Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Karen Katz, B.C. RCMP Officer, Files Lawsuit Against Norman Hofmann

VANCOUVER - An RCMP officer who is suing the force for harassment and abuse has now filed a lawsuit against a man who tried to serve her with legal documents from the force.

Const. Karen Katz filed a notice of civil claim Wednesday, alleging Norman Hofmann defamed her and then damaged her reputation again in a written report to the RCMP.

The B.C. Supreme Court document alleges Hofmann asked the building manager in February 2013 if he could access the parkade to inspect Katz's vehicle because it was involved in a hit and run.

The document also alleges Hofmann told the force in March 2013 that Katz was avoiding being served with legal documents and had advised other residents not to allow anyone trying to serve her into the building.

"I am livid," Katz said in an interview. "You don't accuse me of a crime I didn't commit, and, you know, this is my personal reputation you are talking about, and this is my community where I live ... and you don't fabricate a crime."

None of the allegations have been proven in court, and Hofmann, who could not be contacted, has not yet filed a statement of defence, though he has 21 days to do so.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Rob Vermeulen declined to comment on the lawsuit.

"That's between her, the private investigator and the court," he said in an email.

Katz said in an interview that Hofmann was trying to serve her with documents notifying her that the RCMP intended to discharge her. She said the force mailed those papers to her in July.

The court document says Hofmann's hit-and-run comment to the building manager meant Katz had fled the scene of an accident in which she was involved, was hiding material evidence and interfering with a police investigation, committed a crime, and was unfit to be a constable in the RCMP.

It also says comments in the written report meant she is unfit to be a constable, was deceitful, not to be trusted and of questionable character.

"As a result of the wrongful conduct of the defendant in defaming, slandering and/or libelling the plaintiff, the plaintiff has been brought into public criticism, odium and contempt, particularly within the RCMP and the building in which she resides," the notice of civil claim says.

"As a result of the wrongful conduct of the defendant, the plaintiff has been humiliated, deeply embarrassed, has suffered emotional distress and has suffered loss and damage and will continue to suffer."

Katz is seeking general, special, exemplary and aggravated damages, as well as costs and any other relief the court may award.

She has already launched two civil lawsuits against the RCMP, alleging harassment by one of her colleagues and widespread harassment and abuse throughout her career. But the force has denied the allegations in two statements of defence.

Katz has said that she's been on medical leave since 2009 and is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.ca/
Author:  CP  |  By Keven Drews

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