(Canadian Press) – A former Alberta RCMP officer who was falsely accused of sexual assault will be getting a public apology in addition to a cash settlement.
John Hudak, 54, sued the RCMP and Alberta Justice for $5 million, claiming his reputation was irrevocably damaged by the charges, which were laid when he was a Mountie stationed in Rocky Mountain House.
Hudak was eventually acquitted at a trial in 2002 in Red Deer, where it was revealed the complainant lied.
Part of the out-of-court deal is that Hudak cannot disclose the amount of the monetary settlement.
A spokesman for Alberta Justice says Hudak will be getting a public apology from Minister Ron Stevens and from the force he once served sometime in the next week.
More than seven years after the wrongful charges, Hudak says he still respects the RCMP and won’t condemn the force for what he calls the ineptitude of a few.
When the RCMP charges out on a witch hunt it leaves no stone unturned to obtain its objective, right or wrong. The case referred to here never should have gotten to the stage it did. Acquitted in trial in 2002 and it took 5 years to come to some resolve? Absolutely grotesque. Certainly speaks well of the man that he retains no malice toward the organization that should have been overseeing the entire affair to ensure fairness and accuracy in the first place.
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I have counted 21 members who have or are suing the Force. Yep, there appears to be a problem. The RCMP Mission, Vision and Values seem to be thrown out the window by management whenever it suits them. I don’t think they know how to conduct a thorough, independent and impartial investigation when it come to a member. The Force will do anything to protect it’s image.
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