arms one is new to me also. I don't recall reading about that one. Hey Koot, I love the Circ de so elephant and I hope that no animals were abused or injured in the photochopping of this image.
 

I really want you and your bloggers to read this, espescially in light of Gary Mason's column. It's a Bill Tieleman article in the Straight from 2004. In it Bill mentions that $30,000 missing from the BC Young Liberals....plus more details. Even more interesting in his 2004 article (in light of what we know now) is the mention of "The Progressive Group", Kinsella, Christie Clark, Bruce Clark, Peter Brown and their "Payphone" connections to each other and to Paul Martin. The puzzle pieces are fitting more tightly into place. It also makes one see why Bill's office was raided....as he was holding some very good clues years ago in that article. Here's the link ( I know you've probably read it before, as have I, but it is worth the re-read now to see it in light of what is presently surfacing re: The Progressive Group, Bornmann and the Young Liberals ):

http://www.straight.com/print/89
 

Anon-Above.

Thanks!

And I, for one, can't wait for Mr. T. to weigh in on this latest development.

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Mr T. has weighed in -- urgently -- to say that there is a serious error in his original column, which was corrected in the next column.

FROM NEXT COLUMN CLARIFICATION

Former federal Young Liberal president Jim MacLaren was not jailed on charges relating to $30,000 that went missing from that organization's coffers but for other fraud-related offences. We regret any confusion this may have caused.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 

Thanks Mary..... (and Mr. T!)
 

Sure there are dishonest men in local government. But there are dishonest men in national government too.

-- Richard M. Nixon



Who can forget Mr. T's column of Police Raids and BC Rail in 2004?
 

Mary has Peter K. got back to you with information on the "Facts" on the "big mistake in dropping the drug charges"? I mean if he wants to do a spin he should give evidence. That could be done without divulging a source.
 

Mary,

The following will provide you and your readers some context behind the very troubling report by Gary Mason that "...an editor at a major Vancouver daily newspaper may also get towed into this affair."

Allow your readers to understand the history of questionable ethics at one of the Vancouver dailies. My sources are Publiceyeonline and the Vancouver Sun. Feel free to post as a separate item. I am sure that Kirk Lapointe will not be pleased that I have recovered this gem from the past. In my opinion, this is the issue that may be dragged out during the Leg Raid trial, only the editor is not named Wyng Chow.

January 2005

The Vancouver Sun is bringing disciplinary action against real estate business reporter Wyng Chow, Public Eye has learned. The action was taken based on information provided to the Sun's editor-in-chief Patricia Graham via an anonymous phone call she received in early August, say insiders. Newspaper management is reportedly investigating the information further. But those close to Mr. Chow say the reporter, who has worked for the Sun for almost 32 years, is strongly denying any professional wrongdoing. The Canadian Energy and Paperworkers Union Local 2000 is grieving the disciplinary action. Mr. Chow is currently on short-term disability leave and hasn't written for the paper since September. In an interview this morning, Sun managing editor Kirk LaPointe said he couldn't talk about the issue, adding the newspaper has a policy of not discussing personnel matters. Ms. Graham also declined comment.

Here is the headline and a brief excerpt from the Vancouver Sun story by Jeff Lee of Jan. 22/05, p. H2:

Sun alleges reporter's condo deal damaged his and newspaper's integrity

Vancouver Sun reporter Wyng Chow destroyed his own integrity and put the newspaper's credibility in jeopardy by accepting a benefit from a developer he was covering as a real estate reporter, the Sun's lawyer said Friday.

In a final argument before arbitrator Rory McDonald, Donald Jordan said Chow, 56, crossed the line when mixed a personal dispute with Concord Pacific Ltd. with his job as a business reporter. And he said Chow's acceptance of a "deep discount" on a condominium he bought from the company in 2001 showed a "lack of a moral compass" that justified the newspaper firing him last month...

...(Chow's counsel Carolyn Askew) accused the newspaper of engaging in a selective attack on Chow, a 32-year employee, instead of addressing the basis of a telephone tip to editor-in-chief Patricia Graham that included an allegation that Chow had received a "sweetheart deal."

The anonymous tipster complained the newspaper was overly positive in reporting on real estate matters, and accused it of tailoring coverage to drive advertisers to its Homes section.

The tipster named Chow as an example of what was wrong with the newspaper's business coverage.
 

Anonymous 11:41,

Thanks. I do recall that long-ago issue.

But danged if I can see how it connects to the BCRail or Basi Virk affair.

I assume you see where it connects, so could you explain a bit more?

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