By now you’ve probably heard/read the shitty, shocking news alleging that former Two Chefs & A Table co-owner Allan Bosomworth had a secret camera installed in the washroom at the now closed DTES resturant:

A warrant is out for the arrest of a restaurant co-owner who authorities allege observed or recorded people “in a place in which they could reasonably be expected to be nude.”

Two former employees of the restaurant say they were told by a co-owner not charged in the matter that he discovered a USB-key-sized camera on Dec. 18, 2012 while cleaning around the toilet in the co-ed washroom used by patrons and staff of the now-closed upscale establishment.

Police and the Crown would not comment on the case.

The Crown alleges Allan Bosomworth observed or recorded people “in a place in which they could reasonably be expected to be nude, to expose their genital organs and, or anal region,” according to the indictment and arrest warrant filed Sept. 13, 2013. The documents cite part of section 162 of the Criminal Code.

The alleged offence, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years but has not been proven in court, took place between Dec. 14, 2012 and Dec. 18, 2012, according to the court document.

During the busy Christmas party season, the only bathroom at Two Chefs And A Table, a popular, upscale, 28-seat restaurant on the edge of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, would have been used by hundreds of guests. It was the only private space in the restaurant, and the place where staff routinely changed in and out of their uniforms before and after their shifts.

I just got off the phone with Karl Gregg, the now defunct restaurant’s co-owner (it closed in mid-June after a five year run). He’s holding up as well as you can imagine, despite the barrage of negative attention. The press is naturally in full foam about this (food and alleged perversion being the front page fodder they are), so the following statement – which I imagine was drafted by his lawyer – will start making the rounds later today…

Due to on-going criminal proceedings we are unable to comment on any specifics at this time beyond saying that we, the other two owners of the business, acted quickly and diligently from the very beginning of this incredibly unfortunate situation – from reporting the matter to police and cooperating fully with the investigation, to ensuring that Allan Bosomworth was immediately terminated from any on-site access or responsibilities.

The safety of our staff and customers is always topmost in our minds. Our businesses are part of our community and our customers are our friends. As owners, we are saddened, sickened and devastated by what has occurred but as this matter is now before the courts we have been advised that we are unable to further comment on specifics of this incident until such a time as the criminal proceedings are complete.

What an awful thing. I feel terrible for the former employees and all the past Two Chefs guests who are probably not a little freaked out about this. At the same time, as this whole thing unfolds, I think it’s very important to remember that Karl did the right thing from the get go by contacting the police and telling his staff. He’s a great guy and a terrific chef who has worked really hard throughout his life, so I really hope that his personal reputation doesn’t take too hard a hit because of what his business partner is alleged to have done.