Contract process - McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) - All Charges against St.Clair Armitage dropped

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - On October 3, the Attorney General of Quebec withdrew all of the charges of  fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and breach of trust filed in June 2014 against St.Clair Armitage under the "Laureat" operation relating to the construction of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC).

According to his legal counsel Isabel J. Schurman, Mr. Armitage has maintained his innocence from the beginning of these proceedings.  Without ever having attempted to interview Mr. Armitage as a witness, police authorities had an Interpol red notice issued against him, branding Mr. Armitage a criminal whose arrest was sought in Canada.  This move resulted in serious damage to Mr. Armitage's reputation and resulted in the loss of his employment.

Upon freeing Mr Armitage of all charges against him, the Honourable Salvatore Mascia, the Judge who presided over the session, stated that this chapter in his life is now over.

From his home in the United Kingdom, Mr. Armitage commented on the decision, "I and my family are relieved that the nightmare of the last 29 months is finally over. However, withdrawal of the charges at this point can only go some way to repairing the damage."

Since the charges were filed against Mr. Armitage, and for the duration of the proceedings since his arrest on June 17, 2014, his life has been exceedingly difficult despite the support of those close to him. "The charges against me directly challenged my integrity and my honour, and have had a devastating effect on my reputation, my career and my finances."

Devastating effects
Following his departure from Canada in April 2010, Mr. Armitage worked at Cambridge University Hospital in the United Kingdom. Shortly before the charges were filed he signed a 4 year consulting agreement. This contract was unilaterally revoked, resulting in Mr. Armitage losing his income and subsequently having extreme difficulty finding appropriate alternative employment.

Turning the page
In spite of all the events that have transpired, Mr. Armitage had encouraging words for the MUHC project. "Throughout my time in Quebec my primary objective was to play my part in improving access to, and the quality of, healthcare for the people of Montreal and Quebec. You are very fortunate to have a world-class team of clinicians, support staff and managers at MUHC. I encourage you to continue to support the MUHC team to make the very best of the new facilities at the Glen."

For St Clair Armitage, the time has come to move on to other things. "I consider the events to have been a legal error, and one that made me an innocent victim. I now have to turn the page and resume my life," he said.

He concluded with a final comment: "I feel very strongly that if the authorities had chosen to speak with me before making their decision to charge, my family and I could have been spared great suffering. The time and money spent prosecuting me would  have been much better spent on improving the healthcare outcomes of the people of Montreal, which is what the MUHC Glen project is all about."

Media advisory
Now that the 30-day appeal deadline has elapsed, St Clair Armitage is available for interviews.

SOURCE ENIGMA COMMUNICATIONS INC.

Gilles Corriveau, Enigma communications, 514 984-4184, [email protected]