Man accused in Holocaust Memorial vandalism is City of Ottawa lawyer on leave
The 46-year-old man who faces a number of charges after the National Holocaust Memorial was vandalized with red paint on June 9 is an Ottawa city lawyer on leave.
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Iain Aspenlieder has been charged with mischief to a war monument, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct.
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Aspenlieder is listed in Ontario's Sunshine List as a legal counsel with the City of Ottawa with a salary of $148,246.65 as of 2024.
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He appeared in court on Saturday for a bail hearing. A decision is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2.
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In a post on X on Saturday evening, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said while it was encouraging to see that the police investigation into the incident has progressed, he was 'very disturbed to learn that the person charged is a city employee who was on leave. As a community and as an employer, the actions at the Monument do not represent our values.'
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Sutcliffe thanked police and added that he has asked city officials to 'take all appropriate action in light of these developments.'
A statement attributed to interim city solicitor Stuart Huxley confirmed that Aspenlieder was on leave at the time of the incident.
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'The City is reviewing the charges and will be swiftly undertaking all appropriate action given the situation,' said Huxley.
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'The recent act affecting the National Holocaust monument was deplorable and is counter to the values we seek to uphold in our community. We extend our deepest sympathies to members of our community impacted by this disgraceful act.'
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As the matter is the subject of a police investigation and is before the courts, the city will provide no further comment, said Huxley.
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The monument, located at 1918 Chaudière Crossing, was sprayed with the words 'FEED ME' in large block letters on the side adjacent to Wellington Street. Red paint was also sprayed along the building's facade.
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In 2014, the Criminal Code was amended to add the charge of mischief to a war memorial.
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The definition applies to a property 'that primarily serves as a monument to honour persons who were killed or died as a consequence of a war, including a war memorial or cenotaph, or an object associated with honouring or remembering those persons that is located in or on the grounds of such a building or structure, or a cemetery.'
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Ottawa Citizen
5 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Man accused in Holocaust Memorial vandalism is City of Ottawa lawyer on leave
The 46-year-old man who faces a number of charges after the National Holocaust Memorial was vandalized with red paint on June 9 is an Ottawa city lawyer on leave. Article content Iain Aspenlieder has been charged with mischief to a war monument, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. Article content Article content Aspenlieder is listed in Ontario's Sunshine List as a legal counsel with the City of Ottawa with a salary of $148,246.65 as of 2024. Article content Article content He appeared in court on Saturday for a bail hearing. A decision is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2. Article content Article content In a post on X on Saturday evening, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said while it was encouraging to see that the police investigation into the incident has progressed, he was 'very disturbed to learn that the person charged is a city employee who was on leave. As a community and as an employer, the actions at the Monument do not represent our values.' Article content Sutcliffe thanked police and added that he has asked city officials to 'take all appropriate action in light of these developments.' A statement attributed to interim city solicitor Stuart Huxley confirmed that Aspenlieder was on leave at the time of the incident. Article content 'The City is reviewing the charges and will be swiftly undertaking all appropriate action given the situation,' said Huxley. Article content 'The recent act affecting the National Holocaust monument was deplorable and is counter to the values we seek to uphold in our community. We extend our deepest sympathies to members of our community impacted by this disgraceful act.' Article content Article content As the matter is the subject of a police investigation and is before the courts, the city will provide no further comment, said Huxley. Article content Article content The monument, located at 1918 Chaudière Crossing, was sprayed with the words 'FEED ME' in large block letters on the side adjacent to Wellington Street. Red paint was also sprayed along the building's facade. Article content In 2014, the Criminal Code was amended to add the charge of mischief to a war memorial. Article content The definition applies to a property 'that primarily serves as a monument to honour persons who were killed or died as a consequence of a war, including a war memorial or cenotaph, or an object associated with honouring or remembering those persons that is located in or on the grounds of such a building or structure, or a cemetery.'
National Post
8 hours ago
- National Post
Man, 46, charged in National Holocaust Monument vandalism
A 46-year-old man faces a number of charges after the National Holocaust Memorial was vandalized with red paint on June 9. Article content Iain Aspenlieder has been charged with mischief to a war monument, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. Article content Article content He appeared in court on Saturday for a bail hearing. A decision is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2. Article content The monument, located at 1918 Chaudière Crossing, was sprayed with the words 'FEED ME' in large block letters on the side adjacent to Wellington Street. Red paint was also sprayed along the building's facade. Article content The monument was opened in 2017 and commemorates the extermination of six million Jews who were killed in the Second World War. Article content Article content In 2014, the Criminal Code was amended to add the charge of mischief to a war memorial. Article content The definition applies to a property 'that primarily serves as a monument to honour persons who were killed or died as a consequence of a war, including a war memorial or cenotaph, or an object associated with honouring or remembering those persons that is located in or on the grounds of such a building or structure, or a cemetery.' If the offence is prosecuted by indictment, it is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. If the offence is punishable on summary conviction, it may lead to a sentence of up to 18 months. Article content The Ottawa police hate and bias crime unit is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information to contact their tip line at 613-236-1222, extension 5625. Article content 'The OPS treats incidents of this nature seriously and recognizes their profound impact on the community,' said Ottawa police in a statement. Article content
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
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