Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Former MP Raj Grewal sues for damages following acquittal last year

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Feb, 2024 10:49 AM
  • Former MP Raj Grewal sues for damages following acquittal last year

Former Liberal MP Raj Grewal is seeking millions of dollars in damages from the RCMP and the Ontario attorney general after being acquitted of using his political office for personal gain.

In a statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court, Grewal's counsel alleges the Mounties were negligent in their investigation and that the Crown breached his right to a fair trial by unreasonably pursuing the prosecution.

Grewal left the federal Liberal caucus in 2018 after his gambling problem came to light, and he chose not to run for re-election in the Ontario riding of Brampton East the following year. 

In 2020, the RCMP charged him with four counts of breach of trust and one count of fraud over $5,000.

The Crown alleged that Grewal offered access to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and help with immigration files in exchange for large loans that went toward his gambling debt. 

A judge concluded that a reasonable jury, given proper instruction, would not have been able to return a guilty verdict, and she therefore acquitted Grewal of the two breach of trust counts still on the table at that point.

Grewal says while he sought financial help from friends and family to cover gambling losses, he never did so in connection with his duties or privileges as an MP. 

"The fundamental flaws in the case against Mr. Grewal were obvious from the early stages of the investigation," reads the statement of claim.

"The State must not be permitted to use the coercive powers of the criminal justice system to pursue meritless charges."

Grewal's acquittal, on its own, does not rectify or excuse the RCMP's negligence and the Crown's misuse of the criminal justice system, adds the statement.

It says Grewal suffered "significant and ongoing damages" as a result of these actions, as he was forced to live with the social stigma of being an accused person and suffered irreparable damage to his budding political career.

"He was also forced to incur the significant expense of retaining and instructing counsel to represent him in a criminal proceeding that lasted far longer than it reasonably should have," the statement reads.

"To this day, as the enduring damage to his reputation persists despite his acquittal, Mr. Grewal continues to face difficulty obtaining reasonable financing to purchase commercial and personal assets, among other business losses."

The provincial attorney general and the RCMP will have an opportunity to respond to Grewal's unproven allegations as the court case unfolds.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Former RCMP official Cameron Jay Ortis found guilty of breaching secrets law

Former RCMP official Cameron Jay Ortis found guilty of breaching secrets law
A jury has found former RCMP intelligence official Cameron Jay Ortis guilty of breaching Canada's secrets law. Jurors declared Ortis guilty of three counts of violating the Security of Information Act and one count of attempting to do so in a verdict delivered on Wednesday.

Former RCMP official Cameron Jay Ortis found guilty of breaching secrets law

Firearms charge for wanted Surrey man

Firearms charge for wanted Surrey man
Surrey Mounties say charges have been laid against a wanted man who was arrested last week, allegedly while in possession of a loaded gun. Mounties say officers were patrolling on Saturday when they recognized the 42-year-old man from a previous incident.  

Firearms charge for wanted Surrey man

Crane lowers three injured workers to safety after Vancouver scaffolding collapse

Crane lowers three injured workers to safety after Vancouver scaffolding collapse
A crane was used to extract three injured workers to safety in downtown Vancouver after a facade fell off a church building onto scaffolding.  Samantha Newlove, a traffic control worker, said the incident happened on Wednesday as concrete was being pumped into a chimney on the building, which burst, toppled over and pushed over a scaffolding tower, pinning workers underneath. 

Crane lowers three injured workers to safety after Vancouver scaffolding collapse

BC's speculation tax on homes expands

BC's speculation tax on homes expands
One of British Columbia's first measures to combat the housing crisis is being expanded to include 13 more communities. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy says the New Democrat government's speculation and vacancy tax will now apply to 59 B.C. cities and towns. 

BC's speculation tax on homes expands

Health Canada approves nationwide removal of blood donor ban sparked by mad cow fears

Health Canada approves nationwide removal of blood donor ban sparked by mad cow fears
Canadian Blood Services says almost 30 years of research and surveillance has made it clear that people who weren't eligible to donate under the travel criteria can do so safely.  The agency's medical officer, Dr. Aditi Khandelwal, says lifting the ban will not impact the safety of the blood supply and will allow thousands more people to donate much-needed blood.   

Health Canada approves nationwide removal of blood donor ban sparked by mad cow fears

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk to join mission to International Space Station

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk to join mission to International Space Station
Joshua Kutryk has been assigned to a six-month mission that will launch no earlier than the beginning of 2025. François-Philippe Champagne, federal minister of innovation, science and industry, made the announcement today at the Canadian Space Agency headquarters, near Montreal

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk to join mission to International Space Station