Wife of ex-spy watchdog boss Arthur Porter seeks bail in Montreal court

MONTREAL – The wife of Canada’s former spy watchdog is in a Montreal courtroom today trying to secure bail.

Pamela Porter is accused of helping her husband, Arthur Porter, launder millions of dollars.

She has been detained since being captured by authorities in Panama at the end of May.

The evidence presented is subject to a publication ban. Porter herself took the stand as did two police officers who testified for the Crown.

Prosecutors have opposed bail because they believe she is a flight risk.

Pamela Porter faces one charge of conspiracy as well as another related to laundering more than $22 million.

Meanwhile, Arthur Porter remains in a Panamanian prison and is fighting his extradition to Canada on the grounds his arrest was illegal because he has diplomatic immunity.

The former head of the Security Intelligence Review Committee faces several charges related to alleged scams in the awarding of a $1.3-billion Montreal hospital contract.

He says he’s done nothing wrong.