Three of goalie Theodore's relatives plead guilty in loansharking case

[Louis Cypher]

Canadian Press

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

MONTREAL (CP) - Three half-brothers of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore pleaded guilty Monday to reduced charges stemming from a loansharking case.

Rock Theodore, 30 and Ted Theodore Jr., 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy while Frank Theodore, 44, admitted to a count of charging illegal interest rates. Sentencing arguments will begin on April 4. Authorities also seized $650,000 from the Theodore family including a cheque for $540,000 for having lived off the proceeds of crime.

The father, Ted Theodore Sr., and his son Nicky, another half-brother of the star goaltender, pleaded guilty in December to charges of loansharking and possessing a restricted weapon.

Ted is to be sentenced Feb. 15 and the Crown has asked for a two-year suspended sentence. The defence has said a $30,000 fine is sufficient.

Wiretaps presented in court indicate Ted controlled every aspect of the business while his sons acted as collectors.

There was no evidence violence was used and the Crown has acknowledged it couldn't make a strong case for prison time.

Jose Theodore, who was not charged, has said he supports his family but he has refused to discuss details of the case. Police said he was not part of the investigation.

Most of the 124 original charges against the family, including counts of gangsterism, have been dropped as part of the plea-bargain.

During sentencing arguments Monday, the Crown said the 71 year-old father provided small, short-term loans of under $10,000 from a barber shop in the city's east end over a 20-year period.

Gamblers, some of whom were in financial trouble, were charged illegal interest rates on loans, said police. Victims borrowed amounts ranging from $1,000 to tens of thousands of dollars.

One client being charged $400 in interest per week on an $8,000 loan.

Other branches of the operation provided loans from the Montreal casino, where a client once borrowed $1,000 and was required to pay $1,100 the very next day.

Those who didn't pay back the money were threatened with violence, but police said the threats were not carried out.