VANCOUVER — The British Columbia Prosecution Service has announced that Jordan Kealy, an Independent legislator, has been charged with sexual assault related to allegations that predate his election. The charge is connected to alleged offenses that occurred between January 1 and September 20, 2024, in Fort St. John.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Prosecution Service revealed that special prosecutor Gail Barnes was appointed on February 9 to oversee the investigation conducted by the Prince George RCMP into the allegations against Kealy. This appointment aims to mitigate the risk of any potential improper influence in the administration of justice.
Kealy, who was elected to represent Peace River North in October 2024, was formally charged on Wednesday and is slated to make his initial court appearance in Fort St. John on July 6. As of now, he has not responded to media requests for comment regarding the charges.
The BC Prosecution Service indicated that following discussions with the special prosecutor, it was deemed appropriate to issue a media statement at this juncture. However, they also noted that due to the ongoing legal proceedings, neither the special prosecutor nor the BC Prosecution Service would provide any further information or comments at this time.
It is worth noting that Kealy, who previously was a member of the B.C. Conservative party, left the caucus last year. His legal troubles come in the wake of another legislator facing serious charges: former B.C. Conservative Hon Chan, who was charged in March with assault, assault by choking, and uttering threats in a case involving alleged intimate partner violence. This led to Chan's removal from the party caucus, although he has publicly disagreed with the allegations and resisted calls for his resignation.
This situation highlights a tumultuous period within the British Columbia legislature, particularly as it involves multiple sitting members facing criminal charges. The political and legal ramifications of these allegations may have profound implications for the conduct and reputation of the legislative assembly moving forward.
