Ottawa Police Inspector resigns amid witness tampering accusations

Donald Best is reporting that "After allegations of Criminal Intimidation of a Witness and Obstruct Justice – Ottawa Police Inspector Hugh O’Toole resigned and now works as a lawyer at a Kemptville legal firm. On January 10, 2024, spectators at the internal disciplinary hearing of Ottawa Police Detective Helen Grus were shocked when defense lawyers alleged that Inspector Hugh O’Toole that day committed criminal offenses against Grus, including… Intimidation of a Witness and Obstruction of Justice."

"Detective Grus had been scheduled to testify that day for the first time in her defense. Her lawyers told Hearing Officer Chris Renwick that shortly before Grus was due to take the witness stand Inspector O’Toole sent her a criminally threatening email. The lawyers read parts of the email into the court record documenting how O’Toole threatened Grus that if she testified about certain evidence and used certain exhibits, Professional Standards would re-investigate her with the obvious penalty of additional charges."

“Donald Best is a former Sergeant (Detective) with the Toronto Police responsible for investigating Canadian police, lawyers, and politicians involved in organized crime, and a leading Canadian anti-corruption whistleblower and activist. In his ongoing legal cases and public advocacy, Mr. Best has exposed corruption in the Canadian legal profession including secret orders and investigations by judges, the submission of false evidence in court by lawyers, and the failure of disciplinary bodies such as the Law Society of Ontario and the Canadian Judicial Council to investigate complaints against judges and lawyers. Mr. Best’s tireless efforts to create integrity and accountability in the Canadian legal system make him an exemplary leader in the fight for equality before and under the law of all Canadians.”