Toronto Tanning salon owner convicted for role in insurance fraud

[Editor-in-Chief]

Tanning salon owner convicted for role in insurance fraud

Shannon Kari

National Post

Monday, June 11, 2007

CREDIT: Tyler Anderson/National Post

Adrian Roks is surrounded by friends as he enters the courthouse at 361 University Ave. in Toronto, Monday June 11, 2007. He is facing second degree murder charges following an arson on Christmas day in 2001, that resulted in the death of one person.

A Toronto tanning salon owner was convicted of second-degree murder Monday for his role in an insurance fraud scheme that led to one of the largest fires in the history of the city and killed one of the accomplices in the arson plan.

Adrian Roks, 37, shook his head as Ontario Superior Court Justice Gloria Epstein described him as the "go to" guy in the scheme to burn down the Woodbine Building Supply building in east end Toronto on Christmas Day 2001.

More than 170 firefighters were required to bring the six-alarm blaze under control. The building was less than 50 metres from residences in the neighbourhood and more than 50 families had to evacuate their homes on Christmas morning.

Anthony Jarcevic, one of the two men inside the building who set the fire, was killed when it exploded after gasoline and other accelerants were poured on the main floor and in the basement. The other accomplice survived but was seriously disfigured and ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

The Crown alleged that Mr. Roks was part of a scheme that included building owner John Magno to set it on fire and claim more than $3-million from the insurance company.

The money would be used to develop condominiums on the site of the building supply store and to purchase a nightclub in Oshawa.

During the trial the court heard that Roks would get money, an interest in the nightclub and an opportunity to buy a condominium at cost in exchange for recruiting the arsonist and agreeing to provide an alibi for Magno.

Mr. Magno was also charged with second-degree murder and is scheduled to go on trial in early 2008.

Judge Epstein ruled that Mr. Roks did not intend for anyone to die in the arson scheme, but could be convicted of second-degree murder because he was involved in an "unlawful object" and knew the fire was "likely to cause death."

"Roks knowingly conspired and assisted in the unlawful object of arson for the purpose of insurance fraud. Anthony Jarcevic died as a result of the fire," said the judge. "Mr. Roks is as guilty of the offences with which he has been charged as he would have been had he lit the match," she added.

"Roks risked human life for money. This risk materialized and greed and incompetence ended in tragedy," the judge concluded.

His wife, his family and friends who escorted Mr. Roks into the courthouse for the verdict and tried to shield his face from the media, all broke down in tears after he was found guilty.

Mr. Roks faces a mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for at least 10 years. He will be sentenced on Friday.


Source

[lewdyju]

Dumb A**

[Alan @ TanToday]

WOW, come on Toronto - chime in.

[MacDaddy]

Did they have to put his occupation in the headlines? Just another shot at the tanning industry that we're all a bunch of dump f@$ks.

If he were a meter reader for the gas company would they say "GAS company meter reader convicted in role in insurance fraud."?

[Uvangel]

Oh my god!! I was talking to him on Friday!! I am going to call his wife now.
You like how the paper had to add " tanning salon owner!"

[W8INLINE]

His salon is a few blocks away, and the person who died was a customer of mine, I found out a couple of years ago.

He looks like he put on some pounds from that picture.

[Uvangel]

Wow!!

[W8INLINE]

that's what I said....WOW!!!

[Uvangel]

W8INLINE: Can U believe this?? Adrian of all people! I would have never thought he would be involved with something like this!! WOW! His poor wife!

[Uvangel]

This has to be a joke!

[Uvangel]

a sick sick joke!

[Din]

A Sick joke that someone can do something like that.....

Funny part is....i don't think he owned the tanning salon at that time. He opened after the incident. I think..

I do agree though. What does his occupation have to do with his criminal acts.?

Not like he was a Cop or something that would have more to it....

That's gonna be one less salon now that i can steal lamps from....cuz i feel sorry for his wife.

[Uvangel]

He had one salon in 2001. I know Adrain. I don't believe he would have anything to do with something like this. I am at a loss for words!

[BASHMENT]

Has Two Salons : Scarboro And Pickering.

[Uvangel]

Yes now. Din said back in 2001. Then he only had 1.

[W8INLINE]

yeah.....I think he opened the scarborough one in 2000

[Din]

Originally Posted by Uvangel

He had one salon in 2001. I know Adrain. I don't believe he would have anything to do with something like this. I am at a loss for words!

Do you think he advertises that he blew up a building and killed someone to people just cuz he knows you....that's not something that would come up in conversation.

I wonder what is in store for his salons now......is the wife gonna continue running them?

[Uvangel]

Of course not!! He's just not that type of guy! His salons do well. He comes from money why would he put everything on the line??
As far as I know she will.

[Uvangel]

And he did not kill anyone!! The guy who passed away was one of the two men who started the fire!

[BIG AL]

He did kill someone. He may not have put a gun to the guy's head
and pulled the the trigger, but his actions caused the man's death. If he had not gotten these two guys to set fire to the place, the man would be alive.

What if it had been a Firefighter that had been killed, would you still say that he did not kill anyone?