Cheryl Wierda

Contributor

The man believed to have been involved in bringing the Hells Angels to Kelowna has now been granted permission to have indirect contact with members of the group to deal with the province’s attempt to seize the local Hells Angels clubhouse.

The provincial director of civil forfeiture has claimed in court documents that the property was being used for criminal activity and is seeking that the Ellis Street property be turned over to the Crown.

Joseph Bruce Skreptak, who is awaiting sentencing on an aggravated assault charge, may only have indirect contact with members of the club by speaking to the lawyer representing the club in the court case, a justice ruled Tuesday.

Prior to this week, the 45-year-old was only allowed contact with Hells Angels Hal Porteous and Damiano Dipopolo for the purpose of selling a Kelowna home and a property in Mexico.

Otherwise, his bail conditions bar contact with the Hells Angels.

Other bail changes Tuesday allow for him to leave the house at 6 a.m., rather than 7 a.m., and change the way he is to notify his bail supervisor when he travels outside of Kelowna and West Kelowna.

Skreptak pleaded guilty in November to beating a man on Nov. 1, 2010. He is to be sentenced in late February.