Faruk Zorlu
16 March 2023•Update: 16 March 2023
ANKARA
A Canadian general acquitted of sexual assault last year has filed a lawsuit against the government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for $6 million, local media reported.
Dany Fortin, who was removed as a logistical leader of the vaccine rollout in 2021, is suing 16 high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former defense and health ministers over defamation and misfeasance in public office.
The lawsuit filed on Wednesday with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice accused the officials of "reprehensible, extreme, flagrant and high-handed" conduct and seeks $5 million in general damages and $1 million in punitive damages, according to the Canadian Press, citing the statement of claim.
The document claimed that Fortin suffered "damages due to defamation and misfeasance in public office."
It also blamed Trudeau and other officials for "negligent investigation, the inappropriate public disclosure of private facts, breach of confidence, and conspiracy to cause damages."
Trudeau, former ministers, and senior military officials terminated Fortin's post at the Public Health Agency of Canada for an alleged sexual assault during his military college years, according to the report.
Fortin was charged with sexual assault in August 2021 and acquitted of the charge in December.
