The Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP) has decided to accelerate the process in the case of those accused of data theft at Desjardins.
The prosecution requested that the case be set down on Monday for the purpose of filing a privileged indictment against the six co-defendants.
With this procedure, the prosecution cancels the preliminary investigation stage and the case is transferred to the Superior Court so that a trial can be held before a jury made up of 12 citizens.
Open in full screen mode
Sébastien Boulanger-Dorval is suspected of being behind the leak. (Archive photo)
Photo: Photo Pascal Ratthé, La Presse archives
Barely three weeks ago, the defendants’ lawyers announced their choice to hold the trial before a single judge of the Court of Quebec. At the same time, they demanded more information from the prosecution before announcing whether they were going to request a preliminary investigation.
The privileged indictment that the DPCP therefore circumvents the defense which cannot require such an investigation aimed at testing the evidence.
Open in full screen mode
In addition to Sébastien Boulanger-Dorval, the five other accused are Jean-Loup Masse-Leullier, Laurence Bernier, François Baillargeon-Bouchard, Charles Bernier and Mathieu Joncas.
Photo : -
In its directives, the DPCP provides for the use of a privileged indictment when the public interest warrants it. It is used on rare occasions and must be approved personally by the director of the organization, Me Patrick Michel.
The representative of DPCP in this case, Me Geneviève Robitaille, did not want to comment on the procedure, recalling that it was a prerogative of the prosecution.
Concerned about deadlines
The prosecutor had already shown concern about legal delays during a hearing in August, insisting that the defense lawyers position themselves quickly.
We want to move this issue forward in a judicious manner.
Ms. Robitaille justified herself.
Former Desjardins employee Sébastien Boulanger-Dorval, who is suspected of being at the origin of the leak, and five co-defendants face charges of fraud, identity theft and trafficking in identifying information.
After the filing of the privileged indictment against them on Monday, the file will be sent to the Superior Court assizes scheduled for December 2.
The data leak affected 9.7 million Desjardins Group members and clients.
