A former Prince George psychology/emotional health counsellor has been charged with both a criminal offense and professional improprieties. It is alleged that Dr. Michael Anthony, committed sexually assault in Fort St. John where his practice is now based.
"The victim lodged the complaint. She is a female in her mid-30s. She was one of his clients," said Fort St. John RCMP Sgt. Steve Perret.
"It is alleged that there was ongoing sexual contact between January and April, 2010, and what we've done in conjunction with provincial Crown is lay one charge globally to encompass the entire series of alleged incidents."
The complaint was first made to police in September, 2010. After a year-long investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on Sept. 9 and he was arrested without incident on Wednesday.
He has been released on a number of court-ordered conditions.
It is not the first time Anthony has been the subject of professional scrutiny. In 2009 he was called before the disciplinary committee of the BC College of Social Workers (BCCSW) and that matter is still progressing even though Anthony is no longer a social worker.
"He voluntarily gave up his license following the citation we issued to him on a matter entirely unrelated to these new allegations he has been arrested for," said BCCSW registrar John Mayr. "That complaint had to do with Dr. Anthony providing some social work service to a client that, in the opinion of the College, was not up to provincial standard."
BCCSW disciplinary action has yet to be taken due to Anthony withdrawing his license and then initiating court action claiming the social workers' body no longer had jurisdiction over him. The Supreme Court ruled recently that indeed the college does have such jurisdiction in professional matters that predated the termination of the license.
"Our citation against Dr. Anthony is still a live issue, and I expect in the next couple of weeks we may finally proceed to hearing," said Mayr.
The BCCSW will be following the RCMP's case very closely, said Mayr, because investigators are looking into Anthony's full history as a professional counsellor, including when he was a licensed social worker, so if any new information comes to light, it could add to the provincial standards group's actions as well.
Mayr said Anthony was the subject of no other disciplinary action but the BCCSW would certainly be calling on Northern Lights College in Fort St. John for insights on what Anthony's capacity was when he was employed there and why that employment ended abruptly in 2002.
Sgt. Perret confirmed that Anthony "has been practicing in one capacity or another since the mid-1980s. He was believed to be residing in Prince George for a period of time in the late '80s. Most of his career has been in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John."
Police have not ruled out that there may be other victims, Perret said.
"So far the charges pertain to one alleged victim, but if there are others who have information or others who may be victims as well, please contact RCMP with that."
The Fort St. John investigation team can be contacted at 250-787-8140, or contact Crime Stoppers to leave an anonymous tip at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca.
The BCCSW has a 12-member board that includes Prince George representatives Lorna Dittmar, Bruce Northey and Glen Schmidt. They meet five times per year, the next one scheduled for today. Dittmar also sits on the group's disciplinary committee.
