Court hearing for former NHLer and Barrie police officer facing extortion charges
Barrie police Insp. Valarie Gates testified in the preliminary hearing for suspended Sgt. Bruce Gardiner, who stands charged with extortion and criminal harassment.
Court documents reveal Gardiner, who’s been a member of Barrie police for 19 years, is accused of having, without reasonable justification or excuse and with intent to obtain compliance, threatened to release sensitive photographs of the complainant, an individual police confirm is a member of the Barrie Police Service.
Barrie police said the alleged conduct occurred while off-duty between 2016 and 2018.
The complainant’s identity and evidence heard in court are protected by a publication ban.
Court documents also show Gardiner faced similar charges in April 2009, including criminal harassment and voyeurism, following an investigation by the OPP. Those charges were withdrawn a year later when Gardiner entered into a peace bond.
Fifteen years later, Gardiner finds himself facing allegations for which he has been suspended again with pay.
Gardiner’s proceedings are taking place while Gates is before a Police Services Act Tribunal, charged with discreditable conduct. Her matter was addressed Thursday over teleconference. It was adjourned until next month following another defence request for disclosure of evidence.
Barrie Police Service confirmed the charge against Gates, a 27-year police veteran, was laid following an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police Office of Professionalism, Respect, Inclusion and Leadership.
Gates made several appearances at the Barrie Courthouse during Gardiner’s January court hearings.
It‘s unclear whether the criminal charges against Gardiner and the Police Services Act charge against Gates are related.
Barrie-born Gardiner played for four NHL teams in six seasons from 1996 to 2002, scoring the first-ever goal in Columbus Blue Jackets history. He was inducted in 2017 as a member of the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame.
Gardiner’s matter will be back before a judge in May.
The allegations against him have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Pope apologizes after using 'homophobic terms'
Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Man convicted in attack on Pelosi's husband back in court after judge's error
A man who assaulted U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in 2022 will have another day in court on Tuesday after the federal judge overseeing the case failed to allow him to speak during his sentencing hearing earlier this month.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.