http://www.walnet.org/csis/news/halifax_99/cbc-990412.html
CBC.CA
Tuesday, April 13, 1999
HALIFAX — In Nova Scotia, some men who were sexually abused as boys by their probation officer are having to come to grips with new information.
A CBC News investigation has found the government had warnings of problems with Cezar Lalo, but did not stop him.
A paper trail of memos, e-mails and scrawled notes shows there was no system to catch the signals.
Even after a mentally disabled boy complained to police, the civil service allowed Lalo to continue working alone with children.
Lalo has since been convicted of seven sex crimes and faces 135 more.
That mentally disabled boy who first went to the police is nearly 40 now. When he was a foster child, Lalo was his social worker.
Police believe Lalo abused the boy from age 12 to 22. They never laid charges because they didn't think the boy would be a good witness.
The man finally told a neighbour, who took him to police. February 1989, the RCMP told a senior official in the provincial department of community services about the investigation.
An internal memo reveals that official didn't tell anyone else in the department for four months. It took another two months before Lalo was moved to a job that didn't involve children.
During those six months Lalo kept meeting with his clients, often behind a locked office door.
This was not the first time officials in the department had heard concerns about him.
CBC News has found documents from a decade earlier. There's a record that senior officials spoke to Lalo after a mother complained Lalo had put his hand down her son's pants.
Other complaints are not as specific. There were calls from parents upset that Lalo talked to their son about how male prostitutes make money, or taking their son for drives alone at night.
But Lalo's job evaluations don't reflect those concerns. There's one glowing rating after another.
It doesn't appear that the department had a system to track the complaints.
Kevin Stacey says if there had been, his life might have been different. In 1981 he was sent to Lalo for counselling. By then, the department had received at least five complaints on Lalo.
"I feel robbed of my youth over something that could've been avoided. He took part of my life away and the fact that could've been avoided offends me. Isn't government here to help us? "
Lalo has been convicted of forcing Stacey to perform oral sex.
Lawyer John McKeigan represents several men who have laid criminal charges against Lalo and have civil suits against the province. Those suits say the government should have known something was going on.
McKeigan says the evidence of complaints over almost 15 years shows the system failed.
"What kind of record keeping did the department have? Was there a file for complaints, allegations? Was it simply a trash bin they went into? " McKeigan says any evidence officials were warned means the government is as responsible as Lalo for the damage done to alleged victims.
In all, 33 people are suing for compensation.
from: CBC Canada Votes 2004
http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes2004/riding/017/
Kevin Stacey
Party: The Green Party of Canada
Career Background:
Currently works in marketing and sales for the Sherman Hines group of companies. He was a youthful pioneer in national efforts to raise AIDS Awareness back in 1984. In 1991, he pressed charges against a sexual abuser from his youth (Cesar Lalo) and successfully pursued the issue. (Lalo was subsequently convicted from charges arising out of 65 more victims coming forward, eventually becoming "Canada's Most Charged Man".) Successfully sued the NS government for vicarious liability for covering up the behaviour of the perpetrator in his case.
http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/elections/fed2004/candidates/generated/12006_GRN.html
Kevin Stacey, the well known citizen-activist, today announced he is entering the political world as a GREEN candidate in the federal riding of Kings-Hants, challenging Scott Brison. Kevin, currently works in marketing and sales for the Sherman Hines group of Companies. Kevin was a youthful pioneer in national efforts to raise AIDS Awareness back in 1984. (See Nick Sheehan documentary "No Sad Songs", the first ever AIDS AWARENESS film made in Canada. As well as MacLean's and numerous other local and national media). In 1991, (see CBC National Radio feature Documentary Series, "SYSTEM IN DENIAL" by Kelly Ryan/Heather Evans & Laura Lynch), Kevin pressed charges against a sexual abuser from his youth (Cesar Lalo). Many in the Nova Scotia Justice "System" closed ranks in denial but Kevin successfully pursued the issue. The man was convicted through Kevin's efforts and subsequently convicted from charges arising out of 65 more victims coming forward, eventually (Lalo) becoming "Canada's Most Charged Man". Lalo is still in the news. Kevin pursued the "System", successfully suing the NS Government for "Vicarious Liability" for all their years of denial and cover-up of the behavior of the perpetrator. Kevin has also been an advocate on human rights issues, ensuring corporations follow the laws, assisting friends in resolving legal issues by consensus and away from costly court battles. He is known among friends and family as relentless and unswerving in his dedication to right a wrong all the way to a conclusion. "Bulldog tenacity." Kevin seeks a society of peace, which fosters forgiveness and encourages preventative measures towards the repetition of physical and sexual violence against others. Kevin says, "People are always surprised when I say I never once lost faith in Humanity through it all - I believe in the power of caring citizens to affect real change - through courage and commitment - not by relying on corporation or union donations, but the method of 'word of mouth' and focusing on positive solutions instead of the wrongs of previous governments. As government is inherently corrupt, the Green Party must get in (Ottawa) and clean up the excessive wastes of the past, and move forward to a more effective system of governing. The GREENS offer Hope to a Troubled World."
