A photograph of "fishermen from hell" has landed the president of a Teamsters local in hot water by raising questions about the powerful union's relationship with the Hells Angels.
The photo shows two dozen men posing with a dead salmon on a trip to a B.C. fishing lodge in 1999. Police organized-crime experts identified at least 12 men in the photo as members or associates of the Hells Angels -- and standing among them is Stan Hennessy, president of Teamsters Local 31, which represents civilian police employees, casino workers and truckers in B.C. and Yukon.
Mr. Hennessy, who for the past 15 years has held various positions in the union, was elected president of the 6,000-member local last year. During his election campaign he came clean about his criminal past in an open letter to Teamsters voters.
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"Almost 30 years ago, when I was in my teens and early twenties, I was not the person I am today. I was convicted of a robbery and a number of assaults and brawls, even once with a policeman. I served a short time in prison for the harm I did, and since then I've worked hard to turn my life around," he wrote.
"I deeply regret what happened back then, but as much as I would like to, I cannot change the past."
Mr. Hennessy made no mention in his letter of any connection to the Hells Angels.
That association came to light this week when The Vancouver Sun published the picture on its front page, saying the photo had been sent in a plain brown envelope to reporter Lindsay Kines.
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Among those identified in the photo by the newspaper are Normand (Biff) Hamel, a member of the Quebec Hells Angels, Nomads Chapter, shot to death in Laval in April, 2000. Mr. Hamel was a friend of Maurice (Mom) Boucher, convicted last year of the murders of two pPost too long. Click here to view the full text.
