Pocklington's U.S. fraud trial postponed
Defence claims it can produce new documents that may clear former Oilers owner
Darcy Henton, Edmonton Journal
Published: Friday, October 23, 2009
A lawyer for former Oilers owner Peter Pocklington says he plans to produce documents that may resolve the fraud charges against his client without having to go to trial.
Brent Romney told The Journal on Thursday he and the U.S. Attorney's office have put off Pocklington's scheduled Nov. 17 jury trial until Jan. 19 so he can produce the documents and give the prosecution time to study them.
"We're in the process of providing the U.S. attorney with a bunch of documents which they didn't have and which we believe demonstrate that Peter Pocklington never had any intention to defraud anybody," Romney said from Riverside, Calif. "The U.S. attorney wants to look at the documents before any discussions we will have regarding whether we can resolve the case."
Romney said the documents include bank records and witness interview statements that the prosecution didn't have when they laid charges last spring.
"We're hopeful the criminal case can be resolved in a prompt manner so the actual bankruptcy proceedings can go forth."
Pocklington has been accused of trying to hide assets from the bankruptcy court.
U.S. Assistant Attorney Sean Lokey, who is prosecuting Pocklington on two counts of bankruptcy fraud, confirmed the case has been postponed to allow the documents to be produced and examined, but said it is too early to say what bearing they will have on Pocklington's case.
"I cannot comment one way or the other on what the documents will purport to show," he said.
Pocklington was arrested March 11 when FBI agents swooped down on his Palm Desert, Calif., home and seized his computer and various documents. He was released March 12 on a $1-million bond put up by his friend, New York Rangers president Glen Sather, but remains under house arrest.
Romney said the bankruptcy proceeding has been stayed until after the criminal charges have been resolved, and it is in everyone's best interests to resume that proceeding.
"It's really the bankruptcy proceedings that precipitated all this," Romney said. "Everyone wants the bankruptcy proceeding to go forward so creditors can be satisfied and debts can be resolved and people can get on with lives," he said.
Pocklington declared bankruptcy in August 2008, claiming debts of $19.6 million and assets of about $2,900, including $300 worth of clothing and shoes and $500 worth of trophies and memorabilia.
Among the creditors is the provincial government, which loaned Pocklington's meat-packing company, Gainer's, $2 million in 1989. The province says that with interest, Pocklington now owes Alberta taxpayers $12 million.
Pocklington, who was born and raised in London, Ont., owned the Oilers when they won five Stanley Cups, including one after he traded hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky.
The former car dealer, who built an empire of food and entertainment companies and at one point owned three Edmonton sports teams, moved to the U.S. in 2002.
dhenton@thejournal.canwest.com
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