Crown Drops Case Against Federal Public Servant in Shipbuilding Leak Trial

Matthew Matchett, a federal public servant charged with one count of breach of trust for allegedly leaking secret cabinet documents about a contract between the federal government and Chantier Davie shipyard, leaves the Ottawa courthouse during a break in his trial on June 6, 2022. The Canadian Press/ Patrick Doyle

The failed prosecution of vice-admiral Mark Norman loomed large on Thursday as a second federal official accused of leaking cabinet secrets about a $700-million shipbuilding contract walked out of an Ottawa courthouse a free man.

More than three years after RCMP charged him with breach of trust, the Crown announced it was dropping its case against Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency employee Matthew Matchett.