Lawyer, jeweller waive hearing

Money laundering trial could start in January ‘Sensible’ to skip preliminary, Greenspan says

In an unusual legal move, a prominent Toronto lawyer and a local jeweller charged with money laundering have waived their right to a preliminary hearing and could have a trial date set as early as January.

Peter Shoniker, a well-connected former Crown attorney, and Babak ( Bobby) Adeli Tabrizi, a Toronto jeweller, were to begin a four- week preliminary hearing on Monday. But lawyers for the two men informed the judge yesterday in an Old City Hall courtroom that their clients were waiving their right to the preliminary inquiry on several charges, including laundering the proceeds of crime. The judge then remanded the case to January in the Superior Court of Justice where a date will be set for a pre- trial hearing. What happens after that is still undecided, said Eddie Greenspan, who along with David Humphrey, is defending Shoniker. The veteran trial lawyer laid out three scenarios that could happen in the next few months: a trial by judge alone, a trial with judge and jury, and a “ possible resolution without a trial.”

“ Every option will be explored,” Greenspan said.

Forgoing a preliminary inquiry is unusual and Greesnpan said “ as a rule” he doesn’t waive such hearings, which gives the defence the chance to cross- examine witnesses and see the strength and weaknesses of a Crown’s case beyond just disclosure. But Greenspan said in somecases where there are not a lot of witnesses it’s “ sensible” to skip the preliminary hearing. The case involving his client and Tabrizi is based largely on documents and police wiretaps with few live witnesses, Greenspan said.

Shoniker and Tabrizi were arrested in June 2004 following a sting operation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Police allege an undercover officer handed over $ 750,000 to an individual. The money was to be transported through several other countries and into the U. S., the police alleged at the time the charges were laid. The arrest of Shoniker sent shockwaves through the legal community and in political circles. Shoniker has an impressive resume and is considered a behindthe- scenes dealmaker.

In 1999, he was credited with helping lead the charge to get Julian Fantino the job of top cop in Toronto.