TORONTO

John Schertzer, the former leader of Toronto Police’s drug squad, is now facing a sexual assault charge.

Schertzer, 57, who owns and manages the trendy Czehoski restaurant, is accused of assaulting a 39-year-old Toronto woman on March 27 inside the restaurant.

“I felt comfortable at the place. I really trusted him. I was leaving at 9 (p.m.) or so,” the alleged victim told the Toronto Sun. “My husband went home from the bar to look after our children.

“I was on the phone chatting with a friend and I paid up to go,” recalled the woman, who works as an administrator. “He offered me a drink and I felt comfortable and I trusted him as we had a friendly rapport before. So I stayed and we chatted at the bar. This is an unknown journey for me.”

This case will return to Old City Hall Courts on May 8.

Schertzer retired from Toronto Police in 2004 after a 25-year career and has since been a successful owner-manager of Czehoski, a hip bar with some critical acclaim for its decor and fine dining.

The alleged victim would not divulge the nature of the assault.

“We have no information to believe there are additional victims,” said Det. Jessica McInnis, the officer in charge of the case.

Schertzer’s lawyer, Peter Brauti, said his client will be fighting the allegations.

“He’s presumed to be innocent and we’ll be vigourously defending him against these allegations,” Brauti said.

Toronto Police spokesman Mark Pugash said no press release was issued on Schertzer’s charge. The decision is based on a variety of factors, including the possibility of other victims as well as protecting the integrity of the still-ongoing probe, said Pugash.

It’s not the first time Schertzer has faced legal problems.

Three years ago, Schertzer and four fellow central field command officers were found guilty of searching a Scarborough drug dealer’s home and then lying about it in court.

But the officers were acquitted of all of the serious allegations that they robbed, beat up dealers and then conspired to cover up their crimes.

The June 2012 was the climaxed of the marathon legal journey that began in January 2004 when the officers were charged.

That journey could wrap as early as Monday when the Ontario Court of Appeal releases its long-awaited decision on the convictions.

The officers’ lawyers are trying to quash the conviction for obstruct justice and perjury charges while the Crown prosecutors appealed the 45-day conditional sentence, or house arrest, imposed by Justice Gladys Pardu in January 2013. Prosecutors initially sought up to four years in custody.

The five officers collectively faced 21 charges, including attempting to obstruct justice, perjury, assault and extortion between 1997 and 2002.

Schertzer, Ned Maodus, 51, Steven Correia, 47, Raymond Pollard, 50, and Joseph Miched, 56, all former central field command drug squad officers, were found guilty of making false notes when they searched the Ho Bing Pang residence at 2466 Eglinton Ave. E. on Feb. 18, 1998 before they acquired a warrant.

The officers were acquitted of beating up, extorting and stealing money from Toronto marijuana dealer Christopher Quigley on April 30 and May 1, 1998.

“They were properly acquitted. They have been vindicated,” said defence lawyer John Rosen, who represented Schertzer at trial.

sam.pazzano@sunmedia.ca