‘I owe him everything’

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This article was published 03/03/2012 (5197 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

His lawyer described him as possibly the “most hated man in Canada” but Graham James has won a handful of new fans overseas in the form of three young men he has reportedly showered with cash and friendship.

The trio — whose names are protected by a court-ordered publication ban — filed letters of support for the 59-year-old James in an attempt to keep him out of jail for sexually assaulting several former hockey players. The Free Press reviewed copies of the reference letters this week.

“The first question that comes to mind in reading these letters is, ‘how old are they?'” Crown attorney Colleen McDuff told court during James’ sentencing hearing on Feb. 22. Their ages are not stated in the letters.

McDuff noted all of James’ sexual offences involved grooming his victims by plying them with financial support. She also noted James admits he continues to have a sexual attraction to young men in their late teens or early 20s.

The three men say they met James in Colombia, Peru and Mexico while he was stationed there by the Montreal-based technology company for which he works . They all describe how James entered their lives in the past six or seven years and either currently or recently paid their way through post-secondary education. They all claim to be aware of his legal issues.

“I can attest he is a rehabilitated person, upright in his behaviour, kind, cultured, smart and, for me, admirable in every sense of the word. He has been someone who, in my particular case, has given everything, expecting nothing in return,” said one man, who is currently in the faculty of law at a university in Colombia thanks to James. He said James comforted him following an accident a few years ago.

“Graham was always there for me, offering me his moral support for I was enduring a severe depression. I owe it to him the fact I’m still alive,” he wrote.

“Graham continued to look after me. I was working as a waiter and the little money I made was hardly enough to make ends meet.”

The young man from Peru described James as the “father figure I never had.” He described how James paid for his mother to move to Argentina to be closer to family members and financed his university studies.

“He always offered me good advice, encouraged me and would give everything I was in need of it that was within his reach,” the man wrote.

“I owe him everything. His immeasurable support without ever expecting any kind of consideration has made me see he’s an outstanding person, noble, whole-hearted and impeccable in his behaviour.”

The young Mexican man described how James helped him and his family, along with another poor family in their community, which included eight children. James would regularly give them money and even bought them a television.

“I feel fortunate Graham James came into my life, that he is my friend. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a friend like him,” said the man, who is completing his Ph.D. thanks to James.

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