2008; CANCUN OPERATION

My defence:  It was reported that I was part of the Cancun operation investigation; but I have never been charged with any crime related to that operation and I was not involved.  The Crown Prosecutor admitted this to my lawyer at the time, Me Joncas on July 3, 2008.

My action:  In 2010, I have filed an action against the RCMP to withdraw my name from their website.

Supporting documents: Letter from Joncas

May 10, 2008; ARTICLE IN LA PRESSE

My defence:  It was reported that I was part of the Cancun operation investigation, but I have never been charged with any crime related to that operation and I was not involved.  The Crown Prosecutor admitted this to my lawyer at the time, Me Joncas on July 3, 2008.  

Further Allegations: It was reported that I was arrested in Switzerland with 2 Million Euros. Completely false; I was detained at the Swiss border with Italy and the cash I had in my possession was seized; however I have been completely exonerated and the Swiss have returned my accounts. 

My action: I have sent a letter to La Presse demanding a full retraction on their obvious libellous attack on me in their article.
Supporting documents: Letter from Joncas & Swiss Release

May 12 2008; Statements by Serge Menard in the House of Commons

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Mr. Serge Ménard (Marc-Aurèle-Fortin, BQ):  
Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party is developing quite a reputation for not investigating things. During one of their fundraising activities, the Minister of Foreign Affairs posed for a photo with Michael Chamas, who was arrested in Switzerland in 2007 with 2 million Euros, and was then arrested at the end of March in connection with operation Cancun drug and arms raids. This individual was also the subject of a Canada Revenue Agency investigation for unpaid taxes. Yet this man was not just a guest at the fundraiser; he was one of the speakers the Conservatives had invited.

Is that not proof of their carelessness, which has placed ministers in dangerous situations and put them at the mercy of organized crime, which, I would note, has had far more victims in Canada and Quebec than terrorism?

Hon. Maxime Bernier (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC):   

Mr. Speaker, I was photographed with that individual during a public event. There is nothing wrong with a politician being photographed with people when asked. As a matter of fact, former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien was also photographed with the individual in question.

My defence:  Menard status that I was I was arrested in Switzerland with 2 Million Euros. Completely false; I was detained at the Swiss border with Italy and the cash I had in my possession was seized; however I have been completely exonerated and the Swiss have returned my accounts.
Menard states that was arrested in connection with Cancun operation drug and arms raids; but I have never been charged with any crime related to that operation and I was not involved.  The Crown Prosecutor admitted this to my lawyer at the time, Me Joncas on July 3, 2008.

My action:  In 2008, I sent a letter to Menard demanding a retraction of his false statements. He has never replied.
Supporting documents:  Swiss release; Letter from Joncas

end faq