Hearing 1 gets underway in Vancouver as Elsner retains new counsel
Following delays the first of 2 disciplinary hearings for former Victoria Chief Constable Frank Elsner finally began this morning in Vancouver.
The hearing was rescheduled to allow Elsner to find a replacement lawyer after his previous one, Janet Winteringham, was elevated to the BC Supreme Court bench in August. But Elsner has been in a dispute with the Victoria-Esquimalt Police Board over who should pay.
At this morning's hearing he was being represented by a solicitor from the same firm as his former lawyer. But it's not clear who is footing the bill. Board Co-Chair Lisa Helps says the matter is still before the courts, and officials are trying to limit taxpayer liability.
The former chief still faces 2 disciplinary hearings involving allegations he provided misleading information to a subordinate officer and an independent investigator, work place harassment, and that he attempted to procure a false statement from a witness.
The hearing will reconvene November 21st, at which time Elsner is expected to make a preliminary application to the retired judge overseeing the proceedings.
Meantime hearing #2 is set to begin on Monday.