How Could You? Hall of Shame-Garry Prokopishin/Canada UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

Man Who Fostered 55 Kids Accused of Child Abuse
[KLPCTV.com from CNN 1/19/11]

Update: “Former Foster Parent of the Year Garry Prokopishin will face a preliminary inquiry” over 2 days starting on October 3. An earlier hearing had been delayed due to his hospitalization.

“Prokopishin, 53, who faces 11 sex-related charges involving five boys under his care, was not present for the brief proceeding.

He faces five charges each of communicating with a minor for the purposes of prostitution and sexual exploitation, as well as an additional charge of Internet luring.”

Inquiry Set for Foster Parent Accused of Sex Charges
[Calgary Sun 3/15/11 by Kevin Martin]

Update 2: “More charges have been laid against a former Calgary foster parent of the year.

Police say a man came forward last December, claiming he had been sexually abused while in a local foster home.

It’s alleged that between November 2001 and September 2005, the teen, who was 14 when the abuse began, was repeatedly sexually assaulted while in the care of his foster parent.

The man was a foster parent and primary caregiver for the alleged victim and money was offered in exchange for sexual acts. The abuse is believed to have occurred over a span of several years.

Garry Dale Prokopishin, 52, is charged with obtaining sex from a person under 18 and sexual contact with a youth by person in authority.

It is believed that 55 foster children, all boys, have lived under the care of Prokopishin and his wife over the past 20 years.

The number of boys living in the home at any given time was between one and five and they ranged in ages from 14 to 17.”

Third set of charges laid against former foster dad
[CTV 5/16/11]

“He was originally arrested in February 2010 and charged with luring a child via a data device, three counts of obtaining or attempting to obtain sex from a person under 18 and sexual contact with a youth by a person in authority.

Police allege he offered the victims money in exchange for sexual acts.”

“”At this time there is no indication (his wife) was involved whatsoever,” said Campbell.

So far, police have spoken to 16 of the 55 boys.”

“Campbell said further investigations are ongoing and more charges could be laid.”

Award-winning foster dad nets sex charges
[The Toronto Sun 5/16/11 by Dave Dormer/Calgary Sun]

Update 3: “Former Foster Parent of the Year Garry Prokopishin won’t have to replace his lawyer for his preliminary inquiry next week.

Provincial court Judge Terry Semenuk ruled Wednesday defence counsel Bina Border could continue to represent Prokopishin, despite Crown concerns of a conflict of interest.

Prosecutor Gary Cornfield had asked that Border be disqualified to act as Prokopishin’s lawyer because she once represented one of the males accusing him of sexual abuse.

But Border argued the problem could be resolved by hiring an independent lawyer to cross-examine the witness, whose credibility will be a significant trial issue.

“There is no doubt that there is an apparent conflict of interest in the case at bar,” Semenuk said, in a written decision.

“That being said, in the particular circumstances of this case the apparent conflict is such that I do not feel compelled to disqualify defence counsel,” he said.

The judge said that although Border acted for the complainant in a youth court matter, he accepted her submissions she has limited recollection of the case.

“I accept that defence counsel has little, or no recollection of (the witness) as a person,” Semenuk said.

He ordered that an independent lawyer be hired by Prokopishin to handle questioning of the witness and Border and her law associates not discuss the complainant with the other counsel.

Prokopishin is set to face a two-day preliminary inquiry beginning Monday on 13 sex-related charges involving six boys who were under his foster care between 1999 and 2007.

He is free on bail pending a resolution to the case.”

Lawyer OKed for accused foster dad sicko
[Calgary Sun 9/28/11 by Kevin Martin]

Update 4: “Provincial court Judge Terry Semenuk on Tuesday committed Garry Dale Prokopishin, 52, to face a trial at Court of Queen’s Bench on three counts of having sexual contact with a youth by a person in authority.

Semenuk made the ruling after hearing submissions by Crown prosecutor Gary Cornfield and defence lawyer Bina Border following two-day preliminary hearing.

Prokopishin had faced 13 charges relating to six alleged victims prior to the two-day hearing.”

“Police have said the assaults occurred at the accused’s Calgary home and at locations outside the city between 2001 and 2008, when the complainants were in their mid-teens.

