A former B.C. government employee has been charged with making false statements in an attempt to mislead Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham in connection to the alleged "triple-delete" case.
George Steven Gretes, a former ministerial assistant in the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, faces two counts under B.C.'s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The charge of willfully making a false statement to mislead, or attempt to mislead, the commissioner carries a maximum penalty of $5,000.
The RCMP launched an investigation following the release of Denham's report, Access Denied, that probed the disposal of government documents. The report alleged that the government triple-deleted emails about the Highway of Tears case rather than release them in response to a Freedom of Information request.
The Criminal Justice Branch said in a statement Friday that the RCMP investigation focused on the conduct of Gretes, who was interviewed under oath by Denham's investigators.
Gretes resigned from government following the release of Denham's report in October.
Special prosecutor Mark Jette approved the charges and an information was sworn in B.C. Provincial Court Friday. Gretes is slated to make a first appearance April 20 in Victoria.
The RCMP asked the province in November to consider appointing a special prosecutor, which is usually done if there is significant potential for real or perceived improper influence on decision-making. Special prosecutors are generally appointed for files involving cabinet ministers, MLAs, judges or senior police and public officials.
Jette will handle the prosecution and any subsequent appeals.
