Criminal Justice Branch Media Statements for 2010

Dec. 21, 2010

Decision of Special Prosecutor Announced
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that independent special prosecutor Kris S. Pechet has approved a charge of theft under $5000.00 against Mathew Paul Moller, who is the adult son of a British Columbia judge. An information charging Mr. Moller was sworn in Prince Rupert Provincial Court on Nov. 30, 2010. The first appearance in the matter is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2011 in Prince Rupert.

Dec. 3, 2010

R. v. Betty Krawczyk
Victoria - On Dec. 2, 2010, the B.C. Court of Appeal issued its decision in the sentence appeal of Betty Krawczyk in relation to her conviction for contempt of court. The Criminal Justice Branch became involved in the matter in June 2006 after Justice Brown invited the attorney general to conduct proceedings in relation to the arrests of Krawczyk on the May 25 and 31 and June 27, 2006. Krawczyk was arrested for violating the area restrictions set out in an injunction restraining protestors from interfering with work on a project involving the expansion of the Sea-to-Sky Highway.

Nov. 2, 2010

Special Prosecutor Considine Approves Charges
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that independent special prosecutor Christopher M. Considine, QC, has approved a charge under the Environmental Management Act against LeMare Lake Logging Ltd. of Port McNeill. An Information charging the company with introducing waste into the environment, contrary to sections 6(3) and 120(3)(a) of the Environmental Management Act, was sworn Nov. 1, 2010 in Provincial Court in Port Hardy.

Oct. 21, 2010

Decision of Special Prosecutor Bruneau Announced
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that independent special prosecutor Robert A. Bruneau has approved proceeding with the prosecution of Kiel Samotej and David Christopher Macdonald on a charge of assault.

Aug. 30, 2010

Charges Laid In Mushroom Farm Investigation
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that charges under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations have been laid against two companies and four individuals, following an investigation into an incident on Sept. 5, 2008 at a mushroom farm and composting plant in Langley. Three individuals died and two others suffered injury when overcome by gas in an enclosed space at the facility.

Aug. 6, 2010

Special Prosecutor Appointed
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General today announced that an independent special prosecutor, Gail Barnes, has been appointed to take conduct of a prosecution of three young persons, one of whom is the child of a British Columbia judge. In accordance with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the names of the young persons or other information that would identify the young persons may not be published.

July 20, 2010

Special Prosecutor Appointed
Victoria -The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that Robert A. Bruneau has been appointed as an independent special prosecutor in the matter of Kiel Samotej and David Christopher Macdonald.

July 15, 2010

Timely Reviews and More Disclosure for Special Prosecutors
Victoria - In a report on the special prosecutors system, provided to B.C. Attorney General Michael de Jong, QC, Stephen Owen, vice-president of external, legal and community relations for the University of British Columbia, calls for regular six-month updates to improve timeliness of charge assessments, more frequent review and renewal of the special prosecutors’ list and more stringency in identifying potential conflicts of interest.

July 6, 2010

Criminal Justice Branch Announces Decision of Special Prosecutor
Victoria - A review conducted by independent special prosecutor Mark Jetté has resulted in the laying of a criminal charge against Sgt. George Chong of the Victoria Police Department. Chong is the brother of the Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport.

June 29, 2010

Special Prosecutor Concludes his Review of the Braidwood Report
Victoria - Special prosecutor Richard Peck, QC, recommended the initial charge assessment in the death of Robert Dziekanski should be revisited, citing among other reasons that the Braidwood Commission Report into the death refers to “factual material that was not available to the Branch at the time [of the initial charge assessment decision], including but not limited to expert video analysis and expert opinions relating to the reasonableness of the escalation and de-escalation of force.”

June 25, 2010

Decision of Special Prosecutor Announced
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that independent special prosecutor Robin McFee, QC, has approved charges against Grant Sanborn following an investigation into allegations of improper conduct on the part of former officials with the City of Chilliwack. McFee has not approved charges against Member of the Legislative Assembly and former mayor of Chilliwack, John Les.

June 21, 2010

Special Prosecutor Appointed to Review Braidwood Report
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that Richard Peck, QC, has been appointed as an independent special prosecutor to review the report of the Braidwood Commission on the death of Robert Dziekanski.