Prokopishin, a former director of the Calgary and District Foster Parents Association, was named Foster Family of the Year in 2007.

He will be in court with his lawyer later this fall to set a date for trial.”

Former foster parent to stand trial on sex abuse charges
[Calgary Herald 10/4/11 by Daryl Slade]

Update 5: “A trial has been set for nearly a year down the road for a former foster parent accused of sexually abusing three boys in his care.

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Suzanne Bensler set the eight-day trial to begin next Oct. 15[2012] for Garry Dale Prokopishin, 52, charged with three counts of having sexual contact with a youth by a person in authority.

Crown prosecutor Gary Cornfield and defence lawyers Bina Border and Ian McKay will also argue for two days starting Oct. 1 on the admissibility of evidence.

Prokopishin originally faced 13 charges relating to six alleged victims, but several of those charges were withdrawn following a two-day preliminary hearing in October.

Police have said the assaults occurred at the accused’s Calgary home and at locations outside the city between 2001 and 2008, when the complainants were in their mid-teens.

Prokopishin, a former director of the Calgary and District Foster Parents Association, was named Foster Family of the Year in 2007.

He will be back in court on Jan. 20 to confirm details of the trial.”

Former foster parent’s sexual abuse trial set for fall of 2012
[Calgary Herald 12/2/11 by Daryl Slade]

Update 6:“Former Foster Parent of the Year Gary Prokopishin will face two extra accusers when he stands trial for molesting boys under his care, his lawyer said Friday.

Defence counsel Ian McKay told court the Crown has directly indicted his client on two additional charges of sexual contact with minors, bringing the total allegations against him to five. As a result, McKay told Justice Earl Wilson, he and Crown prosecutor Gord Haight will need an eight-day hearing instead of six.

McKay set Prokopishin’s new trial to commence March 4 [2013]before a Court of Queen’s Bench judge sitting without a jury.

Outside court, McKay said the additional allegations involve complainants who came forward earlier, but could not be subpoenaed for Prokopishin’s preliminary hearing.

“They were on the original (charging) information, but they couldn’t get them served for the preliminary,” the lawyer said.

Prokopishin, 53, was ordered to stand trial on three charges of sexual contact with a minor by a person in authority following a preliminary inquiry in October 2010.

He had faced 13 charges involving six different boys, but 10 of those were dismissed by a provincial court judge who found there was no evidence to support them.

Prokopishin was initially arrested in February 2010 and charged with luring a child via a data device, three counts of obtaining or attempting to obtain sex from a person under 18, and sexual contact with a youth by a person in authority. Police alleged at the time money was offered in exchange for sexual acts.”

Charges against former Foster Parent of the Year hiked to five

[Calgary Sun 6/16/12 by Kevin Martin]

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

Update 7: The trial was to begin on March 4, 2013, but Prokopishin has been hospitalized. The trial is delayed indefinitely. Another hearing was scheduled to update the court on his situation on March 15, 2013.

“Court of Queen’s Justice William Tilleman adjourned the scheduled eight-day  trial for Garry Prokopishin on Monday at the request of defence lawyer Ian  McKay.

“I found out yesterday about my client being admitted to hospital. He was  rushed to hospital and I don’t expect him to be released anytime soon,” McKay  told court. “I hesitate to put on the record why.

“I’m not sure when I’ll be able to take instructions from my client. There  are some issues . . . I have information that he could be three months  there.”

Tilleman adjourned the case to March 15 in criminal appearance court to  permit McKay to get more updated information about Prokopishin’s condition.

Crown prosecutor Gord Haight told court he had some witnesses prepared to  testify and was reluctant to adjourn the trial but, under the circumstances, did  not object.”

The judge agreed: “I can’t go ahead without the accused.”

Prokopishin, 53, was ordered to stand trial in October 2011 on three counts  of having sexual contact with a youth by a person in authority, following a  preliminary hearing.

He had faced 13 charges relating to six alleged victims prior to the two-day  hearing.

Police have said the assaults occurred at the accused’s Calgary home and at  locations outside the city between 2001 and 2008, when the complainants were in  their mid-teens.

