Former UPAC boss Robert Lafrenière, targeted by allegations of serious misconduct to the effect that he orchestrated information leaks in his own organization, denies having anything to reproach himself for.
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In media interviews broadcast Monday, Robert Lafrenière lamented that his reputation was being attacked “with a theory”.
“A theory that mentions that I was orchestrating the leaks for my advancement, for my renewal and to have my police force. […] This is completely false. I [did] not need to do things like that to be renewed,” he told Radio-Canada.
Mr. Lafrenière did not return calls from the Journal to invite him to give his version of the facts.
In a decision by Judge André Perreault made public yesterday, we learn that the Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI) believes that Lafrenière would have launched a “phony” investigation, Project A, which led the judicial system on “false leads” ( see pages 4-5).
His family is suffering
But the former anti-corruption commissioner argued on the contrary in an interview with Radio-Canada that Project A, officially launched in the summer of 2017 to find the authors of the media leaks, was “a structured investigation that progressed “.
Robert Lafrenière also said during this interview that he had never had the opportunity to present his version of the facts to the BEI team.
And about his resignation from UPAC announced on October 1, 2018, the day of the general election, he maintains that it was a “coincidence”.
In the daily La Presse, Mr. Lafrenière lamented that his family and friends are now suffering because of the BEI investigation which targets him.
“I had a great reputation, and now, because I did my job, I’m being singled out,” he said.
The investigation continues
As for her, the Minister of Public Security Geneviève Guilbault let it be known that she would not comment, “as the BEI is still investigating the leaks at UPAC”.
Her cabinet recalled that the minister had “made several changes to modernize UPAC and its ways of doing things”, and maintained that “UPAC and the BEI have the necessary resources to carry out their mission.”
It should be noted that no charges have been filed to date in connection with the Oath of the BEI investigation, for which more than 90 witnesses had been interviewed as of spring 2020.
