Terri Saunders


Local News - Ron Leroux sits at the end of a table covered with photographs of priests, police officers, lawyers and businessmen and casually points out those he says sexually abused children.

In giving a videotaped statement to former city cop Perry Dunlop in December 1996, Leroux appears relaxed, calm and confident in the authenticity of the allegations he's making against men he has claimed this week he never actually saw committing improper acts with minors.

Leroux's demeanour does nothing to bolster claims he's made at the Cornwall Public Inquiry he was manipulated by Dunlop and coerced by the former cop into making false statements ranging from having witnessed a bizarre sexual ritual carried out by a number of men involving young boys to having observed many of the same men in attendance at a meeting.

That meeting has long been purported to have been called by the group of men in an effort to address how they were going to cover up allegations of abuse leveled against them and protect one another's interests.

Leroux admitted this week he had no knowledge of this meeting having taken place, although he did maintain he's seen many of the men in various locations in the past.

On the tape, Dunlop is not seen but his voice can be heard asking Leroux to read a written statement he had provided to the cop earlier and then Dunlop begins asking Leroux a series of questions. Leroux does appear to become emotional at times, particularly when he's reading the written statement, but for the most part appears to be in full control of the things he's saying.

Since he first began testifying Tuesday, Leroux has repeatedly admitted many of the allegations contained in a variety of statements he gave to both Dunlop and OPP officers were false.

Leroux claims his testimony at the inquiry is his chance to "set the record straight," and that he wants to take the blame "for some of this mess."

The inquiry has now adjourned for a summer break and will resume Aug. 13.

Just prior to the start of Friday's hearing, Comm. Normand Glaude spoke about the work that's been accomplished since the inquiry began in February 2006 as well as how things will play out over the coming year.

"I will remind everyone to remember that evidence at an inquiry is provided over a long time," Glaude said. "The full picture is not in place until all evidence is concluded."

Glaude asked everyone involved with the inquiry, as well as members of the community, to not jump to any conclusion about anything they've heard so far until all is said and done.

"It is essential to maintain an open mind until all evidence is received," he said. "As I have said in the past, it is important to be receptive to the full evidentiary record, in all its complexity and consisting of the full range of perspectives."