Prokopishin, a former director of the Calgary and District Foster Parents  Association, was named Foster Family of the Year in 2007.”

Hospitalized foster parent accused of sexually abusing three boys delays trial

[Calgary Herald 3/4/13 by Daryl Slade]

Update 8: “Medical problems have once again derailed the case of former foster dad of the year Garry Prokopishin.

Defence counsel Ryan Patmore appeared in court Thursday to inform Justice Robert Hall that lead lawyer Ian McKay has pneumonia.

A date to resume the trial will be set next week.

The trial was adjourned early for the day on Wednesday when McKay indicated he wasn’t feeling well.

Patmore said a trip to the doctor confirmed McKay was in no condition to continue on defending Prokopishin, whose trial was scheduled to go into next week.

“Mr. McKay’s condition is worse than anyone in this courtroom could envision,” Patmore told Hall.

“He actually has pneumonia.”

He said McKay has a scheduled follow up appointment for Monday, but likely isn’t available until the new year.

As a result, Hall adjourned the trial to set a resumption date on Dec. 20.

Crown prosecutor Gord Haight said he’d like to continue in January, but Hall said he may not have room on his schedule until May.

It’s the third time a health scare had delayed Prokopishin’s case.

He was set to face a preliminary inquiry on Dec. 1, 2010, but the hearing was postponed after Prokopishin was rushed to emergency that morning in critical condition with an unspecified medical problem.

His first trial date last March 4 was also derailed by Prokopishin’s hospitalization at that time.

Prokopishin, 55, faces six charges of sexual exploitation of boys under his foster care between May 5, 1999 and April 18, 2008.

In his opening address Monday, Haight said the accused paid the boys cash to allow him to provide sexual favours.”

Medical problems derail sex abuse trial of former Calgary foster dad [Calgary Sun 12/12/13 By Kevin Martin]

Update 9:”Former foster dad of the year Garry Prokopishin sexually molested a young boy under his care when the teen came home drunk, a Calgary court heard Tuesday.

The former foster child, now 23, said Prokopishin performed a sexual act on him in the basement of the accused’s home.

The witness, who can’t be identified, is one of six alleged victims Prokopishin, 55, is charged with sexually exploiting.

The then-teenager was a resident at Prokopishin’s northwest home in 2007, when he was 17 years old.

“At that time in my life I was partying and drinking a lot,” the witness told Crown prosecutor Gord Haight.

He said he was able to do so as Prokopishin and his wife, Julie, weren’t particularly strict on the boys under their care.

“They had rules, but it was a pretty slack place to live,” he said.

One night about six weeks after moving in he arrived home around his 10 p.m. curfew.

“I came home really intoxicated and Garry offered me $100 (to perform a sexual act on the teen),” he testified.

The witness said he proceeded to the basement, where his bedroom was, and Prokopishin followed.

“He followed me down to the bottom of the stairs and pull my pants down and started (the sexual act),” the witness said.

“It was happening, like for a minute, or so,” he said, before correcting his estimate to 15 to 20 seconds.

At that point the witness said he stopped Prokopishin from continuing.

“I just got weirded out and uncomfortable and I clued in to what was happening and I stopped it,” he said.

The complainant said on prior occasions Prokopishin would call the boys in the house his bitches “like you’re my girl.”

“It was kind of like flirting in a kind of way,” he said.

“He was always, like, touchy feely before, but I didn’t think he would take it that far.”

The witness said on another occasion Prokopishin grabbed his crotch over the boy’s pants, and on another asked if he could take a photo of the teen’s penis with his new camera phone.

Defence counsel Ian McKay will cross-examine the witness on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Justice Robert Hall issued a witness warrant at Haight’s request when another alleged victim failed to show up to resume his testimony.

Haight said police checked the man’s home and work, but could not find him.”

Former foster child tells Calgary court he was molested by foster dad[Calgary Sun 6/17/14 By Kevin Martin]

Update 10:“One of several men accusing former foster dad of the year Garry Prokopishin of sexual abuse denied Wednesday he was motivated by revenge.

Defence counsel Ian McKay suggested the now-23-year-old was angry at Prokopishin for assisting police in a robbery investigation where he was a suspect.

