‘Shocking Turn of Events’: Three Jewish Owners of Winnipeg Restaurant Charged with Faking Anti-Semitic Attack

‘It is deplorable that anyone would make false allegations of antisemitism, especially claims of such a serious nature, for any kind of gain’

By Scott Billeck | 24 April 2019

NATIONAL POST — What was first believed to be a possible anti-Semitic attack against a Jewish-owned cafe turns out to have been staged by the three owners of the Corydon Avenue restaurant, Winnipeg police say.

All three owners were arrested and charged with public mischief after investigators determined there was evidence of a crime at BerMax Caffe and Bistro, just not one that was hate-fuelled.

“I am hugely disappointed and, frankly, angry that this family has used hate and racism in such a disingenuous way,” Winnipeg police chief Danny Smyth said. “In doing so, they have allowed cynicism to creep into this discussion. Cynicism that trivializes genuine victims of hate. Cynicism that risks reinforcing stereotypes that the Jewish community here locally, and throughout the world, have fought hard to dispel.”

BerMax reported a robbery at their location in the 1800 block of Corydon last Thursday. Police said the place had been trashed, a woman had been sent to hospital and anti-Semitic graffiti had been painted throughout the restaurant.

Smyth said he had no indication of a motive on Wednesday.

Const. Rob Carver said during a press conference last week that he had never seen a hate crime incident quite like this one. […]