Grape Fantasy Cops: Former Chief’s Lawsuit, Stiere’s reply, Darr’s case
Originally published in Member News Mar 1 2026
Document 1:
Statement of Claim (Worden Lawsuit)
(Click on Title to Download Original PDF from Court Filings)
Date of Filing: March 2024
Parties: Mike Worden (Plaintiff) vs. Alan Murphy, City of Medicine Hat, Noel Darr, Brent Secondiak, Carissa Witkowski, Sashia Stiere (Defendants)
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The Plaintiff ("Worden") is the former Chief of Police of the Medicine Hat Police Service (the "MHPS"), a position he held from January 4, 2021 until his resignation on or about May 20, 2022.
The City of Medicine Hat is a municipality in Alberta. It employed Worden as Chief of Police as set out above. Worden alleges, inter alia, that the City of Medicine Hat breached the implied terms of its employment contract with Worden as described herein.
The Defendant Alan Murphy is the Chief of Police for MHPS and is named as a Defendant pursuant to the Police Act, RSA 2000, c P-17.
The Defendants Noel Darr ("Darr"), Brent Secondiak ("Secondiak") and Carissa Witkowski ("Witkowski") are individuals who reside in or around Medicine Hat, Alberta and were police officers employed with the MHPS at the material time.
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The Defendant Sashia Stiere ("Stiere") is an individual who resides in or around Medicine Hat, Alberta. At all times material, Stiere was in a romantic relationship with Darr. For the period of approximately August 2021 until November 2021, Stiere was also in a romantic relationship with Worden.
Overview
On or around January 4, 2021, Worden commenced employment with the City of Medicine Hat as the Chief of Police for MHPS. Worden was employed pursuant to a term employment contract that would have expired on January 4, 2026. He earned approximately $225,000 per year.
Prior to his role with MHPS, Worden has served with the Calgary Police Service ("CPS") for 25 years.
From approximately March 2022 until in September 2022, and possibly thereafter, Darr, Secondiak, Witkowski and Stiere (collectively the "Conspirators") acted together to harass Worden, defame Worden and otherwise interfere with Worden's employment relationship with MHPS. They intended to damage Worden's reputation, force him to resign from the MHPS or such other objectives that are known to them and will be proven at a trial of this action (the "Harassment Campaign"). The Harassment Campaign consisted of:
a. attempting to blackmail Worden into resigning from the MHPS;
b. issuing a false complaint to MHPS alleging that Worden used his position as Police Chief to commit sexual misconduct against Stiere and disclosing related information to other members of the MHPS.
c. reporting false statements about Worden to the news media, resulting in the publication of stories that caused material damage to Worden's reputation; and
d. amplifying the damaging news stories on social media to exacerbate Worden's reputational harm.In or around May 2022, the City of Medicine Hat knew or ought to have known that the Conspirators were perpetrating a Harassment Campaign against Worden. The City of Medicine Hat did not take appropriate steps to stop it or to assist in mitigating the harm to Worden's reputation. Accordingly, the City of Medicine Hat shares liability for the harm committed by the Conspirators.
On May 26, 2022, Worden resigned his employment as Chief of Police.
Worden's claim is founded on the following causes of action:
a. injurious falsehood;
b. intentional interference with economic relations;
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c. tort of harassment;
d. defamation;
e. conspiracy;
f. intentional infliction of mental suffering;
g. breach of Worden's employment agreement; and
h. negligence.
The blackmail attempt
On or about March 3, 2022, Secondiak informed Worden that several MHPS employees, who he did not name, were in possession of embarrassing sexual related electronic messages (which he did not share), between Worden and an individual (whom he did not name but Worden later learned was Stiere) (the "Messages"). Secondiak advised Worden that these employees intended to report the Messages to the Medicine Hat Police Commission ("the Commission") and to the Medicine Hat City Counsel unless Worden agreed to resign from the MHPS. Worden became concerned that Secondiak was part of a conspiracy to use the Messages as blackmail to force him to resign (the "Blackmail Attempt"). Worden then notified the Medicine Hat Police Commission ("the Commission") about the Blackmail Attempt and requested that they speak with Secondiak to get further particulars.
The Conspirators harass Worden and destroy his reputation at MHPS
In or about March 2022, Secondiak falsely represented to Darr that in the fall of 2021, a journalist named Teagan Rasche ("Rasche") issued a complaint to the City of Medicine Hat, alleging that Worden harassed her (the "False Complaint").
