Ottawa police have filed several charges against a Quebec man accused of impersonating a Canadian soldier during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, and said Monday there’s “always the possibility” of additional charges.
Police said Saturday they had charged 32-year-old Franck Gervais with four offences, including two separate counts of personating a public officer.
Gervais first attracted attention after he was interviewed on television by CBC News while wearing a soldier’s uniform. Impersonating a soldier is illegal under the Criminal Code.
“Well, for me it’s first to remember what people have done for us,” Gervais told the CBC’s Diana Swain, who asked the man about attending the ceremony.
The network was soon inundated with complaints as viewers questioned Gervais’ authenticity.
“To civilian eyes, he appeared to be an authentic soldier,” the network said in a statement on Wednesday. “We have since learned that he was not, that his uniform was not correct, and that he was wearing medals he had not earned.”
WATCH: The CBC interviewed Franck Gervais during Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.
Police also charged Gervais with one count each of unlawful use of military uniforms and unlawful use of military decoration.
Gervais was arrested after attending an Ottawa police station on Saturday. He was later released, and must appear in court on Dec. 9.
Gervais and his wife live in Cantley, Qc. He works at Potvin Construction in Rockland, Ont. A company manager told Global News this week that Gervais had been suspended with pay while police investigate.
Police said the investigation into Gervais continues, and said additional charges are possible.
“Right now, for the incident itself—investigators were able to charge him on four counts of criminal code offences,” Const. Chuck Benoit said Monday. “And that’s what they have on him for the event of the 11th of November. But the investigation wasn’t concluded, so if there are other matters they have to deal with … investigators will let us know.”
With files from Erika Tucker
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