Cornwall Police Officer Notes Concerns Over Out Of Court Settlement

April 04, 2008 — An out of court settlement raised concerns for at least one Cornwall police officer. At the Public Inquiry yesterday, Staff Sergeant Luc Brunet testified he sought legal advice when he learned a complainant in a child sex abuse case signed a 32 thousand dollar settlement with the church in 1993. In exchange, the alleged victim agreed not to proceed with a criminal investigation which was already underway. The local diocese offered up the cash after David Silmser went to police with allegations of abuse against a city priest. Staff Sergeant Brunet said he was curious about a couple of issues relating to the settlement so he went to a lawyer. (Hear audio clip below) Brunet says he was told unless they have a complainant there was nothing further they could do as far as a prosecution. Hearings continue Monday.

Was There A Foul Up In $32K Settlement Investigation?

April 04, 2008 — A possible failure by Cornwall Police. Staff Sergeant Luc Brunet is testifying this week at the Cornwall Public Inquiry about the David Silmser investigation. Brunet assigned the case to a female investigator and the matter remained in her hands despite Silmser's request to have a male investigator take over. Brunet says that he thought the request for a male officer had been dealt with. (Hear audio clip below) During the police investigation, Silmser was offered a $32,000 out-of-court settlement by the local diocese after making child sex abuse allegations against a city priest. Part of the deal meant Silmser could not continue with a criminal case. The O.P.P. stepped in after the deal became public knowledge. Brunet continues his testimony this morning.

[Transcript of audio clip: “I didn’t realize that it was still an issue with him. I thought that after this meeting with the Chief and that he had agreed to this, and  I thought that the issue had been resolved to be frank with you.  Now there wasn’t anybody else to give it to, so, if I gave it to a male officer the chances of delays were even worse than what this was happening, so..]