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	Bishop Case Isn’t Closed By Patricia Brooks Arenburg The Chronicle-Herald October 8, 2009 http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1146601.html Nova Scotia RCMP are investigating Bishop Raymond Lahey to see if he will face further charges here. RCMP in this province have been assisting Ottawa police with their investigation into child pornography charges involving the former head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish. "Based on information we received from them (Ottawa police), we opened up our own investigation," said Sgt. Brigdit Leger, an RCMP spokeswoman. Ottawa police sent materials from their investigation to Nova Scotia RCMP for review. The initial investigation stemmed from the Sept. 15 seizure of the cleric’s laptop computer by Canada Border Services Agency officers at Ottawa International Airport. "At this point in time, the investigation is resting with our child exploitation unit," Sgt. Leger said. The unit is responsible for investigations related to child pornography and the exploitation of children over the Internet, including luring. Sgt. Leger confirmed that no charges have been laid but refused to say whether police here have received tips and leads from the public. Anything "relating to the specifics of the chain of investigation that were taken, I wouldn’t be able to discuss with you," she said. She did, however, repeatedly say that "every avenue of investigation, anything that we have received, we are completely exploring." When it came to searching for evidence, such as at the bishop’s home or office in Antigonish, she again refused to comment, citing the "ongoing investigation." If it is deemed necessary, Sgt. Leger said, investigators will apply to a judge for the proper warrants to search for evidence in the case. There’s no indication that any of the images allegedly discovered on the bishop’s computer involved local children, Sgt. Leger said. But "investigations like this are very sensitive to the police," Sgt. Leger said. "We realize the images on the other end of those (types of) photos, those young children, they’re victims of child sexual abuse. Nothing short of." The bishop is scheduled to return to Ottawa court on Nov. 4 to face one count each of possession and importation of child pornography. Until then, he is free on $9,000 cash bail and a number of conditions. He was ordered to avoid any place where people children under 18 may frequent and cannot be alone with anyone under 18 unless the young person’s parent is present. The judge also ordered him not to delete any records of Internet activity and barred him from possessing or using a computer system, using webcams or external hard drives, possessing software to encrypt or hide data, possessing software designed to eliminate evidence of Internet activity, possessing anything that helps store digital media, accessing the Internet in any way (including chat rooms, Twitter, among a long list of services) or being anywhere where he can use Internet services for free. He also had to surrender his passport and must report his whereabouts to police. Although court documents state that he was to reside at Les Peres Trappistes in Rogersville, N.B., the monastery later announced he wouldn’t be staying there. A television station reported that Bishop Lahey checked in with the RCMP in Rogersville on Wednesday as scheduled. The bishop will not be staying at the monastery. A source said a Halifax security company was guarding Bishop Lahey’s home in Antigonish round-the-clock. The source could not confirm reports that the house had been vandalized since news broke of the bishop’s legal problems. With Eva Hoare, staff reporter Contact: pbrooks@herald.ca
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