On or around March 23, 2022, Darr issued a written complaint against Worden to the Commission that included false and injurious statements (the "Complaint"). A copy of the Complaint is attached as Appendix "A". Darr knew or ought to have known that he was obligated to keep the Complaint confidential other than as directed by the Commission. However, Darr disclosed the information related to the Complaint to others within the MHPS throughout the Harassment Campaign.
In April 2022 the Commission engaged a third party to investigate the Complaint (the "Investigation").
In or about May 2022, Rasche advised the Commission that she did not make a harassment complaint.
On or about May 2022, the MHPS informed Worden that the Investigation found no wrongdoing on his part.
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In or about May 2022, Darr disclosed to Witkowski confidential information about the Investigation including the False Complaint. Shortly thereafter, Witkowski informed Secondiak that she planned to report the False Complaint to the Alberta government pursuant to section 46 of the Police Act. Thereafter, Secondiak informed other MHPS employees of Witkowski's plan. The MHPS did not instruct Witkowski to refrain from reporting the False Complaint to the Alberta government.
On or about May 13, 2022, one or more of the Conspirators informed journalist Charles Rusnell that Worden was being investigated for sexual misconduct or such other falsehoods as are known to the Conspirators and will be proven at trial. They disclosed this false information to Mr. Rusnell in a defamatory sense.
On or around May 20, 2022, Worden sent an email to his colleagues at MHPS, advising MHPS that he intended to resign his position as Chief of Police. The effective date of his resignation was May 26, 2022. He later sold his home in Medicine Hat to move back to Calgary. He sold the home at a loss and incurred moving expenses in an amount to be proven at trial.
On or about May 23, 2022, Charles Rusnell informed Worden that that he possessed copies of the Messages and information about the reasons for Worden's resignation, and asked Worden to comment about it. Worden denied the allegation of wrongdoing and explained that he resigned because he felt that the situation had impacted his ability to lead MHPS.
On or around May 25, 2022, Global News published Rusnell's article on its website (the "May 25 Article"), a copy of which is attached as Appendix "B". The May 25 Article is damaging to Worden's reputation amongst other things:
a. MHPS had investigated Worden for being in an improper sexual relationship with a Medicine Hat woman with the pseudonym "Emily"; and
b. Worden instructed "Emily" to deny any relationship between them if it arose during the MHPS investigation and to delete all messages between them.Stiere is the woman referred to as "Emily" in the May 25 Article. Worden never instructed Stiere to delete messages or to lie about their relationship
The MHPS did not take any or adequate steps to mitigate the harm caused to Worden by the May 25 Article.
Shortly after the May 25 Article was published, Darr and Witkowski posted a cartoon image about "bad cops" on social media. They published these posts soon after the May 25 Article to imply that Worden was one of the "bad cops" referenced in the cartoon.
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Sometime after the May 25 Article was published, Darr contacted Tiffany Goodwin, a journalist, to whom he made false statements about Worden in a defamatory sense, including:
a. Worden had been subject to internal discipline and investigation while at CPS;
b. Worden's departure from CPS was involuntary; and
c. such further and other particulars as may be proven at trial.On or about May 28, 2022, Ms. Goodwin informed the Commission that Darr had sought to recruit her to report information about Worden that would tend to damage his reputation. The MHPS did not take appropriate measures to prevent Darr from taking further steps against Worden.
Injurious Falsehood
Darr made false statements about Worden in the Complaint, and to members of the MHPS and the news media.
Darr made false statements about Worden in order to cause harm to his reputation and damage his employment relationship with MHPS (the "Malicious Intent").
The other Conspirators shared Darr's Malicious Intent and issued their own false statements about Worden to members of the MHPS and/or the news media.
Intentional Interference with Economic Relations
The Conspirators actions amount to intentional interference with Worden's economic interests. They used unlawful means to intentionally injure Worden, including, but were not limited to:
a. issuing the Complaint, which they knew or ought to know contained false allegations about Worden that if believed, would cause irreparable harm to his employment relationship;
b. attempting to blackmail Worden to induce him to resign;
c. reporting false information to members of the news media to encourage reporting of news stories that would damage Worden's reputation in the community; and
d. such further and other particulars as may be proven at trial.Notwithstanding that Worden was exonerated of the allegations in the Complaint, his reputation within the MHPS was severely damaged, and as a result he was effectively forced to resign from his position as Chief of Police. Further, Worden's reputation in the broader police community has been damaged, hindering his ability to obtain employment in his field.
