The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) Thursday charged retired General Jonathan Vance, Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff from 2015-21, with obstruction of justice. In February, the CFNIS, a special unit within the Canadian Forces Military Police Group (CFMP) took charge of an investigation regarding alleged inappropriate behavior by General Vance toward two female subordinates. This obstruction of justice charge has been laid in connection with Vance’s actions during the course of that investigation.

Refusing to release any specifics regarding the case, the Department of National Defense (DND) stated that CFNIS will pursue the matter in civilian court “in the interest of justice with due regard to the limitations of the Military Justice System identified in the findings contained in the Third Independent Review Authority report.”

These charges are the latest in a series of developments regarding sexual misconduct in the upper echelon of the Canadian military that in February led to the resignation of Vance’s successor, Admiral Art McDonald, after only six weeks in his new position. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who previously condemned the military misconduct as reminiscent of “the old boys’ club,” declined to comment on the new charges against General Vance.