Northern Ontario chief charged with sexual assault days after re-election

A Northern Ontario chief is facing a criminal charge related to allegations of a historical sexual assault, just days since being re-elected leader of his First Nation last weekend.

After an investigation by Thunder Bay Police Service, Chief Wilfred King of Gull Bay First Nation (Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek) is charged with one count of sexual assault that is alleged to have occurred between August and September of 1992, according to court documents.

Mr. King’s lawyer issued a statement saying the chief will “vigorously fight these accusations” and describing the timing of the allegations as “suspicious.”