Crown Counsel has confirmed Jordan Kealy, who currently sits as an Independent MLA in the riding of Peace River North, has been charged with one count of sexual assault.
The BC Prosecution Service says the “alleged offences” took place sometime between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20 of 2024 in Fort St. John. No other details around the alleged crime have been released at this time.
Kealy is due in provincial court in Fort St. John on July 6. However, there is a publication ban in place.
The Crown has also appointed a Special Prosecutor in this case, but reveals that the appointment actually happened back in early February.
“The appointment of a Special Prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice, considering the nature of the allegations and the identity of the accused as an elected public official,” said the Crown in a statement.
Gail Barnes, a Vancouver lawyer with a private practice, will handle the case.
“Her mandate includes providing legal advice to investigators as may be necessary, conducting any related charge assessment, and assuming conduct of the prosecution if any charge was approved,” the Special Prosecutor said.
Kealy was initially elected as a member of the BC Conservative Party but defected last year, along with MLAs Tara Armstrong and Dallas Brodie. Kealy and Armstrong had said they’d left because Brodie was kicked out of party caucus.
The RCMP is not commenting but referred 1130 NewsRadio to Crown Counsel. We have reached out to Kealy for comment.