A 22-year-old paraplegic who has launched a $17-million lawsuit arising from his incarceration in the Toronto (Don) Jail on drug charges now has another court date in sight: He has been charged with dealing cocaine, marijuana and Ecstasy from his room at St. Michael's Hospital, where it's alleged he was also in possession of a loaded handgun and a bulletproof vest.
Under police guard at the hospital while awaiting a court appearance is Venkat Milligan, accused of trying to sell drugs to an undercover police officer.
Toronto police released an outline of the charges in a press release but would not disclose the name of the accused man, nor that of the hospital, citing privacy constraints.
However, The Globe and Mail has established that he is Mr. Milligan, the focus of a sympathetic Toronto Star story earlier this month outlining his difficulties while he was in the Don Jail in late 2007, and that he was arrested Wednesday at St. Michael's.
The charges allege that Mr. Milligan communicated by telephone with the undercover officer and invited him to the hospital coffee shop where - confined to a wheelchair and clad in a hospital gown - he sold the officer cocaine.
Staff Inspector Mario Di Tommaso, who heads the drug squad, said the undercover officer who allegedly bought the cocaine from Mr. Milligan had no idea who the target of the sting was until the two men met in the cafeteria Wednesday evening.
"He was really surprised when he saw the accused in a hospital gown and a wheelchair."
Staff Insp. Di Tommaso agreed the circumstances were highly unusual.
"What's particularly disturbing is that this individual endangered the health and safety of fellow patients by engaging in this high-risk behaviour, particularly when these patients are most vulnerable. A hospital is typically known as a place of safety."
Further investigation revealed that a loaded handgun and a bulletproof vest were allegedly found in Mr. Milligan's room, along with other drugs.
In all, he faces 11 charges.
Five are related to the gun and ammunition. Four allege Mr. Milligan was in possession of cocaine, marijuana and MDMA, better known as Ecstasy. A 10th charge alleges he was in possession of the proceeds of crime, which in drug-trafficking allegations usually means cash. The 11th alleges he was in possession of a handgun in violation of a prohibition order.
According to the newspaper article, published Jan. 6, Mr. Milligan's lawsuit targets medical staff at the Don Jail and the province, which administers it.
Most of the Don's 600-plus inmates are there awaiting trial or a bail hearing.
In Mr. Milligan's case, stemming from his incarceration over drug-possession charges, his 19-page statement of claim alleges he was forced to do without his wheelchair and unable to relieve himself properly, leaving him sitting in his waste for hours.
"They didn't believe my paralysis," he was quoted as saying.
His lawyer in the lawsuit, Julian Falconer, told the paper this was "one of the most horrendous examples of in-custody torture I've ever seen."
In a statement of defence, doctors at the Don said Mr. Milligan received "careful attention and monitoring."
Reached yesterday, it was unclear whether Mr. Falconer was aware of his client's latest round of troubles, but he said that in any case the suit would proceed.
"Absolutely," he said.
"The lawsuit is as legitimate today as it was yesterday. The mistreatment of Mr. Milligan at the Don Jail remains as much an issue today as it did yesterday."
Mr. Falconer would not discuss Mr. Milligan's current situation, citing solicitor-client privilege.
St. Michael's Hospital did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Hospitals, however, rarely disclose to the media any information about patients beyond their condition, citing privacy considerations.