Canada’s former Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Jona-than Vance has pleaded guilty to one charge of ob-struction of justice in connection to a recent military sex scandal, Global news reported on Wednesday.
The public became aware of the allegations against Vance, who is accused of misconduct by two female subordinates, in February that set off a political firestorm that plagued the Canadian Armed Forces and the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Guilty, your honor,” the report quoted Vance as telling an Ontario Court of Justice judge.
Vance was granted a conditional discharge for the term of 12 month, meaning the country’s former top military commander will not have a criminal record, should he comply with the terms set out by the judge. The judge in the case has ordered Vance to complete 80 hours of community service and forego communication with one of the alleged victims.
The charge against Vance was laid by the Cana-dian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) last July following a six-month long investigation.
The Canadian military sex scandal took several turns, with Vance’s replacement, Adm. Art McDon-ald, being forced to step down amid similar allega-tions weeks after his appointment and the govern-ment’s former COVID-19 vaccine distribution czar, Maj. Gen. Dany Fortin, was forced to resign from his post last May and has since been charged with one count of sexual assault by police in Quebec.—AP