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The Conspirators engaged in repeated inappropriate communication and harassing behavior towards Worden by:
a. disclosing false, demeaning and/or insulting statements about Worden to MHPS employees and members of the news media;
b. posting disparaging statements about Worden on social media;
c. encouraging members of the news media to continue reporting on Worden; and
d. such further and other particulars as may be proven at trial.The Conspirators knew or ought to have known that their conduct was unwelcome.
The Conspirators humiliated Worden, impugned his dignity, harmed his health and harmed his reputation. Such harm was reasonably foreseeable and caused intentionally.
Defamation
The Complaint and the Conspirators' false statements made to journalists and issued on social media as particularized above amount to defamation (the "Defamatory Statements"). The Conspirators issued the Defamatory Statements with the malicious intent to bring Worden into ridicule, hatred and contempt, and were made knowing that they were false or in careless disregard as to whether they were true or not.
The Conspirators knew or ought to know that Worden's reputation was of significance to him as a veteran police officer. His professional standing is founded and maintained on the basis of his good reputation, his integrity and his general trustworthiness. The Defamatory Statements were made by the Conspirators in a calculated manner to undermine Worden's professional character.
Conspiracy
The Conspirators worked together as set out above with the shared intent to cause harm to Worden.
Intentional Infliction of Mental Suffering
The Conspirators' aforementioned conduct was unjustified, was calculated to produce harm, and did in fact produce harm and amounts to the tort of intentional infliction of mental suffering.
The Conspirators knew or ought to have known that their actions would cause harm of the kind experienced by Worden.
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It was an implied term of Worden's employment agreement with the Defendant City of Medicine Hat that the City would provide Worden with a safe work environment.
The City of Medicine Hat breached Worden's employment agreement by failing to provide a reasonably safe work environment. The particulars of these breaches include:
a. failure to take appropriate action against Secondiak and Darr after the Blackmail Attempt;
b. failure to take appropriate steps to intervene after Secondiak, Darr and Witkowski were spreading false information about Worden within the MHPS;
c. failure to take appropriate steps to stop Secondiak, Darr and Witkowski from harassing Worden in the workplace; and
d. such further and other particulars as may be proven at trial.
Negligence
The City of Medicine Hat owed Worden a duty of care to investigate allegations of inappropriate behavior properly and competently, and to make a reasonable effort to prevent or mitigate the reputational harm that Worden was suffering. The MHPS breached their duty of care as follows:
a. failing to investigate harassment perpetrated by Darr, Secondiak and Witkowski against Worden;
b. failing to investigate Darr after receiving the aforementioned information from Ms. Goodwin about Darr's misconduct;
c. failing to correct the public record after they learned of Darr's conduct; and
d. such further and other particulars as may be proven at trial.
Injuries
The Defendants' misconduct has caused Worden to suffer from health problems, and has destroyed his professional reputation as a police officer. Worden has not found work as a police officer since.
Remedy sought:
Worden seeks judgment for damages against the Defendants jointly and severally, or in such proportions as this Honourable Court assesses, as follows:
a. non-pecuniary damages for reputational harm and personal injury in the amount of $250,000 or such other amount as this Honourable Court deems just;
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b. damages for past and future loss of income from the City of Medicine Hat in the amount of $560,000 or such amount as this Honourable Court deems just;
c. damages for loss of future income in the amount of $1,000,000 or such other amount as this Honourable Court deems just;
d. special damages for Worden's out of pocket expenses incurred in selling his Medicine Hat home, for mitigating his damages, for cost of care and such other expenses as will be proven at trial, in the amount of $40,000 or such other amount as this Honourable Court deems just;
e. aggravated and punitive damages in such amounts as this Honourable Court deems just;
f. prejudgment interest pursuant to the Judgment Interest Act. RSA 2000, c. J- 1, and the regulations thereunder;
g. costs and disbursements incurred in this action in amounts to be assessed and determined by this Honourable Court; and
h. such further and other relief as this Court deems just.
