RCMP Watch

Carly Weeks, CanWest News ServiceThe RCMP deputy commissioner recently suspended from the force as a result of her alleged role in the ongoing scandal involving the Mounties’ pension fund insisted on her innocence and said she believes the truth will eventually exonerate her from wrongdoing in a nationally televised interview aired Sunday.

“I don’t feel I’m going to be the fall person. I feel that ultimately the truth will come out and that the facts will be put forward,” Barbara George said.

George is the only person who has so far faced disciplinary action over the pension scandal. While her suspension has taken a toll on her personal life, George said she won’t give up her battle to clear her name.

“I have to say I was very surprised and very shocked, very taken aback,” she said. “However, I have to maintain my faith in the truth and in our systems and I believe that ultimately the facts will come out.”

George has been accused of participating in the misuse of the force’s pension fund and also of perjuring herself at a House of Commons committee after several RCMP officers contradicted her earlier testimony about an investigation into problems with the pension fund.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Frizzell, a key investigator on the Ottawa police probe into the misuse of pension and insurance funds, told MPs he believes George was responsible for the nearly $600,000 improperly withdrawn from the insurance account to repay money taken out of the pension plan.

He also told MPs he was convinced he was removed from the investigation of the pension fund because he questioned George and another executive about money missing from the plan.

But in an appearance at the Commons public accounts committee last week, George denied misleading MPs and said she had nothing to do with Staff Sgt. Frizzell’s removal from the investigation. She said she had fielded complaints about his aggressive and harassing behaviour when interviewing witnesses, but she did not direct the order to pull him off the case

During Sunday’s interview, George said she believes there is widespread discontent within the RCMP over the ongoing controversy with the pension fund and the fact an earlier investigation resulted in no criminal charges or clear answers about who may have committed any wrongdoing.

Despite the continued questions about her involvement in the scandal, George defended her innocence and said she will continue to fight to prove that to Parliament.

“To clear my name, I will go back to the committee until the end of time if I have to,” she said.