MONTREAL – The former head of the Quebec provincial police force is among four former top cops facing fraud, theft and breach of trust charges.
Charges filed in Montreal name Richard Deschenes, the force’s former director-general, former assistant director Steven Chabot, Alfred Tremblay, a former assistant director of investigations, and Jean Audette, another ex-assistant director in charge of investigations.
The group is charged with fraud and breach of trust in the performance of their duties and stealing more than $5,000 from the Quebec government and the provincial police force.
The charges say the acts allegedly committed by Deschenes, Chabot and Tremblay were committed on or around March 17, 2010, while those allegedly committed by Audette happened between Oct. 27, 2011, and Oct. 15, 2012.
All four have been summoned to appear in court on Feb. 13.
According to published reports, the four officers used money from a fund that included funds for criminal investigations to pay severances.
The annual amount paid to the fund is approximately $25 million.
The fraud allegations prompted Quebec Public Safety Minister Stephane Bergeron to establish a special investigative committee at the end of 2012.
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