Mountie involved in Dziekanski case alleges he was a 'scapegoat'

RCMP Const. Gerry Rundel departs for the lunch break during the second day of his testimony at the Braidwood inquiry into the Taser-related death of Polish immigrant Robert Dziekanski in Vancouver, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

NANAIMO, B.C. - A Mountie who responded the night a Polish immigrant died at Vancouver's airport has filed a lawsuit alleging RCMP negligence and harassment.

Const. Gerry Rundel has filed a statement of claim in British Columbia Supreme Court naming the Attorney General of Canada and B.C.'s minister of justice as defendants.

The document alleges he was made a "scapegoat" after Robert Dziekanski was repeatedly stunned with a Taser and died at the airport in October 2007.

None of the allegations have been proven in court and no statements of defence have been filed.

All four officers who approached Dziekanski were charged with perjury relating to testimony they gave at an inquiry into his death.

Rundel was acquitted of the charge last April.

Court documents say Rundel, who is on long-term sick leave, has suffered "permanent and irreparable harm," including post-traumatic stress disorder, loss of reputation and financial loss because of how he has been treated by the RCMP.

The claim alleges his career has been effectively destroyed and his chances at another career have been seriously impeded.