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Four Toronto-area paralegals stand accused in an alleged corruption scheme that wrongly-eliminated convictions for traffic tickets.

The four paralegals — Ben Zappia, Ben Bennardo, Payam Javadi and Philip Alexiu — were charged with breach of trust, fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

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All were released on their own recognizance from Ontario Court of Justice at 2201 Finch Ave. W.

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Zappia, 44, Bennardo, 30, Javadi, 37, and Alexiu, 38, will be back in court on May 27.

Bennardo’s father attended the brief court hearing.

None of the private-practice paralegals have been suspended and none have criminal records.

The four accused will join City of Toronto court clerk Frank Rizzello in court on May 27, who was charged in February in connection with same allegations.

The four paralegals were released under conditions barring them from attending traffic court at 2700 Eglinton Ave. W. and from contacting the more than 130 people whose convictions were allegedly erased.