Gang leader to be released from jail

OFF THE WIRE
By Paul Cherry, Montreal Gazette July 27, 2010 Despite showing little progress toward rehabilitation while serving the past eight years behind bars, Gerald (Gerry) Matticks is scheduled to be released long before the end of his 12-year prison term.

Matticks, reputed to be a leader in the West End Gang, will reach his statutory release date on Aug. 6, the two-third mark of the sentence he received in 2002 after pleading guilty to several charges related to multi-million dollar drug smuggling conspiracies carried out through the Port of Montreal.

Because he was previously turned down for parole, twice, Matticks automatically qualifies for a release under federal sentencing laws. The National Parole Board was recently left with the sole option of releasing him and imposing strict conditions on Matticks's release, despite being advised he made "no particular progress and (has) gained no significant insight into (his) criminal involvement in the (drug smuggling) offences."

Matticks, worked at the port during the 1970s and he wielded considerable influence there while he was snared in a police investigation into how the Hells Angels handled the millions of dollars they made while controlling a large share of drug trafficking in Montreal. Money secretly flowed through apartments in Anjou that the biker gang used as banks, complete with safes, money counters and a computerized accounting system. When the police figured out their accounting system they noticed large amounts of money were being paid to an account belonging to Matticks.

Investigators later learned Matticks was using his influence at the port to help the Hells Angels get hundreds of kilograms of cocaine through. It was alleged during subsequent trials, involving members of the Hells Angels, that Matticks made $13 million in 2000 alone while he helped the biker gang. Matticks denied this during a parole hearing in 2009.

Now, according to a written summary of the parole board's decision to impose conditions, Matticks, 70, wants to "withdraw" to a farm he owns when he is released. His case management team advised the parole board that they "are not convinced that (Matticks) will not be tempted to resume (his) criminal activities once back in the community." They also described his release plan a "rather vague and unstructured." Because of this, the parole board has required that Matticks supply a financial accounting of his revenue and expenses to a parole officer during the remaining four years of his sentence.

He is also required to complete a "community skills maintenance program" and to avoid meeting with anyone he believes might have a criminal record.

pcherry@thegazette.canwest.com
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