N.S. pedophile declared long-term offender
Updated Wed. Aug. 4 2004 11:15 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
A Nova Scotia man has been designated a long-term offender and sentenced to nine years in prison for molesting boys under his supervision.
Cesar Lalo, 64, a former youth probation officer and child-welfare worker, also agreed to undergo drug treatment to reduce his sex drive.
"I think he's gonna do some hard time," one of his victims told ATV News Wednesday, who described this as "a good day."
His total jail time is now 18 years, which Crown prosecutor Catherine Cogswell said was either "the highest or second-highest sentence given to a pedophile in Canadian history."
"To me, the biggest point to all this is that Cesar Lalo has finally come to court and acknowledged responsibility that he sexually victimized 29 victims," said Crown prosecutor Rob Fetterly.
The crimes all occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. It's been 15 years since his last assault. He stepped down as a probation officer in 1989 when the abuse allegations first surfaced.
"The evidence of the offences against these children provides compelling stories of horrid, brazen, callous acts of indecent and sexual assault, gross indecency, buggery and attempted buggery," Justice Heather Robertson of Nova Scotia Supreme Court said in passing sentence.
"All but two of his victims were children in his charge for whom he had undertaken to protect, counsel and provide guidance."
All the victims were between age 11 and 17 at the time of the offences.
Lalo began serving his first nine-year sentence in 1993 for seven offences and has been in jail ever since, even though his sentence expired in August 2002. He was convicted in 2003 of 15 additional offences and then admitted to seven more.
While Lalo was given a nine-year sentence, he was given a double-credit for the two years he spent in jail dealing with the most recent charges.
During his court appearances, four experts testified that as a homosexual pedophile, Lalo was a risk to reoffend because pedophiles are never cured.
Prosecutors wanted Lalo declared a dangerous offender, which meant he was shown to be unable to control his sexual or violent impulses. That would have left him jailed indefinitely.
However, the court chose to deem him a long-term offender, which means he will be under the supervision of the courts for 10 years after he gets out of prison and will be required to continue drug treatment over that time.
"Once we got to the sentencing phase of this prosecution, our concern ... was to protect children from Cesar Lalo," Cogswell said.
Those who were abused by Lalo still suffer from it. "My life has been very hard, a hard road," the victim said.
The man's brother was also an alleged victim, but the Crown didn't proceed because that man died of a self-administered drug overdose in 1997.
"We were trying to escape reality a lot of the times," the man, now 41, said, his voice breaking. "So, to see this happen today will bring some closure for me."
"Justice was served," Fetterly said. "I think folks can move along in their lives and say this chapter of their life is over."
But the victim said he will be launching a civil action over this case.
With a report from ATV's Rick Grant
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 30, 2007
4:06 PM ET CBC News
A court has awarded $625,000 to a victim of convicted child abuser Cesar Lalo, the first of many expected payouts by the Nova Scotia government.
In a decision released Tuesday, Supreme Court Justice Frank Edwards ruled the province was indirectly liable for the abuse by Lalo, who was convicted of sexually assaulting 29 boys from 1973 to 1989 while working as a probation officer and social worker.
One victim, who can be identified only as BMG, sued the province, claiming the government was partially responsible for the damage Lalo caused.
Edwards awarded BMG, now 43, $125,000 in general damages and $500,000 for lost income.
But he ruled that the province wasn't directly responsible because it couldn't have foreseen Lalo's wrongdoing nor was there any evidence that the province put its interests ahead of those in its care.
Halifax lawyer Kevin MacDonald, who represented BMG in his civil action, said he's heard of similar cases, so this one could be just the beginning for the province.
"I expect that they'll be moving forward now that there's been a decision reached on this issue of vicarious liability," he said.
The Department of Community Services says about two dozen suits have been filed against the province over Lalo. About one-third are considered inactive because there has been no action taken on them in some time.
MacDonald said BMG has managed to get his life together and find a job.
"I think it's fair to say that his life has been on hold, to a certain extent," MacDonald said. "This was certainly something that he was carrying with him."
Lalo was declared a long-term offender in August 2004 and was given a nine-year prison sentence.
The riding contains a great deal of public housing, apartments rented by students and thriving small businesses. There's a mix of seniors, families and young singles.
The "North End," as it's known locally, is ethnically diverse, with stores and services on Gottingen Street reflecting a variety of cultures, including Mi’kmaq, African-Canadian, Middle Eastern and Nigerian.
