THUNDER BAY — The former in-house lawyer for the Thunder Bay Police Service has made her first court appearance on charges of obstruction of justice and breach of trust.
Counsel on behalf of Holly Walbourne appeared virtually in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Friday.
Walbourne was charged by the Ontario Provincial Police last month with obstructing a public or peace officer, breach of trust, and three counts of obstruction of justice.
The charges are the result of a multi-year investigation launched by the OPP at the request of the Ministry of the Attorney General to look into allegations of misconduct within the Thunder Bay Police Service.
Former Thunder Bay Police Service chief Sylvie Hauth was also charged as part of the investigation. She made her first court appearance earlier this week on one count of obstructing a public or peace officer, one count of breach of trust, and two counts of obstruction of justice.
It is alleged that Walbourne made false or misleading statements or statements with material omissions to the Thunder Bay Police Services Board, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, and investigators with the Toronto Police Service.
Hauth is facing similar allegations that she made false or misleading statements or statements with material omissions to the police services board and OCPC.
Staff Sgt. Michael Dimini was also charged late last year with one count of obstruction of justice, two counts of assault, and one count of breach of trust. He is expected to appear in court later this month.
Before leaving in April 2023 to return to private practice, Walbourne served as the in-house lawyer for the Thunder Bay Police Service for five years.
During the brief appearance on Friday, the court was advised by defence counsel that some disclosure has been received from the Crown but significantly more disclosure remains outstanding at this time.
Both Walbourne and Hauth are scheduled to appear in court again on June 18.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