But the witness denied his allegations Prokopishin performed a sexual act on him, and on a second occasion grabbed him by the crotch, were a revenge-motivated fabrication.

Prokopishin, 55, faces six charges of sexual exploitation involving allegations he abused boys under his foster care over a decade beginning in May, 1999.

The man conceded there were inconsistencies between his trial evidence and statements he made to police and at a preliminary inquiry, but insisted he was sexually abused.

Meanwhile, a witness whose testimony was to continue Tuesday, but who failed to show up for court, spent the night in jail after his arrest late that day.

The man, who also testified Prokopishin paid to perform sexual acts on him, was on the witness stand when McKay took ill in December, forcing a delay in the hearing.

The witness, also now 23, said he had a serious drug addiction while living at Prokopishin’s northwest residence in 2008.

“I’d need money,” he told Crown prosecutor Gord Haight.

“The only way I would get any would be to let Garry do stuff, sexual stuff.”

He said he was paid $50 to $100 for each sexual encounter.

His testimony continues Thursday.”

Sex abuse allegations against Calgary foster dad called revenge [Calgary Sun 6/18/14 By Kevin Martin]

Update 11:”Former foster dad of the year Garry Prokopishin sexually abused one boy hundreds of times, court heard Thursday.

Foster dad sexually abused boy hundreds of times, court hears[Sun NewsNetwork 6/19/14 by Kevin Martin]

“The motivation for sexual allegations against a former foster dad of the year isn’t a $3-million lawsuit, one of his accusers said Friday.

The former foster son of Garry Prokopishin denied suggestions by defence counsel Ian McKay he was falsely accusing the man to cash in.

Instead, the now 29-year-old insisted Prokopishin molested him on hundreds of occasions while he was either living under the accused’s roof, or later in group homes.

Prokopishin, 55, faces five allegations of sexual exploitation in connection with incidents in his home over a 10-year period.

Justice Robert Hall dismissed a sixth charge on Friday after Crown prosecutor Gord Haight closed his case without calling evidence from one of the accusers.

Under cross-examination, McKay suggested the sex abuse allegations were concocted after Prokopishin’s foster home was shut down and charges from other boys surfaced.

He pointed to a Facebook exchange between the witness and another former resident, one he said was molested by the accused in his presence.

In the July, 2009 exchange he was told by his former foster brother that Prokopishin was being accused by another foster sibling of sexual abuse.

He said his reply of “that’s f—— bull—-,” meant the sexual contact between Prokopishin and the boys was supposed to be a secret, not that the other sibling was lying.

After Haight closed his case, McKay told Hall he was not calling any evidence on his client’s behalf.

Final arguments in the trial have been scheduled for Sept. 2 and 3.”

Witness in sexual exploitation case against Gary Prokopishin denies being motivated by $3 million lawsuit[Calgary Sun 6/20/14 by Kevin Martin]

Update 12: “A man who was chosen along with his wife as the local Foster Family of the Year in 2007 now faces a lengthy prison sentence after sexually assaulting four foster boys under his care.

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Robert Hall on Thursday convicted Garry Dale Prokopishin, 56, of sexually touching the boys while in a position of trust between May 5, 1999, and Aug. 5, 2008. He also acquitted him of one charge and another count was earlier withdrawn by Crown prosecutor Gord Haight.

Hall said the complainants’ descriptions of ‘Guys’ Nights,’ in which the teenage boys were taken to different towns outside the city, put up in a hotel, bought drinks, dinner and clothes and paid for sex, was a key part of the evidence.

“The description of Guys’ Nights by the complainants further corroborate the sexual nature of the relationship between the participants and the accused, even though these events occurred after the complainants reached the age of majority (18),” wrote Hall in his decision.

One of the complainants testified that Prokopishin would usually pay him $20 after the event.

Hall said the complainants and others who lived in the home and provided similar fact evidence supported each others’ stories about what happened, and he accepted it for the most part, with no serious concern of collusion among them.

