During the bail hearing of Deepak Paradkar, an Ontario lawyer allegedly linked to a drug smuggling ring, his wife, Mandy Paradkar, testified that she had never witnessed him receiving extravagant gifts or suspicious cash from clients in their long marriage.
Federal prosecutors questioned Mandy about the couple’s finances and assets as she offered to act as a surety for her husband if he is granted bail. Deepak Paradkar is among eight Canadians arrested in connection with an FBI operation targeting former Olympic snowboarder turned drug kingpin Ryan Wedding.
Accusations by U.S. officials claim that Deepak, 62, advised Wedding on a federal witness’s murder, connected him with drug traffickers, and received payments in bulk cash drops and luxury items like watches. He was allegedly known as “cocaine_lawyer” on social media.
Mandy Paradkar stated under oath that while lawyers often received cash payments, she never found her husband’s receipts suspicious. She also denied knowledge of any gifts from clients beyond small tokens like alcohol or chocolates.
Despite the serious allegations, Mandy affirmed her trust in her husband’s innocence and their relationship. Deepak Paradkar has proposed stringent bail conditions, including house arrest and GPS monitoring, with a joint pledge of $5 million from him and his wife.