RCMP probing alleged harassment of former veterans review board member
Article Content
OTTAWA -- The Mounties are conducting their own investigation into the alleged harassment of a long-time veterans advocate, a man recently bounced from a federal review panel.
The RCMP probe was initiated at the request of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, which is carrying out a separate review of fresh allegations by Harold Leduc.
Leduc is the outspoken former warrant officer who created a political storm last year when he claimed members and management of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board leaked private information about his post traumatic stress diagnosis.
He alleged the leak was made in order to discredit his decisions at the board, which takes a second look at the rejected benefits claims of ex-soldiers.
The human rights commission had previously ordered the veterans board to pay Leduc $4,000, including legal costs, for harassment he'd suffered from other agency members.
But he claims the harassment did not cease, even though his position with the board was not renewed last fall.
A spokeswoman for the board said it was aware of the matter, but could say little because the investigation is still ongoing.