Ottawa police officers accused of providing info to tow-truck drivers for fees

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Police Service was shaken Thursday after three of its officers were arrested and charged with allegedly selling information on car accidents to tow-truck drivers.

The charges against constables Hussein Assaad, Kevin Putinski and Andrew Chronopoulos were announced by the RCMP following a 10-month investigation, which was first sparked by a request for help from the Ottawa Police Service last summer.

Each officer faces one count of breach of trust and secret commissions. Assaad is accused of obstruction of justice, providing unauthorized access to confidential police databases and conspiracy to commit break and enter and theft while Putinski faces one count of fraud under $5,000.

Three Ottawa residents — Jason Ishraki, Veronika Ishraki and Marwan Sablani — have also arrested and charged in connection with the RCMP investigation.

Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly said the city force was first tipped off that an officer was engaged in "alleged criminal behavior related to corrupt practice" in June, at which point it asked the RCMP's anti-corruption unit to launch an investigation.

"The charges that the RCMP laid today are very serious," Sloly said in a statement.

"These allegations against three of our members will likely shake the trust and confidence that OPS members have worked long and hard to earn with the public. Every member of the OPS will be troubled by this news as we hold our oath of office and our organization’s values in the highest regard."

Sloly nonetheless the defended the rest of his officers, insisting the charges "do not reflect on their overall integrity" of the Ottawa Police Service while announcing several new measures to increase accountability within the force.