THUNDER BAY - A preliminary hearing for the case against Thunder Bay mayor, Keith Hobbs, got underway in a Thunder Bay Courtroom on Monday.
Hobbs and his wife, Marissa Hobbs, are both facing charges of extortion and obstruction of justice. Mary Voss is also facing a charge of extortion. They were first charged by the Ontario Provincial Police in July, 2017.
According to court documents, the charges against Keith and Marisa Hobbs and Voss allege the three of them attempted to “induce Alexander 'Sandy' Zaitzeff to purchase a house, by threats, accusations or menace of disclosing criminal allegations to the police, thereby committing extortion.”
Keith and Marissa Hobbs and Voss all appeared in person before Justice Gibson, who will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Hobbs is represented by Toronto attorney, Brian Greenspan, while Voss is represented by local attorney, George Joseph.
On Monday, Crown prosecutor, Peter Keen, provided an opening statement. A publication ban is in place on all evidence, witnesses, and testimony presented during the preliminary hearing.
The hearing is scheduled to take place over the next nine days and 19 witnesses are expected to be called.
