A retired Toronto cop has been charged with a sex-related criminal offence for an alleged incident more than four decades ago.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit says they were notified of “allegations against the former officer that were of a sexual nature” on March 13, 2024.
“The alleged incident occurred in Toronto between 1981 and 1982 against a female when the former officer was a member of the Toronto Police Service,” the SIU said in a statement Wednesday, adding the accused has since retired from the service.
SIU Director Joseph Martino has since determined there are “reasonable grounds” to believe the former officer committed a criminal offence.
“As a result of the SIU investigation, Luigi DiLorenzo is charged with one count of gross indecency, contrary to then section 157 of the Criminal Code,” the SIU said.
The SIU — which investigates any serious injury, death or sexual assault involving an officer — provided no further details of the allegations.
“As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation,” the province’s police watchdog said.
The charge of gross indecency, which was described in the Criminal Code as a “marked departure from decent conduct expected of the average Canadian in the circumstances that existed,” was repealed in 1987.
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While gross indecency does not necessarily include physical contact between the accused and the victim, it is a charge that was often laid against someone accused of masturbating in the presence of someone else.
The offence of gross indecency carries a maximum punishment of up to five years’ imprisonment for those convicted.
DiLorenzo is scheduled to appear in a Toronto court on Feb. 5.