The chief military Judge, accused of fraud and inappropriate relationship

Photo archive

Christopher Nardi

Thursday, 25 January 2018 16:10

UPDATE
Thursday, 25 January 2018 16:10

Look at this article

OTTAWA-For the first time in canadian history, the military Judge-in-chief of Canada, has just been accused of fraud and of having had a personal relationship as “inappropriate” with a female employee.

According to the national investigation Service canadian Forces, the Judge Mario Dutil is facing a charge of fraud and one of having made a false declaration. These are in connection with a reimbursement of travel expenses that were not related to his duties in September 2015.

This discovery was made in the course of another investigation launched by the end of 2014 against the judge in connection with a relationship he maintained with a subordinate. According to national Defence, this relationship lasted from 2014 to 2015 and was contrary to the national defence Act.

According to a spokesperson of the national Defence, it is indeed the first time a chief military Judge is accused of fraud and of having had an inappropriate relationship.

The uniqueness of the situation will pose a “unique challenge” on the canadian military justice system, admits the Judge advocate general, commodore Geneviève Bernatchez.

“Today’s announcement reminds us that, as in the civilian system of justice, nobody is above the law […] I am fully confident that we have the processes in place to deal with this case fairly, and in accordance with the law”, she stated through a press.

The judge Mario Dutil is a native of Quebec and studied law at the Université Laval. He became the chief military Judge in June 2006.

More details to come.