VANCOUVER - For the first time in Canadian history, a lawyer has pleaded guilty to participating in the illicit activities of a criminal organization.

Vernon lawyer William Jacob Mastop entered the plea in B.C. Supreme Court Thursday, in the same high-security Vancouver courtroom where members of the Greeks gang were found guilty of murder Nov. 25.

Mastop admitted that he participated in, or contributed to, the criminal activities of the Greeks, five of whom were convicted in three brutal drug-related slayings dating back to 2004 and 2005.

Mastop, 46, will remain on bail until he is sentenced in the new year. His next appearance – to fix a date for a sentencing hearing – is Jan. 18.

The surprise guilty plea came as Mastop was due to go to trial next month.

His lawyer David Crossin began Friday’s proceedings by telling Associate Chief Justice Austin Cullen that he wanted to cancel jury selection, set for Jan. 8, and the trial, which had been scheduled to start Jan. 14.

The court clerk then read a new direct indictment containing one count, alleging that Mastop did “participate in or contribute to the activity of a criminal organization for the purpose of enhancing the ability of the criminal organization to facilitate or commit an indictable offence.”

Mastop stood up in the prisoner’s box and admitted his guilt.

He then left with Crossin after a few words with two family members who attended the brief appearance.

Outside court, Crown prosecutor David Jardine said the conviction is the first of its kind in the country.

“To my knowledge there has been no other case in Canada where a lawyer has been charged – and now admitted – to participating in the activities of a criminal organization. So it is unprecedented from that point of view,” Jardine said.

He indicated in court he would be seeking a federal prison sentence for Mastop, which means longer than two years.

But he would not elaborate, saying he preferred to make his submissions before the sentencing judge.

Nor would he comment on the fact a member of the legal profession had admitted to working for a criminal organization.

“I think that will be part of my submissions to the trial judge when we make the pitch for what we think is the appropriate sentence,” Jardine said.

Asked why Mastop changed his plea, Jardine speculated that the conviction of all five gang killers, followed two days later by a ruling allowing into evidence intercepted telephone calls between the lawyer and members of the violent gang may have led to the change of heart.

“My guess is those two factors put together may have assisted the resolution of this matter,” Jardine said.

Under Mastop’s bail conditions, he is not allowed to practise law pending his sentencing hearing.

Jardine said it will be up to the Law Society of B.C. to decide whether he is disbarred permanently from the profession.

Law Society communications manager Robyn Crisanti said a disciplinary process will get underway as soon as Mastop is sentenced.