Ex-commander in Afghanistan gets symbolic reduction in rank for sexual affair

Former brigadier-general Daniel Menard was fined $7,000 on Thursday and given a symbolic reprimand after pleading guilty to having an affair with a subordinate.

Menard was downgraded to colonel but the reduction is symbolic because he is retired from the military and will retain his previous rank and pension benefits.

The 45-year-old Menard was once a rising star in the army and was the No. 1 military man in Afghanistan before his career unravelled.

Earlier in the day, Menard pleaded guilty to two charges: having improper relations with a corporal under his command, and trying to impede an investigation into their affair.

He apologized to his wife and children after admitting to the sexual liaison.

Military regulations bar soldiers, even married couples, from having intimate relations while on deployment.

Menard faced up to two years in prison.

Lt.-Col. Louis-Vincent d’Auteuil, a military judge, cited principles of integrity, honesty and leadership as he read out his verdict.

“You know better than me — given all the experience you have — what the principles of leadership are,” said d’Auteuil.

“This happened in the worst place, at the worst time — in a theatre of operation.”

He said soldiers were risking their lives in Afghanistan and trusted him — and that he betrayed their trust.

“You have the highest level of responsibility in a theatre of operation,” the judge said.

“It was up to you to set an example.”

It was the kind of transgression, the judge said, that could undermine the chain of command.

He said Menard had an exemplary career to that point, which is why he was made a general at such a young age.

“We must not lose sight of the fact that you did a lot of good things as an officer in the Canadian Forces,” said d’Auteuil.

He said the punishments Menard had already suffered — his removal from Afghanistan, and the reassignment of his roles, amounted to some punishment for his misdeeds.

All the media attention to details of the case would also dissuade people from repeating Menard’s mistakes, said d’Auteuil.

He said Menard will have a criminal record — althrough he can apply to be pardoned later.

“You have also suffered personal consequences,” he said.

“You saw (career) doors slam on you … you suffered financially.”

Menard said the media scrutiny of his case has been punishment enough for his family.

He is still married, and has two children. But he said he had to leave the forces because he was increasingly isolated upon his return from Kandahar. He is now unemployed and is seeking private-sector work in management.

That downward spiral began the moment his affair was revealed by a prominent U.S. military-affairs blogger. Soon thereafter, he was back home in Canada and feeling like persona non grata.

“It was clear I was no longer in the club of generals,” Menard said. “I felt completely ostracized … I concluded I didn’t have a place anymore.”

His affair with Master Cpl. Bianka Langlois began in Canada. They met in 2008, before they were deployed together to Afghanistan.

That relationship continued in Kandahar. Menard and Langlois frequently had relations in her living quarters. He also kissed her at least twice in his office.

The general was initially also charged with four counts of obstructing justice, which were withdrawn. Those more serious charges carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Langlois was convicted in a summary trial last Sept. 28 of one count of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline.

She was reprimanded and fined $700.

Court documents suggest the two had a sexual affair between Nov. 15, 2009, and April 27, 2010, while Menard — a 26-year army veteran — was commanding Canada’s task force in Afghanistan.

Authorities say Menard repeatedly tried to persuade his underling to delete incriminating emails once the alleged affair became known in May 2010.

He was abruptly removed from his post in Kandahar in June 2010 and sent home.

Days before his dismissal, a court martial fined Menard $3,500 for negligently firing two rounds from his assault rifle.

The general had been slated to assume command of the army in Quebec. Instead his career was cut short as he tendered his resignation last November and left the military on Dec. 17.

The decision to dismiss Menard in such a public fashion drew criticism and prompted a public debate about the military’s strict punishment for fraternization.

Part of the criticism was based on the fact that the military refused to immediately release Langlois’ name.