WINNIPEG — The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has dismissed an instructor and photographer who is reportedly under a police investigation over nude photos of dancers.
The ballet company announced Thursday it had parted ways with Bruce Monk, who was named by Maclean's magazine as being under investigation for allegedly taking nude and semi-nude photos of teenage female students in the 1980s and '90s.
Police confirm they are investigating photographs taken of several potentially underage people, but note that Canada's child pornography laws have changed since the images were taken.
Officers would not name the suspect in their investigation.
Ballet executive director Jeff Herd says the company learned of the police probe in January, Monk was put on paid leave the next day, and is now no longer with the company.
Attempts to reach Monk were not immediately successful.
Herd says the Royal Winnipeg Ballet had not heard of any concerns prior to police contacting them in January.
Maclean's says four women have come forward with concerns that the photographs may be circulating.
The magazine reports one former student helped police investigate Monk by contacting him.
Herd said Thursday the ballet company is co-operating with authorities.
"What we've been told is this has been investigated and as far as we know (the incidents) were not on our property," he said.
"We became aware of the investigation on Jan 7. On Jan. 8, Bruce was put on administrative paid leave while the police did their investigation, which I believe is ongoing."
