‘Sex, drugs, money’ behind cop’s suicide
Lead investigator in 2013 Hamilton temple arson involved with a crucial informant, watchdog finds
A former lead police investigator probing the 2001 arson of Hamilton’s Hindu Samaj Temple was involved in a cocaine-fuelled sexual relationship with a crucial informant in the case, months before charges were laid in November 2013, according to findings by a police watchdog.
Ian Matthews, a beloved cop known to friends as “Blarney,” walked into Hamilton’s Central police station on Dec. 17, 2013, and killed himself — the day after then-chief Glenn De Caire gave his authorization to notify Matthews he was under investigation for his highly inappropriate — and possibly criminal — relationship with the woman. The relationship between Matthews and the informant, who can be identified under court order only as Jane Doe, is alleged to have included two incidents of sexual assault.
Matthews was also found to have been funneling confidential information about the arson investigation to the woman, even though he was no longer assigned to the case after becoming a uniformed staff sergeant in the central division.
The woman knew the three arson suspects and provided police with vital information about the highprofile case.
A Hamilton Spectator investigation two years in the making now raises serious questions about Matthews’ misbehaviour, how it was handled by police and whether his misconduct compromised the outcome of the temple arson case.
Ramesh Panchal, president of the Hindu Samaj Temple, says he’s now concerned because the information about Matthews was never disclosed to his community by the Crown or police. “This is really explosive, and I am shocked,” said Panchal, who learned of the allegations recently, when contacted by the Spectator.
The three suspects had their arson charges withdrawn in 2014 and accepted deals to plead guilty instead to mischief charges. According to the agreed statement of facts, the incident began at the Hamilton Mosque, where they were drinking and throwing beer bottles at a window. They then drove to the nearby Hindu temple, drank some more and tossed a Molotov cocktail at the door, starting a blaze that burned for some time.
They each received sentences of three years’ probation and 80 hours of community service, and were required to make $10,000 charitable donations.
The Hindu temple, reportedly mistaken for a mosque, was destroyed by fire just four days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Office of Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) has now substantiated several of the complainant’s claims in two investigative reports completed in February after she filed a complaint in 2015.
Following an investigation of Jane Doe’s complaint, the OIPRD determined that Matthews was “engaged in an inappropriate relationship” with her “that involved sex, drugs and money.”
The OIPRD determined there was sufficient evidence to find that Matthews engaged in discreditable conduct and breach of confidentiality. Because Matthews was dead, no further actions were taken.
Jane Doe alleges that on one occasion, Matthews assaulted her sexually with the barrel of his service pistol.
On more than one occasion, she alleges Matthews drove with her to an ATM, withdrew money and gave it to her to buy cocaine. She also alleges she once watched Matthews purchase cocaine from a dealer.
Jane Doe alleges Matthews gave her hundreds of dollars during their brief relationship, which appeared to have come from him personally, and that she was told she would eventually be able to claim a $30,000 reward for her role.
At the time the three men were charged, at least five high-ranking Hamilton police officers — including De Caire, a deputy chief and two superintendents — had been aware for more than a month of the allegations of drug use and an inappropriate sexual relationship between Matthews and the informant.
Kevin McKenna, the Crown attorney who offered the plea deals, was also aware of the allegations against Matthews but says they played “no role in my thinking or in the conduct of this case or in the conduct of the investigation.”
Jane Doe has now launched a lawsuit against Hamilton police and De Caire, which is currently sealed from public view.
McKenna said the defence lawyers were aware of the allegations relating to Matthews — “they knew about them before I did,” he said — and they were discussed during the negotiations between the Crown and the defence.
The Crown attorney is adamant that Matthews’ misconduct with Jane Doe did not compromise the arson investigation. He also said he wasn’t concerned the allegations about Matthews could have become public if the case had gone to trial.
“If it came out, it came out,” said McKenna. “I had no interest in trying to protect his character or his legacy.”
Davin Charney, a Toronto lawyer representing Jane Doe, said he’s deeply troubled with the lack of police transparency. “Why is it left for the victim in all of this to bring to the public’s attention this outrageous police misconduct?” Charney asked.
“If it wasn’t for Jane Doe, no one would even know about this stuff.”