Sex case forces rethink of troop morale tours

one passenger boarded the flight with a 40-ounce bottle of alcohol and others appeared to be already intoxicated before getting on the aircraft.

Excessive drinking is common on such morale tours, according to sources familiar with the junkets.

In contrast, military personnel deploying on international missions are not allowed alcohol on Canadian Forces flights.

Williams’ lawyer, Michael Lacy, said it is alleged his client, “inappropriately touched the complainant over clothing on the buttocks while on a CAF morale tour.”

The complainant was a female flight attendant on board the flight.

“Tiger denies any criminal wrongdoing and is confident officer in the Canadian Forces — was also on the December flight but was not aware the alleged incident happened, according to the military.

The Team Canada tours involve organized visits to the troops by entertainers, artists, athletes, and media personalities. They usually involve about 20 people, Le Bouthillier said.

Participants volunteer their time. The initiative started in 2006 and there are about two such trips a year.

Williams has participated in 14 such morale trips, including to Afghanistan.

“Tiger has a documented and proud history of participating in CAF morale tours and has been an enthusiastic supporter of our troops,” Lacy said. “He looks forward to continuing his volunteer efforts when this matter is disposed of.”

Le Bouthillier said the victim of the alleged sex assault was flown home early on a commercial flight so as “to distance” the individual from the accused. Four flight attendants were flown home to Canada on a commercial aircraft at a cost of $6,500 per ticket.

Le Bouthillier said Williams, “was allowed to continue on with the rest of the group to ensure sufficient distance from the victim, noting as well that he was not charged at the time and it was a fluid situation.”

Williams played in a morale-boosting hockey game which was promoted on social media by the Canadian Embassy in Latvia. He later flew back to Canada on a military flight.

Williams, 64, was an NHL enforcer who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings. He retired in 1988.