Jonathan Black-Branch arrested in France for University of Manitoba fraud

Jonathan Black-Branch, a former dean at the University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall school of law, has been arrested in France. He faces extradition to Canada on fraud charges involving the misappropriation of more than $600,000 in public funds.

The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed the arrest and stated that the matter is currently before the French court system. A Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued on March 30, approximately six years after Black-Branch’s spending patterns were first flagged at the university. Black-Branch held his position from 2016 until his abrupt departure in 2020.

Faculty members have expressed a mix of relief and frustration regarding the delay in legal action. Professor Jennifer Schulz noted that the university failed to act to recoup the stolen funds or intervene when Black-Branch sold his Winnipeg residence for $779,900 and fled to the United Kingdom. Staff members have criticized the university leadership for not supporting employees who initially raised concerns about his expenses.