Police crackdown indicts 7 men,
12 teenagers on sex charges
WINNIPEG -- Twelve boys have been turned over to juvenile authorities February 20 in the wake of sex charges laid against 7 men. The men included Richard Malone, publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press, and Allen Spraggett, TV host and columnist. Information received by TBP indicates that Winnipeg police are involved in an extensive cover up of a juvenile organization which provided homosexual contacts for a number of wealthy and prominent Winnipeg citizens.
A five-month investigation by police began in the fall. In November Ed Oliverio, 32 arrested for gross indecency, buggery and contributing to juvenile delinquency. Oliverio is a public relations man, and former campaign manager for a Liberal MLA. Three other men appeared in court February 20. Henry Martin, 45, Joseph Savelsbergh, 47, and Thomas Breen, 51 were charged with several counts each of gross indecency and buggery. The same say Allen Spraggett, 46, co-host of the CBC programme "Beyond Reason," writer of the newspaper column "The Unexplained," and an astrologer for a Toronto radio station, was arrested by York Regional Police in his suburban Toronto home. He was later released on the promise to appear in Winnipeg court the following week.
Two days later, Richard Malone, 37, son of Brigadier Malone, the former Globe and Mail publisher and head of FP Publications Ltd., appeared in court charged with buggery and gross indecency. Police also revealed that Winnipeg surgeon Dr. Brian Chambers is being sought on a warrant. TBP has learned that Chambers fled the country several months ago when he learned he was one of twelve men under investigation by the Winnipeg police. He is now reported to be living in Ireland.
All the men were released on bail. None have entered pleas yet, except for Richard Malone who pleaded not guilty.
In an emotional meeting with the staff at Winnipeg Free Press the day after he appeared in court, Malone announced he would take a leave of absence until the charges against him had been dealt with. The paper's circulation department was thrown into havoc, and closed down when operators could no longer handle calls. Many callers canceled subscriptions while others, parents of newspaper delivery boys, were concerned about who their boys were delivering papers for.
the charges against Malone and the subsequent damage to the Free Press's reputation may have political consequences in the upcoming federal election since the newspaper is identified with the Liberal Party. One other accused, Oliverio, also has strong Liberal connections.
The police began investigating a number of juveniles five months ago. Some boys were initially approached on the street "because of the way they behaved." Several were apprehended at the Grey Hound Bus Station, and at least one of the accused was arrested there. With information from these boys, police were able to approach others directly.
TBP has received information that a "juvenile ring" was organized by the youth themselves to supply sexual services at a price. One 14-year-old told police he made over $11,000 on one year. Police deny the existence of any prostitution service, although they admit that some juveniles may have received money as gifts. Other sources within the gay community indicate that, while there may not have been a "sex-for-cash" organization, the boys were "taken care of" by older men.
Sources in Winnipeg have told TBP that the teenagers are all unknown to the gay community, "It's a small town," said one person, "and generally everyone knows who's hustling. No one knows anything about these kids." TBP has learned that some of the boys were residents of the Manitoba Youth Centre, a detention home for delinquents and runaways, while others were from "quite good homes." Police have said that in all cases the parents have been notified.
Rumours of an impending police witch hunt had circulated for several months in the Winnipeg gay community and among journalistic circles. In early January, Peter Warren, a radio personality and columnist with the Winnipeg Tribune, revealed in a series of articles that a police investigation was under way but had not been announced. TBP has learned that Warren had information leaked to him which included a list containing the names of twelve men. The names of seven of the men who would later be charged appeared on the list. The remaining five names belong to prominent professional people in Winnipeg, but apparently there are no politicians involved. Police have told TBP that no more arrests are planned and denied any knowledge of a list of twelve names.
Warren said he has gone to extraordinary lengths to avoid an "Ottawa" situation. Several years ago Ottawa police announced at a press conference the arrests of a number of men for offenses with juveniles. Several of them lost their jobs and one committed suicide. Warren didn't explain how an "Ottawa" situation could be avoided when the media informs the public of names and addresses of the accused.
Police did hold a news conference February 20, the day three of the accused appeared in court. Said Inspector Stephen "We hold a news conference to let the press know what's going on. We waited until we got the report back from the Crown's office telling us to press charges. It came to us Monday. We announced it on Tuesday."
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