Former Chief of the Defence Staff pleads guilty to obstructing justice

Today, General Jonathan Vance (retired), former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Canadian Forces, pled guilty to a single count of 'obstructing justice' before a civil court of criminal jurisdiction.  This charge arose out of an investigation by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) into an alleged extra-marital affair that General Vance had with an officer of lower rank.

No charges were ever laid under the Code of Service Discipline.

The guilty plea was part of a joint submission submitted by both the Defence and the Crown prosecutor for which Vance received a conditional discharge that included one year of probation and 80 hours of community service.

Consequently, when the terms of the conditional discharge are completed, Vance will not be convicted of a criminal offence and will not have a criminal record.

Murray Brewster, of CBC news, offered this brief report.