Fraud, Breach of Trust Charges to be laid against 4 Former SQ Cops

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Several media sources reported on Tuesday that four former top cops at the Sûreté du Québec, including former chief Richard Deschesnes, will soon be facing fraud-related charges. According to allegations laid against them, money allocated in a reserved fund for special police investigations, having an annual budget of about $25 million, was allegedly misused to pay out as severance.

An extensive investigation was laid out by Stéphane Bergeron when he became minister of public security with the election of the Parti Québécois in September 2012. The minister mentioned in a statement issued in Quebec City on 2002, that “the facts alleged are extremely troubling.” The charges include breach of trust, fraud and theft of more than $5,000. Among those allegedly facing charges are Deschesnes and his assistant chief responsible for criminal investigations, Jean Audette, both of whom have been on paid leave for more than a year. The other two suspects being charged are both retired, namely include an assistant director until March 2010, Steven Chabot, and a former chief inspector Alfred Tremblay.

However, having highlighted the news of suspected charges that might arise against named suspects, it must be stated that none of these allegations have been aired or proven in court. Whereas official details of the charges are expected to follow on Tuesday. According to Article 122 of the federal Criminal Code, any public officer judged guilty of breach of trust or fraud can be sentenced to a prison term not exceeding five years.