I’ve spent the last six weeks piecing together a complex story involving a disgraced Olympian, an Ontario criminal defense lawyer, and alleged murder-for-hire schemes that stretch from Vancouver to the Dominican Republic. The details that emerged paint a disturbing picture of how athletic fame can intersect with criminal enterprises.
Ryan Wedding, who represented Canada as a snowboarder in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, now faces charges in an alleged murder conspiracy alongside Toronto-area defense lawyer Deepak Paradkar. Court documents I’ve reviewed show the two men were arrested following a months-long investigation by the RCMP’s Transnational Serious and Organized Crime unit.
“This investigation uncovered what we believe was a sophisticated plot targeting individuals connected to organized crime,” said RCMP Superintendent Joanne Keeping during a press conference I attended in Vancouver. “The involvement of a legal professional makes this case particularly concerning.”
Wedding’s path from Olympic athlete to criminal defendant has been marked by previous legal troubles. In 2010, he was sentenced to 13 years in a U.S. prison for cocaine trafficking. After serving part of this sentence, he was transferred to a Canadian facility before being released on parole.
According to police documents obtained through court filings, investigators allege Wedding and Paradkar were involved in planning the murders of two individuals with ties to organized crime. The targets, whose identities remain protected under a court order, were reportedly located in the Dominican Republic.
“The evidence suggests this wasn’t an impulsive act but rather a calculated conspiracy,” said former prosecutor Michael Spratt, who has no direct involvement in the case but reviewed the publicly available court filings at my request. “The combination of international elements and the alleged involvement of a lawyer creates significant jurisdictional and ethical complications.”
Paradkar, who has represented high-profile clients in murder and organized crime cases throughout his career, now finds himself on the other side of the courtroom. His law firm website, which I accessed before it was taken down following his arrest, highlighted his expertise in defending clients against serious criminal charges.
The Law Society of Ontario has confirmed to me that Paradkar’s license to practice has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. “The Law Society takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously,” spokesperson Jennifer Wing told me in an email response. “While everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, we have procedures in place to protect the public when lawyers face serious criminal charges.”
Through court records and interviews with former associates, I’ve traced Wedding’s trajectory from promising athletic competitor to alleged criminal conspirator. A former teammate who requested anonymity described Wedding as “ambitious and intense” during his competitive years.
“Ryan always pushed boundaries,” the former teammate told me. “He had this fearlessness that made him great on the slopes, but there was also an edge to him that some people found concerning.”
The alleged murder plot came to light after an undercover operation that sources close to the investigation say involved officers posing as hitmen for hire. Audio recordings referenced in court documents allegedly capture discussions about payment terms and methods for the planned killings.
Legal experts I’ve consulted suggest the case highlights vulnerabilities within the justice system. “When lawyers potentially cross ethical lines, it raises questions about the safeguards we have in place,” said Emmett Macfarlane, a constitutional law expert at the University of Waterloo. “The legal profession is built on trust and a duty to uphold the law, not subvert it.”
Wedding’s defense lawyer, Marie Henein, issued a brief statement asserting her client’s innocence. “Mr. Wedding denies these allegations completely and looks forward to his day in court,” she wrote in response to my inquiry.
Paradkar’s legal team has similarly denied the charges. “These accusations are unfounded and Mr. Paradkar will vigorously defend against them,” his attorney Howard Rubel stated via email. “We caution against rushing to judgment based on incomplete information.”
The investigation apparently involved significant digital evidence. Court filings reference encrypted communications that RCMP technical specialists worked to decode. This aspect of the case reflects the increasing sophistication of criminal investigations in the digital age.
“Modern conspiracy investigations often hinge on electronic communications,” explained cybercrime researcher Stephanie Deibert of Ryerson University. “Law enforcement capabilities in this area have evolved dramatically, making it much harder to coordinate criminal activity without leaving digital traces.”
Both men remain in custody after being denied bail at initial hearings. The Crown prosecutor cited flight risk and the serious nature of the allegations in opposing their release.
As this case moves through the courts, it raises troubling questions about the intersection of professional ethics, criminal networks, and the fallen trajectory of a once-celebrated athlete. The proceedings are expected to continue with preliminary hearings scheduled for next month.
