A police officer is suing the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) for $875,000, alleging that the taxpayer-funded broadcaster harassed and misrepresented her in its reporting.

Grus, described by her supporters as a courageous investigator, claims the CBC’s coverage damaged her reputation and invaded her privacy.

According to reporter Jason Unrau in True North, Grus alleges that CBC published false and harmful articles that tarnished her reputation and invaded her privacy. The lawsuit pertains to CBC stories released between March 2022 and December 2023.

These articles detailed Grus’ investigation into potential links between COVID-19 vaccines and infant deaths, which she conducted while working with the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) in the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse (SACA) unit.

Grus is currently facing disciplinary action for discreditable conduct related to her alleged unauthorized investigation. This includes contacting the father of a deceased infant to ask about the mother’s vaccination status without properly documenting the interaction in her notebook.

It was also alleged during a tribunal that Grus failed to consult the coroner’s office, a claim she disputes, attributing it to CBC’s reporting.

The officer further alleges that media leaks from OPS preceded CBC’s articles, suggesting these leaks were part of a broader campaign to discredit her.

Police witnesses, however, testified that the parents of the deceased children were informed before any articles were published.

CBC has denied Grus’ claims, calling the lawsuit baseless. The broadcaster stated that its reporting relied on unnamed sources within OPS and included details from her disciplinary proceedings.

Grus’ lawyer, Bath-Shéba van den Berg, sought to subpoena the CBC reporter to reveal sources, but the tribunal adjudicator denied the request.

Van den Berg has argued that Grus’ investigation into sudden infant deaths was a legitimate attempt to preserve life, referencing adverse events reported in Pfizer’s clinical data. The lawyer claims her client was subjected to workplace bullying and that the media leaks were part of a campaign to harass her.

Grus alleges that CBC’s reporting influenced the charges brought against her and caused significant personal and professional harm. The case raises questions about media accountability and the use of unnamed sources in sensitive investigations.