NOTICE TO THE DEFENDANTS
You only have a short time to do something to defend yourself against this claim:
20 days if you are served in Alberta
1 month if you are served outside Alberta but in Canada
2 months if you are served outside Canada
You can respond by filing a statement of defence or a demand for notice in the office of the clerk of the Court of King's Bench at Medicine Hat, Alberta, AND serving your statement of defence or a demand for notice on Worden's address for service.
WARNING
If you do not file and serve a statement of defence or a demand for notice within your time period, you risk losing the lawsuit automatically. If you do not file, or do not serve, or are late in doing either of these things, a court may give a judgment to Worden against you.
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APPENDIX A
MW arrived at MHPS and was often referred to as, "A breath of fresh air". MW showed great promise in his intent and ability to improve the morale of the workplace. I was a complete supporter and had full confidence in that ability, based on observations, discussions, meetings, and the expressed views of MW, who demonstrated a public professional demeanour and constant expression of workplace fairness, equality, diversity, inclusion, accountability, and high moral standing. More specifically, MW acknowledged a need for increased opportunities for female members and clearly expressed intolerance of any discriminatory bias or demeaning comments toward those females, and quickly became a welcomed symbol of female empowerment, which was embraced by membership majority.
However, I was in shock and deeply conflicted months ago when I learned MW was overtly using his very public social media persona, as Chief of MHPS, and position of leadership and authority in our community to initiate inappropriate sexual interactions with local females. It was not only the salacious content of his messaging to local females that was shocking. This is not simply a matter of extra- marital activity, which would have been his own private business.
The misuse of MW's position of authority to gain the trust of unsuspecting females, and the deliberate mannerisms and grooming techniques of MW's communications are akin to an instruction manual for sexual predators. MW initiates contact with previously unknown young females as MW peruses social media accounts, before deploying an intentional ruse to enquire about innocuous subject matter easily viewed on a female's social media profile, slowly 'testing the waters'. Once a hook is set, MW will invite the females from his "Chief of MHPS" account (displaying the Teepee and MHPS Crest - the same profile used to befriend the majority of MHPS membership) to a covert social media account using a pseudonym, or fake name, to minimize the risk of detection of elevated activity. MW will also routinely change the pseudonym account in attempt to maintain anonymity. MW engaged in repeated requests for sexual activity (ie. a "blow job" in exchange for gym training time, glory hole, naked massage, sexual favors etc.), and divulged MW's own personal detailed experiences that fall well beyond societal norms, including voyeurism, online sex acts, group sex, cross- dressing, sado- masochism, bi- sexual acts and sodomy. MW also requested specific sex acts that will not be disclosed here, as I view those details as inflammatory that would cause unequivocal bias.
To clarify, these are not messages taken out of context, or a conversation where MW was encouraged to divulge personal information. On the contrary, it is clear as MW provides increasing details in his messages, he asks the female(s) if he has gone too far or whether the female(s) believe his revelations are too intense, as he attempts to encourage the female(s) to provide their own details. MW clearly dominates, controls, and steers the conversation, slowly pushing the subject matter and boundary further and further.
Most disturbing of MW's disclosed communications is his predilection toward sexual violence, articulated by MW himself as "CNC - Consensual Non- Consensual", often referred to as 'rape- fantasy'. MW explained that "Many women have mock attack fantasies, like consensual non- consensual", and went on to warn that, "CNC is risky - you need to draft an agreement" (to avoid culpability/sexual assault allegations). MW provided details and desires of 'rape- fantasy' encounters. To be clear, rape- fantasy is an obvious precursor to criminal sexual behaviour as it mimics and simulates an actual sexual assault with violence.
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It cannot be viewed as anything other than completely disgusting and abhorrent that MW, who publicly stands alongside community partners including The Women's Shelter, International Women in Policing, and International Women's Day, who publicly detests any suggestion of gender discrimination or any type of violence against women, who warns the membership against any demeaning gender- based comment, actually implicitly expresses and maintains the view that women sexually fantasize about being raped and physically forced to commit sex acts.
As police officers, we often examine post- offence conduct to assist in a determination of culpability and intent of an offender. In this case, once MW was recently confronted, MW made denials and minimizations, only to contact the involved female(s) immediately thereafter to confront and intimidate them regarding information revealed, lying to the female(s) about physical proof MW claimed to have in attempt to coerce a confession. MW then deleted his pseudonym social media accounts in attempt to cover the evidence of his activities. Those pseudonym accounts were linked to multiple local MH women.
