WATCH: The community of Burns Lake has been rocked by shocking allegations made against their former mayor. Luke Strimbold is accused of sexual assault in a string of offences. Julia Foy has more.

Send this page to someone via email

The former mayor of Burns Lake and a senior executive with the BC Liberal Party is facing two dozen sex-related charges, including sexual assault and sexual interference.

Story continues below

was the youngest mayor ever elected in B.C. when he took the oath of office in 2011.

After winning re-election in 2014, he resigned in 2016, saying it was to spend more time with family.

WATCH: Former Burns Lake mayor facing sexual assault charges

Until Friday afternoon, he was listed on the BC Liberals website as membership chair for the provincial executive board. His LinkedIn profile also currently lists him as an administrator with E.A. Strimbold Ltd, a family-owned forestry company.

Story continues below

In a media release, the RCMP said the 28-year-old is “charged with numerous counts of sexual assault and related offenses” that are alleged to have taken place in 2016.

WATCH: Former Burns Lake mayor facing sexual assault charges

A spokesperson for the RCMP said they could not comment further on the nature or number of charges, the ages of the alleged victims or on Strimbold’s release status or any conditions he may be under.

Story continues below

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the BC Prosecution Service similarly declined to speak to the details of Strimbold’s case.

“The accused in this matter was arrested and released on a police laid information. The BC Prosecution Service will have no comment while the matter is under charge assessment,” said Daniel McLaughlin.

Mounties said they’re investigating the possibility that there may be more victims.

They’re appealing to anyone believes they’ve been a victim of a crime that involved Strimbold or knows someone who was been to come forward.

In an emailed statement, the BC Liberal Party said it had become “aware of this matter Friday afternoon via social media.”

The party said Strimbold has resigned both as membership chair and as a member of the party.

Story continues below

In early February, BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said his party had no room for sexual misconduct, pointing to the Ensuring Safety and True Equality for All Women policy in his leadership platform.

“It starts off by saying no person should ever have to endure harassment or assault, we should be unquestionably safe in our workplaces, our schools and our community – that’s the core of my belief on this issue,” Wilkinson told CKNW’s The Jill Bennett Show.

Subscribe to updates from Global News Unsubscribe from Global News updates