The firm headed by boxer Yan Pellerin should not obtain a license to organize galas because the combat sports industry in Quebec is still “fragile” and “vulnerable” to the infiltration of “organized crime”, prosecutor Joliane Pilon pleaded.
This is what prosecutor Joliane Pilon pleaded before the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ), Monday, about the firm New Era Fighting & Promotion, which wishes to organize boxing and competition galas. mixed martial arts.
Pilon, who represents the litigation service of the RACJ, reiterated that Yan Pellerin (pictured above) has already had “close links” with members of the Hells Angels, “which should worry” the organization.
She believes that the testimony delivered last week by the athlete turned promoter “is not credible”, having “minimized” his participation in golf tournaments of the Sherbrooke Hells and his trip to Brazil with a member of the motorcycle club, between 2003 and 2009.
According to Joliane Pilon, he “even lied” to the Régie.
Organized crime has already had “the stranglehold” on combat sports, giving rise to the public inquiry commission chaired by Judge Raymond Bernier in 1986.
“It’s not like that anymore, but we must remain vigilant,” she insisted.
In defense of Girard
Pilon also reproached Mr. Pellerin for having “trained” his ex-partner in New Era Fighting, Hugo Girard, to participate in an “arranged” fight a year ago in Montreal, which is prohibited even if the he event was used to fund a good cause.
On Monday, the firm’s lawyers came to the defense of the strongman, whom two members of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) who testified before the RACJ last Wednesday described as having business ties with a Hells Angel and two associated with the bikers.
In an investigation report filed with the Régie, the SQ mentions that a boxing school in which bikers were shareholders held its activities at the training center of the popular host in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, the Hugo Gym.
This information is inaccurate, according to lawyers for New Era Fighting. Since the fall of 2017, the Pro Boxe school has occupied the premises of a building “separate” from the one housing the Hugo Gym.
The SQ report is riddled with “errors” and “severe shortcomings”, according to Messrs. Alexandre Cayer and Simon Girard.
Alexandre Cayer pleaded that Yan Pellerin is “honest” and that he has no criminal record or “contemporary” link with the Hells. Its assets of $ 2.3 million would protect it from any biker influence.
The administrative judges of the RACJ Natalia Ouellette and Marc Savard will render their decision within 90 days.
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Source: Le Journal de Montreal