by Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 22/97) - For the second time in as many months, the Yellowknife Women's Centre is petitioning Andy Scott, solicitor general of Canada, to hold a public inquiry into possible political involvement in illegal activities at the Gold Range Hotel.

"I've requested a meeting with the solicitor general," said Arlene Hache, executive director of the centre.

Hache was turned down by Scott earlier this month.

Hache said she is dissatisfied with the way RCMP handled their investigation of Wing Lee, stating in the letter to Scott that police have been either unwilling or unable to "approach this matter in an unbiased manner."

Hache is petitioning for a public inquiry rather than an internal investigation conducted by the RCMP Public Complaints Commission for a number of reasons, including an allegation that RCMP are covering up high-profile citizens and MLAs who may have frequented the gambling den.

Also, Hache would like to know why it took police well over a decade to raid the Lee's Five Aces Social Club.

"It is the position of the Yellowknife Women's Centre that if the RCMP could search the Gold Range Hotel to look for gambling and gaming evidence in 1997, they could have done so two, five, seven, 10 or 15 years ago if they had been so inclined," said Hache in her letter to Scott.

The RCMP have stated that they are satisfied that offences identified in the past were investigated and determined to be unfounded.

Wing Lee was scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing relating to gambling and weapons charges Aug. 21, but the matter was delayed to today because an unrelated court matter required extra court time.

The preliminary hearing into the gambling charges is estimated by both crown and defence lawyers to take at least one day to complete.

A preliminary hearing for pornography and sex charges is scheduled to be conducted Sept. 3. In total, Lee is facing at least 30 weapons, gambling, pornography and sex charges.