OPP charges former legal counsel with Thunder Bay police with breach of trust, obstruction

Holly Walbourne in an undated photo. Photo courtesy: TBnewswatch.com

APTN News: The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid several charges against a lawyer who acted as legal counsel for the Thunder Bay Police Service.

The OPP’s Criminal Investigations Branch announced the charges against Holly Walbourne on Tuesday.

Walbourne is facing five charges including three counts of obstruction of justice, breach of trust by a public officer and obstruct public or peace officer.

Walbourne resigned from the police service in April 2023.

In late 2021, the Ministry of the Attorney General requested that the OPP investigate allegations of misconduct by members of the Thunder Bay police.

Walbourne was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on May 10.

In a statement, lawyers representing Walbourne said “we are shocked and disappointed that the OPP decided to charge her. We look forward to seeing the OPP’s evidence and to defending the case in court.”

In December of 2023, Sgt. Mike Dimini was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and one count each of breach of trust by a police officer and obstructing justice, as part of the same investigation.

The OPP says the investigations are ongoing.