A woman willing to vouch for a man accused of laundering vast sums from drug trafficking admitted in court she knew remarkably little about his business. She offered to supervise him if released on bail, yet couldn’t detail the source of his income or the specifics of his ventures.
The witness, shielded by a publication ban, testified in a Toronto courtroom during the bail hearing of Rolan Sokolovski. She acknowledged he was a luxury goods broker and owned a company called Diamond Tsar, but her understanding of his operations remained vague.
She couldn’t pinpoint where Sokolovski conducted business, his annual earnings, or the identities of his clientele. Her knowledge was limited to a “general nature” of his work, a startling admission given her willingness to take responsibility for his supervision.
Sokolovski is entangled in a complex case linked to Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympian now accused of leading a violent criminal network. This organization allegedly smuggled cocaine from Colombia into Canada via Mexico and the United States.
Prosecutors contend Sokolovski wasn’t merely a businessman, but a crucial figure in the drug ring, responsible for laundering hundreds of millions of dollars. The alleged scheme involved cryptocurrency, luxury goods, and his jewelry business.
The accusations extend to a chilling detail: court documents suggest Sokolovski crafted a lavish necklace as a reward for a hitman. This hitman allegedly provided information that facilitated the murder of a federal witness, deepening the gravity of the charges.
The first proposed surety testified she only learned of the allegations after Sokolovski’s arrest. She then sought information through news reports and U.S. government websites, but remained cautiously dismissive, labeling the claims “just allegations.”
Another woman, also prepared to act as a surety, stated unequivocally she would immediately contact the police if Sokolovski violated any bail conditions. Her commitment underscored the seriousness with which the court is treating the case.
Sokolovski’s proposed release plan involves residing with three sureties, with a fourth living nearby. His legal team has yet to outline specific conditions they would propose if bail is granted, leaving many details uncertain.
Two additional proposed sureties are scheduled to testify, and a hearing is set for next week where lawyers will present their arguments. The fate of Sokolovski, and the extent of his alleged involvement, hangs in the balance.
The Crown’s questioning on Monday focused intensely on Sokolovski’s finances, scrutinizing his tax records, business statements, and earnings from poker and cryptocurrency trading. The financial investigation aims to uncover the full scope of his alleged money laundering operation.
Justice Peter Bawden issued a ruling to protect the identities of Sokolovski’s proposed sureties, citing concerns for their safety. This decision underscores the potential danger surrounding the case and the need to shield those connected to it.
