Tracy Tyler

Police board's memories vary on escort case

Roy Williams, a commissioner who stepped down temporarily in early Februay, also said he doesn't remember McCormack telling them about Constable Gord Junger's alleged activities. The name Gord Junger "didn't mean anything to me," said Williams, adding that he never missed a meeting.

"I'm not saying it hasn't been brought to the board, I'm just saying I don't remember," he said.

Five commissioners were polled yesterday after Metro Chairman Alan Tonks, himself a police commissioner, said McCormack twice told them about Constable Gord Junger. Junger, 29, was accused of operating an escort service with a call girl who was his live-in girlfriend.

Tonks initially said he couldn't recall McCormack telling them the officer, who worked in 52 Division, was under investigation by the force's internal affairs unit. But he changed his story at a news conference at police headquarters on Monday, telling reporters he had forgotten McCormack had informed the commission in December and again in February.

Junger was videotaped receiving $200 from a woman at a Scarborough hotel Dec. 5. Later that day he was also charged with possession of hashish. The drug charge was dropped, however, and no criminal charges were laid before he left the force March 1.

Commissioner Norm Gardner told The Star he got up to make a phone call during a police commission meeting at which McCormack discussed the Junger case, so he caught only "the tail end" of the chief's briefing. Although Gardner at first said he couldn't recall McCormack discussing the case, "when you start to think about it -- tapes, a guy involved in a sex-ring -- it all comes back."

Police commission chairman June Rowlands isn't commenting on the Junger case, her secretary said yesterday.

All commissioners interviewed with the exception of Eng said they are "completely satisfied" McCormack was open with them about Junger. Eng said she doesn't know enough details about the case to comment.

McCormack did bring the matter to the commission's attention, Commissioner Derwyn Shea said yesterday, but his report was "very brief." "It was fairly crisp, fairly clear, but very sparse," he said. "It wasn't a deep and detailed briefing."

McCormack implied there was "some untoward behavior" on the part of an officer.

Commissioner Stan Makush said yesterday he does remember McCormack raising the issue, but doesn't remember "the escort details." Makush said he doesn't think he understood "the exact nature of what was going on. I remember him (McCormack) beeing concerned about it and my not quite appreciating it. "My recollection was there was nothing clearly illegal."

McCormack told commissioners Junger was on the verge of resigning, Makush added. Had he not resigned, the only way Junger could have been fired was by way of a conviction under the Police Act.