Latest news with #IainAspenlieder
National Post
25-07-2025
- National Post
Former City of Ottawa lawyer pleads guilty to vandalizing National Holocaust Monument
OTTAWA — A former City of Ottawa lawyer has pleaded guilty after defacing Canada's National Holocaust Monument. Article content Iain Aspenlieder, 46, was charged last month with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. Article content He appeared in court Friday. Article content Aspenlieder's lawyer Michael Spratt said his client pleaded guilty to one count of mischief for defacing the Holocaust memorial and that the Crown has consented to his release on bail. Article content Article content Spratt said a sentencing hearing is expected sometime in the fall, with the date still to be determined. Article content Article content The lawyer said it's expected that the other charges will be withdrawn at the request of the Crown at the conclusion of the sentencing process. Article content On June 9, the words 'FEED ME' were found scrawled in red paint across the face of the monument in downtown Ottawa. Red paint was also found splashed on other portions of the structure. Article content According to the agreed statement of facts, Aspenlieder was seen on surveillance recordings arriving at the monument just before 3 a.m. on a bicycle. He was carrying red bags and throwing paint on the monument. He left paint cans at the monument, which were collected as evidence. Article content The statement says that when Aspenlieder was arrested at his home on June 27, he was wearing a shirt that had red paint on it and told police: 'I am wearing incriminating evidence.' The next day, Aspenlieder attended a bail hearing while participating in a hunger strike. Article content Article content Prime Minister Mark Carney said in June that he was 'appalled' by the vandalism and that the monument is a space for mourning and remembrance. Article content Article content Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said on social media last month that the person charged was a city employee on leave and he asked city officials to take 'all appropriate action.' Article content Interim city solicitor Stuart Huxley said in an email that the individual is no longer employed by the city. Article content The Ontario Sunshine List says Aspenlieder was a legal counsel for the City of Ottawa making over $148,000 a year. Article content The Law Society of Ontario website says Aspenlieder is 'suspended administratively.' Article content Spratt said in an email that Aspenlieder has 'accepted responsibility for his actions.' Article content 'When he is sentenced later this year, the court will hear that his conduct, while unlawful, was driven by a profound sense of compassion and moral urgency — not by hatred or prejudice,' Spratt said. Article content 'He looks forward to demonstrating that his motivation was rooted in a desire to call attention to human suffering, not to cause harm or spread intolerance.' Article content Spratt said the Crown likely will seek a penitentiary sentence. He said the defence likely will suggest that the time Aspenlieder spent in custody is 'punishment enough for his actions.' Article content
Ottawa Citizen
25-07-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Former city lawyer pleads guilty to Holocaust monument vandalism
A tarp partially covers the paint sprayed on the National Holocaust Monument early on June 9. Iain Aspenlieder, 46, pleaded guilty to a charge of mischief on Friday. Photo by Jean Levac / Postmedia The Ottawa man responsible for vandalizing the National Holocaust Monument pleaded guilty on Friday. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors On June 9, Ottawa residents woke up to news that the memorial at 1918 Chaudière Crossing had been defaced with the words 'FEED ME' scrawled in large block letters with red spray paint. Iain Aspenlieder, 46, was arrested on June 27 and charged with mischief to a war monument, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. According to court documents, there was 'an acknowledgement of criminal responsibility' and GPS monitoring with strict house arrest proposed as a plan of Aspenlieder's release on bail, pending sentencing. The Ottawa Citizen's best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Surveillance cameras caught Aspenlieder arriving at the monument on a bicycle at 2:59 a.m. on June 9, carrying red recyclable bags containing paint cans. The video showed him throwing paint cans at the monument and using a paint brush to put 'FEED ME' on it before fleeing the scene at 3:08 a.m. A red handprint was also left at the scene, which Aspenlieder later admitted was his. The City of Ottawa confirmed that Aspenlieder was fired from a job as legal counsel as of June 29. According to the Ontario Sunshine List of public service salaries, Aspenlieder was paid $148,247 in 2024, plus $430 in benefits. At the time of his arrest, Aspenlieder was wearing a shirt that had red paint on it. He told police he was wearing 'incriminating evidence.' Also seized by police were a backpack, a Palestinian flag, a floral cap and running shoes, all with red paint on them. Police also seized a bike with red paint all over the handles, plus booklets and magazines, including some titled 'Why does Canada choose to be complicit in Israel Apartheid?' and 'Five Principles for Dismantling Antisemitism.' Aspenlieder told police he accepted responsibility for his actions, but refused to provide information about his beliefs, ideologies or the whereabouts of the paintbrush. He also denied having any mental health disorders. During a June 28 bail hearing, the court learned that Aspenlieder was participating in a hunger strike and that he would only end his strike when Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a 'war criminal' who was 'complicit in genocide.' Aspenlieder told the court that he had discussed his hunger strike with his family to prepare them in advance and that it wasn't an 'impulsive decision.'
Toronto Star
25-07-2025
- Toronto Star
Former city lawyer who vandalized National Holocaust Monument pleads guilty
OTTAWA - A former City of Ottawa lawyer has pleaded guilty after defacing Canada's National Holocaust Monument. Iain Aspenlieder, 46, was charged last month with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct.
Hamilton Spectator
25-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Former city lawyer who vandalized National Holocaust Monument pleads guilty
OTTAWA - A former City of Ottawa lawyer has pleaded guilty after defacing Canada's National Holocaust Monument. Iain Aspenlieder, 46, was charged last month with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. He appeared in court Friday. Aspenlieder's lawyer Michael Spratt said his client pleaded guilty to one count of mischief for defacing the Holocaust memorial and has been released on bail. Spratt said a sentencing hearing is expected sometime in the fall, with the date still to be determined. On June 9, the words 'FEED ME' were found scrawled in red paint across the face of the monument in downtown Ottawa, with red paint also splashed on other portions of the structure. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
25-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Former city lawyer who vandalized National Holocaust Monument pleads guilty
OTTAWA – A former City of Ottawa lawyer has pleaded guilty after defacing Canada's National Holocaust Monument. Iain Aspenlieder, 46, was charged last month with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000 and harassment by threatening conduct. He appeared in court Friday. Aspenlieder's lawyer Michael Spratt said his client pleaded guilty to one count of mischief for defacing the Holocaust memorial and has been released on bail. Spratt said a sentencing hearing is expected sometime in the fall, with the date still to be determined. On June 9, the words 'FEED ME' were found scrawled in red paint across the face of the monument in downtown Ottawa, with red paint also splashed on other portions of the structure. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025.