As stated, MW's personal sexual lifestyle is not up for criticism or examination, but the manner in which MW uses his public social media profile, community title and overt position of authority to gain advantage and trust of local females to illicit a sexual relationship is completely unacceptable. When MW initiates a sexual interaction openly using the public position MW has, MW cannot then claim a veil of privacy to the further conversation, regardless of the consent of the other party. If a traditional heterosexual male had used his professional law enforcement social media account to initiate contact with members of the public, and groomed tax- paying young sisters and daughters of our community, using his position of trust, leadership and authority in effort to entice a sexual relationship, that member would be terminated, and certainly would not simply be given an opportunity to resign on their own timeline.
But most detestable, are MW's views promoting rape- fantasy and sexual violence, which are intolerable as a police officer. When the female membership of MHPS learn that MW, their biggest promoter of equality and fairness, espouses the view that women fantasize about being raped, they will be outraged that they were not informed immediately, as will the public, and there will be a demand for answers if there is any delay in the decisive and necessary action deemed to have been required by the MHPC.
What motivated me to step forward? Despite the clear risk of career suicide, it was the right thing to do. This was an extremely difficult decision for me personally, as I had hoped the information came to light naturally. It did not and other senior members that I confided in encouraged me to step forward. To allow the fraudulent facade to continue is a complete disrespect to the community, and especially to the female members of MHPS who are looking to MW as a bastion of hope for better opportunities.
What do I hope for? I would have hoped that MW would publicly conclude that living in MH just did not work out as planned, and that the best choice for him personally was to return to his wife and the family home in Calgary, to avoid the embarrassment to himself and the Service, as MHPS has clearly taken enough public criticism lately for off- duty conduct.
Document 2:
Statement of Defence (Sashia Stiere)
(Click on Title to Download Original PDF from Court Filings)
Date of Filing: February 2025 (as referenced in the news article)
Parties: Mike Worden (Plaintiff) vs. Alan Murphy, City of Medicine Hat, Noel Darr, Brent Secondiak, Carissa Witkowski, Sashia Stiere (Defendants)
Filing Party: Sashia Stiere (Defendant)
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2408 00103
COURT OF KING'S BENCH OF ALBERTA
MEDICINE HAT
BETWEEN:
MIKE WORDEN
Plaintiff
and -
ALAN MURPHY (CHIEF OF MEDICINE HAT POLICE SERVICE), CITY OF MEDICINE HAT, NOEL DARR, BRENT SECONDIAK, CARISSA WITKOWSKI and SASHIA STIERE
Defendants
DOCUMENT: STATEMENT OF DEFENCE OF THE DEFENDANT, SASHIA STIERE
ADDRESS FOR SERVICE AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF PARTY FILING THIS DOCUMENT
TODD E. HERTER
Courtyard Law Centre
499 - 1st Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0A7
Phone: (403)- 526- 2600
Fax: (403) 526- 3217
File No: 05- 03489
Statement of facts relied on:
The Defendant Sashia Steier ("Steier") admits the allegations set out in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Statement of Claim.
Except as otherwise admitted herein, Steier denies each and every other allegation set out in the Statement of Claim.
Steier is a resident of Medicine Hat, Alberta, who has never been employed by the City of Medicine Hat (the "City") or the Medicine Hat Police Service (the "MHPS").
Steier had consensual sexual relations with Noel Darr ("Darr") on multiple occasions around 2005 and 2006 and, after their sexual relations, Steier and Darr remained acquaintances of each other to and including May of 2022.
Steier and Mike Worden ("Worden") exchanged messages beginning sometime after August 4, 2021.
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Steier had consensual sexual relations with Worden on three occasions beginning on November 9, 2021.
In late 2021 or early 2022, Steier advised Darr that she had been messaging with Worden and that some messages from Worden to Steier were disturbing and creepy.
In late 2021 or early 2022, at Darr's request, Steier provided screen shots of some messages from Worden to Steier that she thought were disturbing and creepy to Darr.
Without Steier's prior consent or authorization, Darr provided some or all of these screen shots of some messages between Steier and Worden to third parties.
In March of 2022, Worden advised Steier in a telephone conversation, in part, that:
a. he was the subject of an investigation initiated by the Medicine Hat Police Commission (the "MHPC") because of his consensual sexual relations with Steier (the "Investigation");
b. his phone and computer had been taken from him; and
c. his phone calls were being tapped.In March of 2022, in that same telephone conversation and in subsequent telephone conversations, Worden also demanded that Steier:
a. delete the messages between Worden and Steier; and
b. lie about the consensual sexual relations between Worden and Steier if she was contacted by someone as a part of the Investigation.As demanded by Worden, Steier deleted many of the messages between Worden and Steier.
