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  Chronology of Events Surrounding the Cornwall Public Inquiry

The Canadian Press
December 15, 2009

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jH7NV83x-FkUZYavL2SWUoOk_kXw

CORNWALL, Ont. — A chronology of key events leading up to and including the Cornwall Public Inquiry:

1992: A 35-year-old former altar boy alleges he was sexually abused by probation officer Ken Seguin and Rev. Charles MacDonald when he was younger.

1993: The man reaches a settlement with the diocese for $32,000 and doesn't pursue charges against either man. Seguin commits suicide.

Sept. 1993: Police officer Perry Dunlop picks up the case, more people come forward to him with allegations of sexual abuse spanning decades. He becomes convinced it was the work of high-profile local officials operating a clandestine pedophile ring. By early 1994 he is on sick leave.

1996: Charles MacDonald charged with sexually abusing young people. Additional charges laid in 1998. But charges are stayed in 2002 after judge rules his right to a trial within a reasonable amount of time was violated.

1997: Provincial police launch Project Truth investigation and eventually lay 114 charges against 15 people, but find no evidence of a pedophile ring. The investigation lasts until 2001.

April 2005: Ontario government establishes Cornwall Public Inquiry, with a mandate to probe the responses of the justice system and public institutions to allegations of sexual abuse of young people in Cornwall.

February 2006: Inquiry begins hearing from witnesses

June 28, 2007: Ron Leroux tells inquiry he fabricated tale of clan of pedophiles who wore robes, burned candles and sexually abused young boys during weekend meetings in the 1950s and early 1960s.

November 2007: Perry Dunlop convicted of civil contempt of court for refusing to give evidence at inquiry.

Feb. 17, 2008: Perry Dunlop arrested for again failing to show up at inquiry. He is sentenced in March to six months in jail.

Sept. 3, 2008: Perry Dunlop sentenced to additional 30 days in jail for criminal contempt of court for refusing judge's order to appear at inquiry. He is freed from jail one month later.

Oct. 23, 2008: Ontario government steps in to set end date for inquiry. All evidence ordered heard by Jan. 31, 2009, report ordered due by July 31.

Feb. 23-27, 2009: Inquiry ends with closing submissions after four years and some 180 witnesses.

July 31, 2009: First report deadline passes, inquiry granted extension.

Oct. 15, 2009: Second report deadline passes, inquiry granted second extension.

Dec. 15, 2009: Commissioner G. Normand Glaude's report, a culmination of the four-year, $53-million process, released. It neither gives credence nor lays to rest rumours that pedophile ring operated in the eastern Ontario city.

 
 

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