N.S. abuse victim wants compensation from province
Says he has waited 13 years for action on Lalo suit
Last Updated: Thursday, September 17, 2009
12:22 PM AT CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/09/17/ns-abuse-compensation.html?ref=rss
A Halifax man who alleges he was sexually abused by Cesar Lalo, one of Nova Scotia's most notorious child abusers, says he has waited long enough for a settlement from the provincial government.
The man, who cannot be named, said he was 11 when he shoplifted two pairs of sneakers from a Woolco store in Halifax in 1975. His sentence was six months probation, and Lalo was his probation officer.
"There was times that he would take me into his office and sexually abuse me in his office," the man told CBC News on Wednesday. "He sexually abused me in his car."
In 1996, Lalo was charged with more than 100 counts of attempted buggery, indecent assault and gross indecency. That same year, the Halifax man filed a lawsuit against the province — Lalo's former employer.
He said there is no reason that 13 years later, his lawsuit should still be unresolved. He said he was especially frustrated when he heard of a recent settlement with alleged victims of sexual abuse by priests with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish.
"It upset me very much to know that if the Catholic church can settle with their abuse victims, why can't the province of Nova Scotia settle with theirs," he said.
The man said he wants compensation from the provincial government and he wants his MLA, Maureen MacDonald, to help him get it. He said many of Lalo's victims are from the public housing projects in her riding.
Through a spokeswoman, MacDonald said Wednesday it would be inappropriate of her to comment on the case.
Lalo has been convicted of sexually assaulting 29 boys in the years from 1973 to 1989 while working as a probation officer and social worker.
There are 20 active lawsuits involving him. Six of his victims have been compensated.
One man, who is identified in court documents as B.M.G., was awarded $640,000 in 2007.
CBC News Posted: May 31, 2011 3:25 PM AT Last Updated: May 31, 2011 3:25 PM AT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/05/31/ns-lalo-victim-counselling-award.html
Nova Scotia's highest court has awarded another $60,000 to a victim of child abuser Cesar Lalo, a former provincial probation officer [and social worker.]
In a decision released Tuesday, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal said the extra money was to cover future counselling for the man, who can only be identified as L.M.M.
The court determined that the amount awarded earlier — $250,000 for lost wages and $125,000 for pain and suffering — was appropriate.
The Court of Appeal heard the case in April.
L.M.M. argued that he should have been awarded more money. He noted that another victim, identified as B.M.G., was awarded $640,000 in the first case against Lalo to go through the courts.
The province argued that the two cases could not be compared. It claimed that the amount awarded to L.M.M. for lost wages was too high.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the cross-appeal by the province.
L.M.M. was eight years old when he met Lalo. He said the abuse began when he was 13.
Lalo was convicted of sexually assaulting 29 boys from 1973 to 1989 while working as a probation officer and social worker in the province.
He was released on parole in September 2009 after serving five years of a nine-year prison sentence.
Nine other victims have settled their cases with the province without going to court. The amount of those settlements was not disclosed.
Police confirm arrest but mum on details they say will be evidence
By IAN FAIRCLOUGH Staff Reporter
Sat, Aug 13, 2011 - 4:55 AM
Cesar Lalo is back in jail again.
The notorious child molester from Nova Scotia was arrested at his home in Ottawa last month, sources say, after a search of his computer.
The 71-year-old former probation officer and child welfare worker was convicted of dozens of sex crimes against boys who were in his care in the 1970s and 1980s. He was sentenced to nine years in jail on some of the charges in 1994, and another nine years less time served in 2004. He was released in 2009, but as a designated long-term offender he is under supervision for 10 years.
Ottawa police won’t say anything about why Lalo was arrested, but his long-term offender supervision orders include conditions that he not possess or access any type of pornography.
Const. Marc Soucy said he could confirm that Lalo was arrested and facing a charge of breach of a long-term offender order, but said anything else would be part of the evidence of the case.
"It’s still being investigated and is still before the courts," he said.
Lalo’s release was suspended after he was arrested, putting him back in prison.
Lalo has been in trouble because of pornography since his release from jail. In August 2010, the National Parole Board ordered him to spend an extra six months in an Ontario halfway house. As part of its decision, it said he borrowed a pornographic DVD from another halfway house resident. The video involved "she-males," according to the parole board, which said Lalo was "cautioned about the inappropriateness of your choice and the lack of judgment shown."
He was released from the halfway house and able to get an apartment of his own last February.
In all, Lalo has either admitted to or been convicted of abusing 30 boys.
The crimes ranged from sexual touching to sodomy.
He resigned from his position as a probation officer in 1989 when the sexual abuse allegations arose. The courts heard during his trials that he committed assaults on two more boys that same year, even when he knew police were investigating him on another sexual offence.
The victims were between the ages of 11 and 17, and many fell into drugs and crime and have never recovered, the courts heard.
More than two dozen civil suits against the province have been filed by victims of Lalo’s crimes. Some have been settled, but others are still before the courts.
( ifairclough@herald.ca)
