A Brampton defence lawyer found himself on the opposite side of the courtroom on Wednesday, testifying about why he deserves to be released from jail despite allegations he helped an international drug lord murder an FBI witness.
Deepak Paradkar, 62, is a "substantial" risk to flee Canada if granted bail, Department of Justice attorneys Milica Potrebic and Heather Graham argued on behalf of U.S. prosecutors. The Americans are opposing Paradkar's release, saying that his ties to the alleged billion-dollar transnational drug organization of fugitive ex-Olympian Ryan Wedding make the lawyer a danger to the community, while the prospect of life in U.S. prison makes him likely to flee.
"Mr. Paradkar, it's an unusual position for you to be in the courtroom," Superior Court of Justice Peter Bawden said in court, before inviting Paradkar to testify.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Ontario 'Deepak on it': Unsealed text messages detail Canadian lawyer's alleged role in Ryan Wedding murder plots
Newly unsealed court documents suggest lawyer Deepak Paradkar's alleged involvement is more extensive than previously understood.
Ontario 'Deepak on it': Unsealed text messages detail Canadian lawyer's alleged role in Ryan Wedding murder plots
Newly unsealed court documents suggest lawyer Deepak Paradkar's alleged involvement is more extensive than previously understood.
He appeared in person in the downtown Toronto courthouse, wearing a dark navy suit and sporting a salt-and-pepper beard. He stood in the prisoner's box, sometimes flashing a smile to family in the public gallery, before beginning to argue his case for why he should be released on bail ahead of his extradition hearings.
Among his reasons: That he and his wife, one of his two proposed sureties, are pledging a combined $5 million -- "all of our assets" and "basically, our entire life." The other surety, his wife's cousin, is pledging $250,000.
There is no flight risk, Paradkar said, explaining that he has "no family left in India," nor any contacts there or in any other country.
Fleeing Canada would mean abandoning his wife and daughters, he said -- "I would never do that."
Paradkar, who has been practising law since the mid-90s, is one of eight Canadians arrested last month on U.S. charges for their alleged roles in what authorities are calling the Wedding Criminal Enterprise.
According to the unsealed indictment, Paradkar was known inside Wedding's circle as "Deepaj Emergency" and "cocaine_lawyer" -- an apparent reference to Paradkar's longtime Instagram handle, @cocaine_lawyer.
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On Wednesday, the court heard that Paradkar allegedly helped Wedding by investigating seizures of his drugs, introducing him to trusted drug transportation networks and securing other lawyers to learn if any of Wedding's traffickers were working with law enforcement.
Notably, Paradkar is also alleged to have helped Wedding plot murders against enemies or rivals, including the successful killing of a key co-operating witness, Jonathan Acebedo Garcia. If the FBI's star witness could not testify against Wedding at trial, Paradkar allegedly told him, the charges would be dismissed. But they weren't.
Authorities say Wedding placed a bounty of up to $5 million on Acebedo Garcia's head. The 42-year-old Montreal native was shot five times at a restaurant in Medellin, Colombia, on Jan. 31.
Deepak Paradkar's 'very stringent' bail plan
During Paradkar's testimony, the court heard of his family background, the horrible conditions he says he has experienced while in custody and the "very stringent" bail plan he is proposing ahead of his extradition hearing.
The plan would require him to follow strict conditions involving house arrest and a GPS monitor. It would prohibit Paradkar from using any electronic devices, including his laptop and cellphone, with the exception that he can use his wife's phone in her presence and to contact certain family members.
He is also proposing to hand over his passport to the RCMP following his release.
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Paradkar's wife of 32 years, Mandy Paradkar, testified that she understood and accepted the responsibilities of being a surety, and she vowed to call police if Paradkar were to breach any of his conditions. The allegations against him are serious, Mandy acknowledged, expressing that it's been a "very difficult" time for her and their family.
U.S. authorities allege Paradkar was compensated for his work via bulk cash drops in Toronto and with luxury items, like watches. In one text message exchange, Wedding allegedly told his second-in-command: "If it works out well, we'll get him a sick watch."
Court documents show that the evidence against Paradkar is largely based on statements from a co-operating witness -- not Acebedo Garcia -- and a series of messages obtained from a phone belonging to Canadian Andrew Clark, Wedding's alleged right-hand man. He was arrested in Mexico last year and remains in custody in California.
Ontario Brampton 'cocaine lawyer' has licence suspended, will 'vigorously defend' allegations he helped Ryan Wedding murder an FBI witness
"I think it's important to state that Mr. Paradkar denies the allegations, maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously defend against the
Ontario Brampton 'cocaine lawyer' has licence suspended, will 'vigorously defend' allegations he helped Ryan Wedding murder an FBI witness
"I think it's important to state that Mr. Paradkar denies the allegations, maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously defend against the
Paradkar is charged in the U.S. with offences that include conspiracy to commit murder and engaging with a criminal enterprise.
The claims against Paradkar sent shock waves through GTA legal circles and prompted the Law Society of Ontario earlier this month to temporarily suspend Paradkar's license.
His lawyer, Ravin Pillay, told a Law Society panel last week that while his client accepted the interlocutory application to suspend his license, Paradkar denies the allegations against him and will "vigorously defend" against the charges.
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More than two dozen people attended Wednesday's hearing, including Paradkar's relatives, lawyers and a few media reporters. The matter was delayed an hour due to a preliminary issue raised by the Crown.
After speaking with the lawyers in confidence, Justice Bawden told the court he would seal some materials filed as part of Paradkar's bail application. Those documents contain information that "may endanger someone if they were to be public," he said.
Bawden said the case involves allegations of violence and witnesses whose safety must be ensured. "Co-operating witnesses, people involved in investigation, must be protected," he said.
Conditions inside the Toronto jails
During Paradkar's testimony, the court heard of Paradkar's medical needs -- he requires extensive medication for his diabetes and heart disease -- and the "difficult" conditions he faced at the Toronto South Detention Centre.
He was arrested on Nov. 18 and spent three days at Toronto South before being transferred to another jail. Upon arrival, Paradkar said he was advised by multiple correctional officers that the institution could not guarantee his safety. He asked to be placed on a medical or protective custody range.
In his affidavit, Paradkar said he was then moved into a "super maximum-security" range and went into lockdown for almost the entirety of three days.
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The first time it was lifted, Paradkar said he witnessed a violent altercation between two groups, some wielding makeshift knives. Multiple people were stabbed. "I was in fear for my life," he said.
Court also heard that Paradkar was repeatedly denied requests for a toothbrush, a shower and a change of clothes. The vent in his cell constantly blew cold air on his face and chest.
"You're given a single sheet, no blanket," he told court.
Among other things, Paradkar said he was also denied a visit with his lawyer and did not receive medical attention from a doctor until a day after a judge endorsed his request.
On Nov. 21, he was transferred to the Toronto East Detention Centre. He said correctional officers told him the reason for the transfer was that the Toronto South "could not ensure my safety."
"I have felt unwell since my arrest," he said in an affidavit. "I am concerned that my health will continue to decline if these conditions persist."
Paradkar's bail hearing is set to continue later this week.