Porn investigation broadens
Other suspects identified, say police

by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 4/97) - The investigation into videotapes found at the Gold Range Hotel could implicate other Yellowknife men who may also have had sex with young girls for money, police say.

RCMP Cpl. Mac Eaton said Wednesday that the investigation has moved beyond poker baron Wing Lee, who was first arrested May 30 when police busted the Five Aces Social Club.

Lee, 61, is currently facing 26 charges ranging from firearms and gambling offences to numerous sex-related crimes.

"This investigation will continue into the fall when we will be looking at other individuals who have engaged in the past in sexual activity with girls under the age of 18 for money," he said.

"The investigation in the fall will focus on other individuals besides Wing Lee."

Eaton also said that police finished viewing all 1,300 videotapes on Tuesday.

The officers also looked at 28 eight-millimetre tapes depicting the same types of scenes as the videotapes.

Police are in the process of identifying two other girls they believe to be under the age of 18 who they viewed on the second half of the tapes. They are also waiting to talk with one other girl they've identified to be underage.

In total, eight or nine girls have been identified on the tapes as being under the age of 18, said Eaton.

Lee remains in custody until his court appearance today where lawyers are expected to agree on a date for a preliminary hearing into Lee's 27 charges.

That hearing will determine whether or not the Crown has enough evidence to warrant a trial.