“The court is aware of the potential for collusion among the complainants,” said the judge. “They could all contact each other and many indicated that they have done so. Two of the complainants are plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the accused and the government, and the others are aware of the lawsuit. There is at least a ‘whiff of profit,’

“Notwithstanding this possibility for collusion, the Crown has satisfied me that it has not occurred in this case. The evidence of any one witness is not tailored to fit that of others; indeed, there are inconsistencies between them that one would not expect if intentional collusion had transpired. Unintentional collusion as to the acts that occurred to each of them is simply not a realistic possibility.”

One complainant, now 26, testified he agreed to allow Prokopishin to perform sex acts on him when he was between 16 and 18 years old, generally for $20 each occasion, and he would use the money to feed his crack cocaine habit.

He told Haight the sex occurred regularly at the home, but also three or four times in hotels in Drumheller, Medicine Hat and Red Deer.

After he moved to Kitimat, B.C., in 2008, the complainant said Prokopishin phoned him and said other kids had come forward and reporters were flooding around his house. He said he then went to Kitimat RCMP and reported the incidents.”

“They gave us drugs, cigarettes and money. There was always food on the table. It was a very good home. I didn’t have an issue staying in the home,” he said of the Prokopishins.

Hall ordered a presentence report and a psychiatric report at the request of Haight and defence lawyer Ian McKay to be prepared for sentencing arguments on Dec. 19.

The judge ordered Prokopishin into custody following a brief discussion, and he will remain there until sentencing.”

City man convicted of sexually assaulting four boys under his foster care

[Calgary Herald 10/23/14 by Daryl Slade]

Update 13:”Former foster dad of the year Garry Prokopishin was anything but, a prosecutor said Monday, seeking a 13-year sentence for his abuse of four boys.

Crown lawyer Gord Haight said there were no mitigating factors which would justify a lesser sentence.

Haight told Justice Robert Hall that Prokopishin’s crimes would collectively attract a 20-year term, if not for the principle a total sentence can’t be unduly harsh.

“The victims clearly viewed the accused as their father,” he said, adding the sentence should be on par with what would be given a natural parent.

Haight said as a foster parent Prokopishin was to act as a “mentor, care giver (and) role model,” but instead he preyed upon them.

“The degree of breach of trust doesn’t get any higher — it’s akin to a parent,” he said.

“This individual was not foster father of the year, he was nothing short of predator.”

Prokopishin, 56, was convicted by Hall last October of four charges he sexually abused boys under his care while they lived in the home he shared with his then-wife.

The victims testified Prokopishin performed sexual acts on them, sometimes paying for it.

On two occasions he paid boys $40 each so he could give them oral sex at the same time.

Defence counsel Ryan Patmore argued a sentence in the seven- to nine-year range was appropriate considering the degree of responsibility of his client.”

Crown tells sentencing hearing former foster father convicted of sexual abuse is ‘nothing short of predator[Calgary Sun 5/4/15 by Kevin Martin]

“Former foster dad of the year Garry Prokopishin showed no outward emotion Tuesday as a Calgary judge sentenced him to 10 years for sexually abusing boys.

Prokopishin’s ex-wife, Julie, dabbed away tears in the front row of the courtroom as Justice Robert Hall handed down the double-digit term.

The Court of Queen’s Bench judge said there were multiple aggravating factors to consider and none in Prokopishin’s favour.

“Here there are no mitigating factors to be considered,” Hall said.

Among those which justified a serious punishment were the number of incidents of sexual abuse on his four victims and the fact “the victims were groomed by the offender.”

Hall also noted Prokopishin paid his victims to allow him to perform oral sex on them and twice paid one boy to sodomize the foster dad.

“The fact the offender paid the victims for participation in these acts is an aggravating factor,” he said.

Crown prosecutor Gord Haight had sought a sentence of 13 years, while defence counsel Ryan Patmore suggested a seven- to nine-year term.

Outside court, Haight said Prokopishin’s conduct was an egregious breach of the trust he had towards the teenagers under his care.

“I thought a 13-year sentence was merited, that said, it’s nonetheless a significant sentence, a double digit sentence is not often handed out,” he said.

“The breach of trust here was extreme, he certainly breached his trust (towards) the children in his care, but he also breached his trust to Albertans in general.””

Former Calgary foster dad of the year sentenced to 10 years for sexual abusing boys [Calgary Sun 5/5/15 by Kevin Martin]