BC Legislature Raids
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The "BC Legislature Raids" is the term used to describe the search warrants executed on the Legislature of British Columbia in 2003. It has taken over two years for even only part of all the information relating to this search to be released to the public. The proceedings of the hearings so far remain under a court ban on publication, and among the most controversial aspects of the case is its ongoing secrecy. Questions of warrant legality and comments made on the case by the Attorney-General, Wally Oppal, and other matters have raised the possibility of a mistrial.
During this time rampant speculation and conspiracy theories thrived as political observers and online commentators attempted to determine why these searches took place. There are some who have charged others have used this situation for their own political advantage by slandering individuals and organizations not targeted in the police investigation.
Finally in December 2004 three men were charged in connection with this investigation and in 2006 two more men were charged. The trial is due to commence in B.C. Supreme Court March 2007.
Those charged include:
- David Basi
- Robert Virk
- Aneal Basi
- Tony Young
- James Duncan
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[edit] Drug Sting "Everywhichway" leads to Government Aides
According to the RCMP, the Raids initially began as a drug sting. In 2003, the RCMP were monitoring Dave Basi's conversations on his home, government, and cellular phones, as well as his e-mails. At that time the police were focused on breaking up a marijuana and cocaine smuggling ring between British Columbia and Ontario.
During the police investigation of Basi's activities investigators became interested in Basi's dealings as Ministerial Assistant to then Finance Minister Gary Collins. A second investitation was launched that had no connection to drug related activities.
On September 29, 2004, a series of warrants were executed to search various locations throughout the Lower Mainland and in Victoria. There were four separate applications by the RCMP in 2004 to obtain search warrants. According to the CBC, warrants were executed at nine separate premises.
[edit] Sale of BC Rail Deal information
On April 3, 2006, a Justice of the British Columbia Supreme Court ordered the further release of various documents used by police to obtain the search warrants served on individuals linked to the Raids. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation,
Further charges were laid against to Victoria area developers.
[edit] Agricultural Land Commission connection
Basi has also been charged for accepting $50,000 in connection with the Agricultural Land Commission.
[edit] Liberal Insiders
Several of the players in the story surrounding the Raid are Liberal insiders, either federally or provincially, including Mark Marissen, husband of ex-Deputy Premier Christy Clark, and Erik Bornman. Bornman is a communications analyst and articling lawyer known as the "Spiderman" because of his climbing into party offices after hours, as well as principal in the case David Basi. Basi in particular is associated with the Martin campaign in British Columbia. This has led to rampant speculation and inuendo as government critics attempt to link Basi's activities to federal and provincial politicians and operatives. Part of this speculation is fuelled by comments made to the media at the time of the raids by the officer in charge, that organized crime and corruption were present in "the highest levels of the government".
[edit] Legality of Warrants
Complications in the case included controversy as to whether the police may have misled a judge in the course of obtaining warrants for the investigation which involved eavesdropping on conversations between the Premier and the Finance Minister. Twice the warrants were rejected on grounds of privilege, with the third warrant issued without naming the premises, which were the Legislature Buildings.
[edit] Comments by Attorney-General
[edit] External Links
[edit] National News Coverage
- [1] Yahoo (Arpil 3, 2006) "Campbell says government officials not involved in latest corruption charges" (Outlines information on new Agricultural Land Commission information)
[edit] The Players and Government Background Info
- [2] Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (January 14, 2004) "Who's Who in the BC Legislature Raids"
- [3] omniTRAX Corporate Website
- [4] Government of British Columbia "Backgrounder on BC Rail Deal" (Sets out what is at stake)
- [5] Liberal Party of Canada (BC) - Lists Bruce Clark as Director of Finance for the Provincial Executive
[edit] News sites and blogs
- The Legislature Raids Blog (BC Mary]
- The Tyee, BC politics magazine (several articles and forums)
