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

Fear of avian flu on BC farms

Fear of avian flu on BC farms
The threat is avian flu, which has resulted in the deaths of millions of birds from infection or culling, and has become a pervasive fear for farmers as infections spread, said Brittain, chief information officer with the BC Poultry Association.

Fear of avian flu on BC farms

Man dies in Vancouver stabbing

Man dies in Vancouver stabbing
Vancouver police are investigating the city's latest homicide. A 34-year-old man was fatally stabbed yesterday afternoon on the city's Downtown Eastside and was found lying on a sidewalk at about 3 p.m.

Man dies in Vancouver stabbing

B.C. opposition parties heat up climate debate with attacks on NDP's plans

B.C. opposition parties heat up climate debate with attacks on NDP's plans
Climate change has become a hot button political issue in British Columbia with opposition parties launching election-style attacks on the New Democrat government's clean climate policies. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad told a news conference at the legislature that the NDP's climate policies are taxing people into poverty and they don't do anything "to change the weather."  

B.C. opposition parties heat up climate debate with attacks on NDP's plans

Israel-Hamas hostage deal offers hope for longer-term peace in Gaza: Trudeau

Israel-Hamas hostage deal offers hope for longer-term peace in Gaza: Trudeau
The Israeli government said it would extend the truce by an additional day for every 10 hostages released, while Hamas is promising that hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including fuel, will be allowed to enter Gaza.

Israel-Hamas hostage deal offers hope for longer-term peace in Gaza: Trudeau

Fighting inflation half-heartedly would be ‘huge mistake,’ BoC's Macklem warns

Fighting inflation half-heartedly would be ‘huge mistake,’ BoC's Macklem warns
The central bank opted to hold its key interest rate steady at five per cent at its last two decision meetings as economic growth halts. It has said it is also taking into consideration that many Canadians will have to renew their mortgages at higher interest rates, meaning more economic pullback is on the way.

Fighting inflation half-heartedly would be ‘huge mistake,’ BoC's Macklem warns

Immigration minister welcomes news Canadians can get tourist visas to India again

Immigration minister welcomes news Canadians can get tourist visas to India again
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he's happy to hear that Canadians can once again apply online for tourist visas to India after two months of diplomatic tensions. The decision, which is effective as of today, was confirmed in a statement on social media by the High Commission of India in Ottawa. 

Immigration minister welcomes news Canadians can get tourist visas to India again