Security pass revoked; dad in biker gang

TORONTO — A Federal Court judge has ruled that the government was right to revoke an aircraft mechanic’s security clearance because his father was a member of a motorcycle gang.

The ruling found that Mark Del Vecchio, who previously had clearance to work out of Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, represented a potential safety risk in part due to his association with his father.

The July 18 decision from Justice Glennys McVeigh upheld a prior decision from the minister of Transport, who has the power to grant or revoke security clearance for those with access to sensitive airport areas.

McVeigh agreed with the reasoning that Del Vecchio’s clearance was revoked on several grounds, including association with his father, who is described in the decision as a full-patch member of the Vagabonds motorcycle gang.

The decision says other factors included Del Vecchio’s failure to disclose an alleged domestic incident and inconsistent disclosure of an impaired-driving conviction.

McVeigh’s ruling, however, places most emphasis on the relationship with Del Vecchio’s father.

“Mr. Del Vecchio’s association with his father alone is grounds for cancelling his security clearance,” she wrote in her decision. “Personal involvement with organized crime is not required just association.”

Del Vecchio’s lawyer said the children of bikers ought to have the same rights as others to pursue employment.

“It is impossible to choose who your father is going to be,” said Harry Mann. “Assuming that a biker’s son would in all cases be influenced by the father to compromise the security of aviation is patently unreasonable.” McVeigh disagreed. “The minister does not need to demonstrate that acts of intimidation or threats will happen, rather that they may happen,” she wrote of Del Vecchio’s potential ties to organized crime.

The Federal Court decision said Del Vecchio had been working as a mechanic since 1992 and owns an aviation maintenance business operating out of Pearson.

As part of the job, Del Vecchio was required to have security clearance to work at the airport. The decision said he had successfully applied for and been granted clearance several times over the years.