Lawyers for a former Alberta Health Services board member have made explosive claims in court, alleging a coordinated, paid campaign to smear their client and dissuade him from giving testimony in a high-profile wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
Allegations of Intimidation Ahead of Key Testimony
Sandy Edmonstone, who served on the AHS board from November 2023 until January 2025 when the entire board was dismissed, is a potential witness in former CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos's $1.7-million lawsuit against the Alberta government. While not a party to the suit, Edmonstone could be compelled to testify regarding Mentzelopoulos's claim that she was fired without proper authority.
According to court submissions, Edmonstone's legal team argues he has become the target of a deliberate effort to undermine his credibility before he can take the stand. "Mr. Edmonstone has been targeted in an apparent campaign to attack, punish, embarrass, in other words, discredit Mr. Edmonstone before he can give that testimony," lawyer Jordan Bierkos told the Alberta Court of King's Bench.
Rare Court Order Authorized to Uncover Financiers
In a November 2025 hearing, Edmonstone's lawyers successfully argued for an Anton Piller order—an extraordinary legal tool allowing searches without prior notice. The order authorized searches of the residences and electronic devices of two individuals: David Wallace, described as a political fixer, and independent publisher James Di Fiore.
The application centered on a series of podcast-style videos the pair collaborated on over the past six months. The videos, which garnered around 2,000 views each on social media platform X, focused commentary on individuals and allegations linked to Mentzelopoulos's lawsuit. Bierkos contended the remarks in these videos amounted to "targeted punishment and intimidation of a known witness" and risked contempt of court.
The core allegation is that Wallace and Di Fiore were paid to produce this content specifically to discredit Edmonstone. The Anton Piller order aims to secure evidence revealing who may have financed their activities. The hearing was conducted ex parte, meaning the other parties, including Mentzelopoulos's lawyers, the government, and the two men themselves, were not initially present.
Broader Implications for the Justice System
Edmonstone's legal team framed the situation as a direct threat to judicial integrity. "Fundamentally, we say this is an attack on the court's process if witnesses cannot expect to participate in the justice system without fear of harassment and reprisal," Bierkos argued in court.
The case highlights the potential for external campaigns to influence legal proceedings. The use of the rare Anton Piller order underscores the seriousness with which the court viewed the allegations of a funded smear operation aimed at a potential witness. The outcome of the searches and any subsequent findings could have significant ramifications for the wrongful dismissal lawsuit and set a precedent for how courts handle alleged intimidation of witnesses in the digital age.
