York, the Police department of Canada was forced, after a gambling-related raid, to drop charges against the mansion owner in Markham.
The move came after the police were discovered that their actions were incorrect, according to reports.
According on the attorney’s statements defending the owner of the mansion, York Regional Police (YRP) agents allegedly plant evidence — a gun — and stole costly watches from the bedroom of the owner when the property was searched last July.
A Patek Philippe is one watch. Its worth is around $300,000. The second is a gold-faced Jaeger-LeCoultre. It’s worth about $150,000. Both are still missing, news reports claim.
According to a report by Postmedia News of Canada, authorities have violated the attorney’s privilege. During the investigation an officer reportedly took photos of documents from the attorney of the mansion owner.
Project Endgame was the investigation into the allegedly illegal gaming activity. The mansion’s owner, identified as Wei Wei, 52, was later arrested, as were his ex-wife and daughter.
The report said. the charges against the trio were dropped following the allegations about police misconduct.
According to the Postmedia News, Danielle Robitaille, an attorney for Wei, wrote to the regional Ontario Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) that “In the course of our work defending Mr. Wei, we uncovered troubling evidence pointing to instances of serious police misconduct, including conduct that, if proven, would amount to criminal offenses.”
The letter added that “Members of the YRP appear to have stolen two watches belonging to Mr. Wei, valued at approximately $450,000, while executing a search warrant.”
The letter also claimed that “Members of YRP appear to have planted evidence, namely a gun holster, in a room associated with Mr. Wei while executing the same warrant; and the investigative team breached Mr. Wei’s solicitor-client privilege in their execution of a subsequent warrant.”
Defense Attorney Wants Independent Inquiry
The attorney wants to see an independent inquiry. York police said they are conducting their own review.
Robitaille claimed in her letter that given the way YRP made a significant public spectacle of the results of their investigation in Project Endgame, and their continued communication with media while the charges were outstanding, we have grave concerns that the internal investigation into this troubling misconduct will fail to adequately probe the case.”
According to the CBC report, local cops claim Wei and Robitaille are uncooperative. That is delaying the inquiry.
Wei stated that he would not enter a two years unlicensed gambling operation under the agreement with the authorities.
The report said that he also “gave up his interest in the mansion, $960,000 in cash and gaming equipment seized by police.”
Previously, wei met at least two times a few years ago with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Over CAD 1 million (US$ 752,080) was seized by cops during the raid. There were thousands of ammunition round and 11 firearms. Weapons included a 30-round AR-15 rifle and a 9-mm Glock handgun found in the operator’s bedroom, respectively.
In the basement of the mansion a “fully-operational casino” was found, added the police. The betting limits on the tables were “extremely high.”
CBC said that cases against five others arrested in connection with the raid are still pending in courts. Initially, 29 arrests were made in the case.
Mansion Now For Sale
The mansion is now up for sale. The cost is 9,980,000 dollars.
There are 53 rooms in the 20,000sqm mansion. Within the mansion, baccarat, mahjong and poker games were the high stakes sites.
The delicacies were served to players, with abundant luxury, with high price wine and liquor, and braised shark fins.
