MONTREAL, July 22 (UPI) -- A retired brigadier general in the Canadian army pleaded guilty to having an affair with a subordinate while he commanded Canada's 2,800 troops in Afghanistan.
Retired Brig. Gen. Daniel Menard pleaded guilty Thursday during a court-martial to having sexual relations with Master Cpl. Bianka Langlois while the two were stationed in Kandahar in 2010, and to obstructing justice by trying to cover up the liaison, The (Montreal) Gazette reported Friday.
"I regret my actions that caused suffering to my wife and children," he said, but did not apologize for breaking military regulations against fraternization.
Menard's lawyer, Jean Asselin, said they considered fighting the regulations by questioning their constitutionality under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"If this had happened in civilian life, there would be no charges," Asselin said.
Military Judge Lt. Col. Louis-Vincent d'Auteuil fined Menard $7,500 and ordered his rank reduced from brigadier general to colonel as recommended jointly by the defense and prosecution.
Langlois was found guilty of improper conduct in September, The Gazette said. She was reprimanded and fined $700.
