Kelowna woman sues ex RCMP officer for 'lecherous' behaviour | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna woman sues ex RCMP officer for 'lecherous' behaviour

A former Kelowna Mountie who faces a series of criminal charges for allegedly pursuing sexual relationships with seven women in connection to his duties has now been slapped with a civil suit.

KELOWNA - A former Kelowna Mountie who faces a series of criminal charges for allegedly pursuing sexual relationships with seven women in connection to his duties has now been slapped with a civil suit.

Brian Burkett, whose breach of trust charges were announced by the B.C. Prosecution Service in September, is named alongside the B.C. Minister of Justice and Canada’s Attorney General in a civil suit from a woman who says when she called the RCMP’s non emergency line in May 2016  she fell prey to Burkett, according to a lawsuit filed Oct. 8 by Penticton lawyer Michael Patterson.

Burkett took the call and collected her personal information, including her mobile number and address.

“Burkett used the personal information of the plaintiff to harass her sexually by repeatedly texting and requesting that the plaintiff send him explicit pictures of her breasts and genitalia,” reads the suit.

Burkett allegedly warned the plaintiff to not tell anyone that he was making the request and, in turn,  she felt powerless.

She sent a Facebook photo, but Burkett “became annoyed” and insisted that she send sexually explicit photos.

She was fearful and sought the help of trauma counsellors, reads the suit.

“As a direct foreseeable and proximate result of the defendants'  unlawful actions, (the) plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer substantial losses in earning, equity and other employment benefits and incurred other economic losses."

Burkett, the suit alleges, committed the acts “despicably, maliciously and oppressively, with the wrongful intention of injuring the plaintiff” and conscious disregard of her rights and welfare.

The RCMP, according to the suit, was aware of the issues the woman suffered and it was negligent.

The RCMP  “owed a duty of care to the plaintiff to ensure the plaintiff was treated with dignity as a member of the public seeking the RCMP’s assistance,” reads the civil suit.

It goes on to say Burkett wasn’t properly supervised or trained and the woman’s information wasn’t properly dealt with, leaving her open to Burkett’s “lecherous behaviour.”

Among injuries the woman allegedly suffered are PTSD, diminished self-worth, diminished ability to concentrate, ongoing nightmares, depression, ancient, difficulty in coping with stress, feelings of guilt, nervous shock, anguish, insomnia and failed relationships.

As such, she’s seeking financial compensation that has yet to be specified.

No response has been filed from the parties named. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Burkett makes his next court appearance on the criminal charges Oct. 28.

 

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