Despite the demands by Worden, Steier did not delete all of the messages between Worden and Steier.
However, Worden removed some the messages between Worden and Steier, particularly the messages between Worden and Steier on Facebook.
At the request of Darr, as part of the Investigation, Steier was interviewed by and answered questions asked of her by Scott Doran of Veritas Solutions, who was the third party engaged by the MHPC to conduct the Investigation.
Despite the demands by Worden, Steier did not lie to Scott Doran of Veritas Solutions about the consensual sexual relations between Worden and Steier.
On or about May 20, 2022, Worden announced that he was resigning his employment with the MHPS effective May 26, 2022 (the "Resignation").
After being advised of the Resignation by both Darr and Charles Rusnell of Global News, at the request of Darr and after being promised anonymity by Charles Rusnell, Steier was interviewed by and answered questions asked of her by Charles Rusnell about Worden and, despite the demands by Worden, Steier provided Charles Rusnell screen shots of some
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messages between Worden and Steier.
19. Steier denies acting together with Darr, Brent Secondiak and Carissa Witkowski, or any of them, to harass Worden, defame Worden and otherwise interfere with Worden's employment relationship with MHPS, including, but not limited to, with the intention to damage Worden's reputation or force him to resign from the MHPS.
20. Steier denies making any false statements about Worden to the news media or on social media, or both, including to Charles Rusnell of Global News.
Any matters that defeat the claim of the Plaintiff:
Steier denies that her conduct or actions were wrongful and the cause of wrongdoing to Worden.
Worden's actions and conduct alone, including, but not limited to, Worden's consensual sexual relations with Steier and some of the messages that Worden sent to Steier caused Worden to be humiliated, brought Worden into ridicule, hatred and contempt, undermined Worden's professional character, damaged Worden's reputation in the Medicine Hat community and the broader police community and caused Worden to resign from his employment as Chief of the MHPS.
In the alternative, Worden's actions and conduct, including, but not limited to, Worden's consensual sexual relations with Steier and some of the messages that Worden sent to Steier, contributed to Worden being humiliated, Worden being brought into ridicule, hatred and contempt, Worden's professional character being undermined, Worden's reputation in the Medicine Hat community and the broader police community being damaged and Worden resigning from his employment as Chief of the MHPS.
Steier denies any egregious and bad faith conduct or actions to Worden, whether while Worden was employed by the City or after the Resignation.
Steier denies that her conduct or actions caused Worden to suffer damages or loss, including, but not limited to, as alleged in the Statement of Claim or otherwise.
In the alternative, if the conduct and actions of Steier did cause Worden to suffer damages or loss as alleged in the Statement of Claim or otherwise, which is not admitted but denied, such damages or loss sought by Worden are excessive and remote.
In the further alternative, if the conduct and actions of Steier did cause Worden to suffer damages or loss as alleged in the Statement of Claim or otherwise, which is not admitted but denied, such damages or loss sought by Worden are unwarranted and, specifically, Steier denies that Worden is entitled to aggravated or punitive damages, or both, from Steier because Steier's conduct or actions do not entitle Worden to or warrant judgment against Steier for punitive damages or aggravated damages, or both, in any amount of money.
In the further alternative, if Worden suffered damages or loss as alleged in the Statement of Claim or otherwise, which is not admitted but denied, Worden failed to take reasonable steps to mitigate such damages or loss.
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In the further alternative, if Worden suffered damages or loss as alleged in the Statement of Claim or otherwise, which is not admitted but denied, Worden's conduct and actions contributed to such damages or loss.
Steier pleads and relies upon the Defamation Act, R.S.A. 2000, c.D-7, as amended.
Remedy sought:
Steier requests the dismissal of the Statement of Claim as against Steier.
Steier requests that Worden pay Steier's costs of this action on an enhanced basis given that the Statement of Claim:
a. alleges falsely that Steier was not instructed by Worden to delete messages and lie about their relationship;
b. alleges falsely that Steier made false statements about Worden to the news media or on social media, or both, including to Charles Rusnell of Global News;
c. alleges wrongly that Steier's conduct and actions, in part, caused Worden to suffer from health problems and destroyed his professional reputation;
d. alleges wrongly that Steier's conduct and actions, in part, caused Worden damages and loss;
e. claims excessive and unwarranted damages; and
f. claims excessive and unwarranted aggravated and punitive damages without any basis therefore.
