A man in Toronto, caught in a widening investigation linked to fugitive Ryan Wedding, is fighting to keep the identities of his potential bail supervisors secret. Rolan Sokolovski’s legal team has filed a request with the court, arguing that revealing their names could put them at significant risk.
The case stems from a large-scale FBI investigation targeting Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder now accused of leading a violent international drug trafficking operation. Sokolovski is among several Canadians facing extradition to the United States to answer to charges related to the alleged criminal enterprise.
American authorities claim Sokolovski, a dual citizen of Lithuania and Canada, wasn’t just a bystander. They allege he actively laundered drug money for the organization and used those funds to purchase luxury goods for Wedding himself.
Sokolovski’s lawyer, Scott Fenton, forcefully argued that identifying the proposed sureties would expose them to “great dangers,” hinting at potential repercussions from those connected to the case. The court is now weighing the balance between protecting individuals and public transparency.
Prosecutors countered that there’s currently no evidence to suggest any threat to the sureties. They believe keeping their identities confidential would unfairly limit public understanding of the court’s decision regarding Sokolovski’s potential release.
The judge is expected to deliver a ruling on the anonymity request Monday, coinciding with the start of Sokolovski’s bail hearing. The decision will set the stage for the proceedings and potentially reveal more about the scope of the alleged criminal network.
Beyond the alleged money laundering, court documents paint a picture of Sokolovski as a man of diverse, and potentially illicit, professions. He’s described as a professional poker player, a jeweller, and someone who procured goods for the organization.
The U.S. Treasury Department has already levied sanctions against Sokolovski, accusing him of overseeing the organization’s financial records and laundering drug proceeds through his jewelry business. The allegations are deeply troubling, suggesting a central role in the operation’s financial infrastructure.
Perhaps most chillingly, Sokolovski is accused of commissioning a “bejewelled necklace” that served as payment to a hitman. This hitman allegedly provided crucial information that facilitated the murder of a federal witness, directly linking Sokolovski to a violent act.
Ryan Wedding remains at large, believed to be hiding in Mexico, and is now listed as one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives. The investigation continues to expand, revealing a complex web of connections and alleged criminal activity.
This isn’t the first bail hearing in this case. A Toronto-area lawyer, Deepak Paradkar, also accused of a key role in Wedding’s enterprise, was recently granted bail under strict 24/7 house arrest. His wife and a relative have agreed to act as his sureties.
Paradkar’s alleged involvement is particularly disturbing. He’s accused of advising Wedding on the witness murder, introducing the former athlete to drug traffickers, and even directing intelligence gathering efforts after drug seizures by law enforcement. The case continues to unravel, revealing a sophisticated and dangerous criminal operation.