Peck was appointed June 18, 2010 by assistant deputy attorney general Robert W. G. Gillen, QC, to determine whether, in view of the evidence heard at the Braidwood Inquiry and the findings and recommendations of commissioner Braidwood, it is appropriate to reassess the decision of the Criminal Justice Branch not to prosecute any of the officers involved in the incident. Peck is also to review other conduct of the officers in connection with the incident.

June 15, 2010

No Charges in Giraffe Case
The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that no charges will be laid against the Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre or its operators following a review of an investigative report submitted by investigators with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals. The report focused specifically on the circumstances surrounding the condition and death of a giraffe at the facility. An explanation of the decision is contained in the attached clear statement.

June 10, 2010

Special Prosecutor Appointed
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that Mark R. Jetté has been appointed as an independent special prosecutor in connection with a police investigation relating to Sgt. George Chong of the Victoria Police Department. Sgt. Chong is the brother of the Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport for the Province of British Columbia.

May 7, 2010

Special Prosecutor Appointed
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that Peter Wilson, QC, a senior Vancouver lawyer, has been appointed as independent special prosecutor to take conduct of the matter arising from an investigation into alleged offences involving the campaign office of Kash Heed. Wilson replaces previous special prosecutor Terrence Robertson, QC who resigned his appointment on May 4, 2010. While acting as special prosecutor, Robertson oversaw the laying of certain charges, some pursuant to the Criminal Code and others pursuant to the Election Act. The Criminal Justice Branch has concluded that in the circumstances the appointment of Wilson is not precluded or restricted.

May 4, 2010

Special Prosecutor Withdraws From Case
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that special prosecutor Terrence Robertson, QC has withdrawn from the case arising from an investigation into the campaign office of Kash Heed.

Assistant deputy attorney general Robert W.G. Gillen, QC has accepted Robertson's decision and will be taking steps forthwith to appoint a new special prosecutor to oversee conduct of the case.

May 4, 2010

Special Prosecutor Approves Charge
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that independent special prosecutor Michael Tammen of Vancouver has approved a charge against a lawyer employed by the Criminal Justice Branch.

An Information charging Ravinder Dusanjh with one count of failing or refusing to comply with a demand to provide a sample of his breath, contrary to Section 254(5) of the Criminal Code, was sworn April 23, 2010 in Provincial Court in Smithers.

May 3, 2010

Special Prosecutor Approves Charges
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that special prosecutor Terrence Robertson, QC has approved charges under the Election Act and the Criminal Code following an investigation into possible offences involving the campaign office of Kash Heed. Three charges under the Election Act and three charges under the Criminal Code have been approved against Barinder Sail, three charges under the Election Act and two charges under the Criminal Code have been approved against Dinesh Khanna and a single count under the Election Act has been approved against Satpal Johl. The special prosecutor has not approved any charges against Kash Heed.

April 28, 2010

Special Prosecutor Jetté Approves Charges
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that independent special prosecutor Mark Jetté has approved a charge against MLA Jane Ann Thornthwaite of operating a motor vehicle while having a blood alcohol level over 80 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood, contrary to section 253(b) of the Criminal Code.

April 9, 2010

Criminal Justice Branch Announces Appointment of Special Prosecutor
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General today announced that Mark R. Jetté has been appointed as a special prosecutor in connection with a police investigation involving member of the legislative assembly Jane Ann Thornthwaite.

April 9, 2010

Criminal Justice Branch Announces Appointment of Special Prosecutor
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that Terrence L. Robertson, QC, has been appointed as a special prosecutor in connection with a police investigation into possible offences involving the campaign office of former Solicitor General Kash Heed.

March 16, 2010

Charges Laid in Queen of the North Sinking
Victoria - The Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of Attorney General announced that navigating officer Karl Lilgert has been charged with criminal negligence causing the deaths of Gerald Foisy and Shirley Rosette in the sinking of the Queen of the North on March 22, 2006.

March 4, 2010

Criminal Justice Branch Announces Decision of Special Prosecutor
Victoria - A review conducted by independent special prosecutor John Waddell, QC, has resulted in the laying of criminal charges against Ronald Danderfer, Dr. Jonathan Burns and James Roy Taylor.