Breakdown
This is a complex legal dispute stemming from the short-lived tenure of Mike Worden as Chief of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS).
The Core Dispute: Former Chief Mike Worden alleges he was the victim of a "harassment campaign" by senior MHPS officers (Noel Darr, Brent Secondiak, Carissa Witkowski) and a civilian, Sashia Stiere, that forced him to resign. He is suing them and the City of Medicine Hat for $1.85 million.
Worden's Allegations: He claims the group conspired to force him out by:
Attempting to blackmail him with private, sexual messages exchanged with Stiere.
Filing a false and damaging complaint against him (written by Darr) containing graphic and defamatory allegations.
Leaking information to the media, leading to a damaging Global News article.
The City of Medicine Hat failed to protect him or stop the harassment.
Stiere's Defense: She admits to the sexual relationship with Worden but denies being part of any conspiracy. Her key claims are:
Worden instructed her to delete messages and lie to investigators, which she partially did.
She found Worden's messages "disturbing and creepy" and shared screenshots with Darr, her ex-partner, but did not authorize him to share them further.
She only spoke to the media after Worden resigned, at Darr's request, and was truthful.
Criminal Charges: Const. Noel Darr is facing a separate criminal charge of obstructing justice (witness tampering) dating back to the period of the alleged harassment campaign. This charge is believed to be directly connected to this dispute.
Timeline of Noel Darr's Alleged Involvement & Current Situation
2005-2006: Darr has a consensual sexual relationship with Sashia Stiere. They remain acquaintances afterward.
August - November 2021: Worden and Stiere exchange messages and have a brief consensual sexual relationship.
Late 2021 / Early 2022: Stiere tells Darr that Worden's messages to her are "disturbing and creepy." At Darr's request, she provides him with screenshots. Darr later shares these screenshots with others without her consent.
March 3, 2022: Brent Secondiak allegedly attempts to blackmail Worden into resigning, using the messages as leverage.
March 23, 2022: Noel Darr files a formal, highly damaging complaint against Worden with the Medicine Hat Police Commission. The complaint includes graphic allegations about Worden's sexual conduct and describes him as acting like a "sexual predator."
April 2022: An independent investigation into Darr's complaint is launched by the Police Commission.
May 2022: Worden is cleared of any wrongdoing by the investigation.
Mid-May 2022: Worden alleges Darr and others leak information to journalist Charles Rusnell.
May 20, 2022: Worden announces his resignation.
May 25, 2022: Global News publishes Rusnell's article featuring "Emily" (Stiere) and the sexual messages, causing major reputational damage to Worden.
After May 25, 2022: Worden alleges Darr contacts a local journalist, Tiffany Goodwin, to make further false, defamatory statements about his past with the Calgary Police Service. Darr and Witkowski also post "bad cops" cartoons on social media.
May 28, 2022: Journalist Tiffany Goodwin informs the Police Commission that Darr tried to recruit her to report negative stories about Worden.
July 2024: Brent Secondiak resigns from MHPS.
March 2024: Worden files his $1.85 million lawsuit, naming Darr as a key conspirator.
February 2025: Sashia Stiere files her Statement of Defence, confirming she gave Darr the screenshots but denying she was part of a conspiracy and stating Worden asked her to lie.
July 8, 2025: Edmonton Police Service swears a criminal charge against Noel Darr for obstructing justice. The charge alleges that between February 2022 and November 2023, Darr attempted to dissuade a witness from giving evidence "by threats, bribes or other corrupt means." The charge is believed to be connected to this case.
July 7, 2025: Darr is arrested.
August 27, 2025: Darr makes his first court appearance on the criminal charge.
September 24, 2025: Darr's next court appearance is scheduled.
October 23, 2025: A different MHPS officer, Const. Chan Lee, is charged with assault with a weapon in a separate incident.
January 30, 2026: News reports indicate Darr is scheduled to enter a plea on the indictable criminal charge on February 10, 2026.
Darr's Current Situation:
Noel Darr is a constable with the MHPS facing a serious indictable criminal charge of obstructing justice.
