Dunlop's former lawyer evasive while answering inquiry questions

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

27 October 2007

Posted By Greg Peerenboom

Perry Dunlop's former counsel was evasive while lawyers cross-examined him to flesh out his alleged role in assisting the investigation undertaken by the former Cornwall cop.

"The statements that you (made in a Dunlop lawsuit) have caused great damage to the community," said David Sherriff-Scott.

Facing him on the witness stand was Charles Bourgeois, the sole witness Friday at the Cornwall Public Inquiry.

While Bourgeois repeatedly claimed he could recall few details, he admitted "that, in retrospect, I would do things differently now."

At one point, he conceded that he would be further "embarrassed" as he continued to give hazy recollections of his role. Sherriff-Scott, the lawyer for the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic diocese, and other lawyers repeatedly questioned Bourgeois' specific actions.

Bourgeois had been retained during the mid-1990s by Dunlop, the whistleblower into long suspected child abuse allegations in Cornwall and area.

Much of Bourgeois' testimony reflected on documents he made in preparation of Dunlop's multi-million dollar lawsuit. The action, against a number of individuals and organizations, alleged there was a conspiracy to cover up decades of child abuse and the alleged existence of the notorious "clan of pedophiles."

Sherriff-Scott especially focused on Bourgeois' interaction with Ron Leroux, who would provide crucial information about the alleged circle of pedophiles.

Sheriff-Scott asked if Bourgeois would be concerned about Leroux's account of events, especially when he learned that Leroux had also been accused of being an abuser.

"No, it's like that with any witness," the Newmarket lawyer said, explaining his acceptance of Leroux's information.

Leroux, last June, refuted a long held view that he had witnessed "bizarre" sexual rituals performed on young boys by a group of local citizens with high standing in the community.

Leroux also had made the claim while being questioned in 1997 by the Ontario Provincial Police. Leroux was excused last summer by Comm. Normand Glaude from cross-examination due to health reasons.

At one point, Cornwall Community Police Service counsel John Callaghan tried to link Bourgeois with the "clan of pedophiles" assertion.

Callaghan said Bourgeois had been in contact with a U.S. lawyer, experienced in suing the Catholic church.

The U.S. lawyer had made reference to a Papal directive to keep secret a U.S. "cult" of pedophiliac priests which had ties to the Cornwall "clan."

As usual, Bourgeois repeated a familiar, vague tone, as he did to many queries - that he couldn't recall accurately the events of 11 to 12 years ago.

Callaghan also pointed out discrepancies between observations made by Leroux that were later altered in Bourgeois' work in the lawsuit. Callaghan wanted to know if Bourgeois was confident that he had correct information to proceed with the lawsuit

"You're not a sloppy lawyer?"

"I don't know how to answer that," Bourgeois said.

Sherriff-Scott had also criticized Bourgeois on why Dunlop sent "a package" on sexual abuse allegations to OPP top boss Julian Fantino, then chief of London police.

Attorneys for some parties have questioned these actions, knowing that a lawyer should work within the legal system.

In past court testimony, Dunlop had indicated he had faith that Fantino would take some action. Fantino did pass on the information to the Ontario attorney general's office, which later ordered the Project Truth investigation.

Bourgeois is expected to return for more cross-examination on Monday when the inquiry resumes at 12:30 p.m. Fantino is expected to appear at the inquiry on Thursday.