RCMP charge three former high ranking members of the OPPA

CTV Barrie: Former OPPA members charged Three former high ranking members of the union representing OPP members have been charged by the RCMP.

The RCMP has charged three local men who used to be high ranking members of the union representing OPP officers.

Following a 19-month investigation, the RCMP Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Units charged 52-year-old Const. Karl Walsh of West Gwillimbury, 48-year-old Det.-Sgt. James Christie of Midland and 50-year-old Const. Martin Bain of Oro-Medonte.

Andrew McKay of Toronto and Francis Chantiam of New Jersey have also been charged.

All five have been charged with fraud over $5,000 and laundering the proceeds of crime. Two others have also been charged.

Christie was the Ontario Provincial Police Association president, Bain the vice president and Walsh the chief administrative officer.

The OPP confirm that all three officers remain suspended.  They also no longer hold leadership positions with the union.

The RCMP investigation was focusing on, among other things, questionable expenses and charges on company credit cards.

All five will appear in court in Toronto next month.

They have not entered pleas.