Rookie independent MLA Jordan Kealy has been charged with sexual assault, but says he will prove his innocence.
The BC Prosecution Service reported on Thursday, June 4 that Kealy was charged the previous day in Fort St. John Law Courts with an offence that allegedly took place between Jan. 1-Sept. 20, 2024.
Special prosecutor Gail Barnes was appointed Feb. 9 after a North District Prince George RCMP investigation.
Barnes, a senior Vancouver lawyer, provided legal advice to investigators and conducted charge assessment.
Kealy told Global News that he has no plans to take a leave of absence from serving constituents. He said the allegations involve an adult who is a former family friend.
“I want my constituents to know I’ve done nothing wrong, I’m completely innocent and I’ll prove that in court,” Kealy said.
His next appearance in court is July 6.
Former Peace River Regional District director Kealy was elected in 2024 in Peace River North as a Conservative. He left the party’s caucus in 2025 to sit as an independent in protest of then-leader John Rustad’s expulsion of Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie.
Rustad said she crossed the line by mocking abuse testimony by survivors of Indian residential schools.
Brodie formed the OneBC party, which briefly had official party status in the Legislature. Kealy continued as an independent.
Kealy was in attendance at the Conservative leadership convention on May 30 in Vancouver to support and congratulate new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
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