Small town Quebec mayor sexually assaulted secretary, court reveals
Catou MacKinnon | CBC News | Posted: May 25, 2016 11:06 PM | Last Updated: May 25, 2016
Mayor Denis Lejeune is still on the job, but secretary now banned from town hall
Caroline Lamarre's lawyer is able to name his client publicly for the first time since the mayor of Baie-Trinité sexually assaulted her almost five years ago.
"She wanted to be able to tell her story, because now the mayor is still on the job, while she has no job," said Steve Bargone, a union lawyer who launched a grievance on behalf of Lamarre.
Baie-Trinité Mayor Denis Lejeune was convicted in July 2015, and sentenced last January.
Lejeune is appealing the verdict.
His 120-hour community sentence comes with a ban on direct or indirect contact with Lamarre. Under the provincial rules, only a 30-day jail sentence would have made Lejeune unfit to be mayor.
Bargone said Lamarre, a 36-year-old mother of five, successfully fought a publication ban on her identity last week.
The mayor is still on the job, while she has no job. - Steve Bargone, SCFP union lawyer
He said Lamarre wanted to break the usual silence protecting victims of sexual assault, because she wants her job back.
And as long as the mayor works out of the Baie-Trinité town hall, she can't.
Lamarre is also banned from being in the same room as Lejeune as a condition of her compensation from the CSST, Quebec's workplace health and safety board.
"We want him out," said Steve Bargone, on behalf of his client. "This is the only thing she wants. She is not a star, she is not a singer, she's a 'madame-tout-le-monde' and she wants to get her job back, this is the only thing she wants."
Lamarre has been unable to find another job in the small coastal town of 467 people, which is situated about 90 kilometres east of Baie-Comeau.
Bargone said the municipality has refused to ask Lejeune to stay away from the office so that Lamarre can work there without being in contact with him. He describes the situation as "incredible."
"The municipality says it cannot accommodate Madame Lamarre because she cannot be in the presence of the mayor," said Bargone, "but I am sure there are possibilities there."
Lejeune was not at the town office today and could not be reached for comment.
A judge found Lejeune guilty of sexually assaulting Lamarre in connection with two incidents. Both occurred at the town hall, during working hours.
Mayor 'abused his authority' – but no need for jail time
Quebec Court judge François Boisjoly convicted Lejeune in July 2015 of sexual assault in connection with two incidents, which occurred at the end of 2011 and in January 2012.
Lejeune was found guilty of groping Lamarre's breasts and groin after cornering her in the bathroom at the municipal office. The other incident occurred when Lamarre was sitting down at her desk. He groped her breasts despite Lamarre asking him to stop.
The judge acquitted Lejeune of sexual assault for alleged incidents between 2012 and June 2013.
Judge Boisjoly said "the proof shows there was never any violence or threats" on the part of Lejeune. He also said he was convinced Lamarre quit her job in June 2013 because Lejeune refused to approve her request for three weeks of vacation.
He considered the fact the assaults took place during work hours, at the office and that Lejeune was in a position of authority as aggravating factors. "The Court is of the opinion there is no need to condemn the accused to a jail sentence in order to dissuade him from reoffending," said Boisjoly.
The judge sentenced Lejeune to two years' probation, 120 hours community service and a $4,000 payment to victim support services.
Lejeune's appeal could be heard in January 2017.